The Viking cruise line has it figured out. We arrived in Amsterdam on Friday a couple of days early to enjoy the city before joining our friends for a trip on the Rhine river. From the second we got off the plane, Viking had us covered. A Viking representative met us at customs and escorted us to our driver who took us to our hotel where we were met by another Viking representative who helped us get checked-in and provided us with an itinerary of things to see in Amsterdam. Saturday morning our Viking representative provided a short tour of Amsterdam. On Sunday, the day of our departure, our Viking representative made sure we got on the bus along with our luggage. When we arrived at our boat, another representative met us at the dock and escorted us to our room along with our luggage.

We set sail Sunday evening for an eight-day cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. The entire trip was very enjoyable and memorable. Every day we stopped at a different city that we could tour on our own or with a Viking guide. The crew on the Kara did a fantastic job of ensuring that we were well cared for morning, noon, and night. Every crew member I met was very friendly and after a couple of days, they knew your name, which is amazing. Every meal was very excellent, and they would accommodate special requests if possible. It was good that I was walking a lot each day, or I would have gained a few unwanted pounds. One of the great things about the Viking river cruise is there were only 175 people on our boat, which is their typical sailing capacity. I have been on the large cruise ships where it feels like you are living in a small city and every place you go on the boat is met by standing in line waiting for your turn.

At the end of our trip, we also chose to spend a couple of extra days in Switzerland, which Viking accommodated. Our Viking representative made sure we got on the bus. Another representative narrated the short trip from the boat to our hotel. Upon arriving at our hotel another Viking representative was waiting for our arrival, and she helped us with our check-in. She provided a walking tour of Lucerne, and she remained in the hotel until our departure two days later. She helped us get on the departure bus where another Viking representative was waiting to take us to the airport. Upon arrival at the airport, another Viking representative met our bus and then escorted each couple to their airline. From start to finish Viking made sure our trip was a pleasant experience. Read more