Viking Rinda Review

France's Finest, Paris to Normandy Half -- It Really Was !

Review for Europe River Cruise on Viking Rinda
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TJB71
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Apr 2017
Cabin: Veranda Superior

We decided to see France in style and comfort, and we certainly did!

- We arrived at Charles de Gaule at 9 AM on Easter Sunday, and were met by a Viking driver in a black Mercedes--just for us. Then, off to the pre-cruise hotel, the 5-star (in my view) Hotel Rochester Champs Elysees, Paris. This hotel, on Rue La Boetie, is perfectly situated: 1/2 block to a bakery, 1/2 block to an ATM, 1/2 block from the Saint Phillipe du Roule metro stop (get the 10 metro/bus ride carnet pack), and 1/2 block to St. Phillipe Church for Easter morning services! The Rochester staff is helpful and very accommodating, the rooms perfect, and the morning breakfast was great. Note to Viking HQ: keep this hotel in your stable of Paris hotels--and at the top of the list!!

- The provided Viking Walking tour the next day of the Bastille-St Paul-Hotel de Ville areas and the Jewish Quarter were outstanding. Our Swedish-American-Parisian tour guide was as informative as he was hilarious. That night we opted for 4-hour evening dinner on the Seine with Bateaux Mouches. The sun set as we began the cruise, and the lighted Eiffel Tower at 10 PM is spectacular. The next day we took at full day bicycle tour of Versailles town and market, the Palace gardens and Palace itself with Fat Tire Tours. I cannot imagine a better tour of Versailles.

Cabin Review

Veranda Superior

Cabin A

First time in 4 years I have given Viking a "poor" review of any type. I am a dedicated Viking customer, and have referred many friends to this company. So why a Poor review? For the first 2 days on the Viking Rinda the toilets did not flush in our stateroom "on demand"...usually the flush mechanism worked about 5-10 minutes after the mechanical handle was moved. AND, we had NO hot water for showers on our level for 3 days. I know the staff and ship engineer was trying to rectify the situation, and finally the "right part" appeared. Why did it take 3 days to get the correct part from Viking Logistics? Finally, no real apology or explanation for 2 days. Very disappointing maintenance effort from a Company that I respect. Oh, they did offer us a bottle of wine on our last night, as we were packing. Too little, too late. Still, the cuise was outstanding!!

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