Viking Rolf Review

Retirement Celebration

Review for Europe River Cruise on Viking Rolf

My wife and I were looking for a memorable trip to celebrate our recent retirements. Our Viking River Cruise from Paris to Normandy proved to be the perfect solution. We chose to extend the trip with the 3 day Paris pre-package. From the minute we were met at the airport Viking provided exactly what was advertised, a worry free trip. We stayed at the Rochester Hotel which is a minutes walk from the Champs Elysee, the metro and many attractions. The hotel was beautiful, spacious and well provisioned. Breakfast was delicious, with everything one would want to start the day (European and American). We especially enjoyed sitting in the cozy bar each evening, meeting our co-travelers and talking to Vincent, the bar tender. The itinerary in Paris included a walking tour with metro instruction as we visited Le Marais with the ritzy Place du Voge and the Jewish Quarter. We also visited Montmartre with it's sweeping views of Paris from it's perch above the city. The tours were fantastic and helped us to orient to the city so that we were able to easily get around during our ample free time. It was fun to try the local food, wine and delicious patisseries. We found the Parisians to be extremely accomodating and friendly.

Movement to the ship, docked in Le Pecq a Paris suburb, was again seamless and we were greeted by the amazing Rolf staff. One cannot help but notice the expert leadership and training provided by Viking as we always felt a general happiness/professionalism from the entire team. This happiness magically extends to the passengers, making for a refreshing feeling of civility so missing on some of the larger cruise ships. We have to acknowledge MiMi the cruise director who is a dynamo with her finger on the pulse of not only her guests needs but the smooth functioning of the crew ad tour guides. From here, every excursion: St. Germain en Laye, Rouen, Monet's Garden, Normandy, Les Andelys, Versailles and Malmaison were led by licensed tour guides on comfortable motor coaches. It was nice to have the organized tour in each town and then to have time to explore and shop on our own. Everyone should try the French Chocolates with award winning shops at each port. The food on the Rolf was memorably good. The week went by way too fast and we were sorry to leave the ship and all of our many new friends. My husband and I decided to extend our trip to the Loire Valley on our own and Viking graciously helped us with transportation to the train station. The flight home was smooth as well. We are planning our next Viking Cruise for next year to Japan and China!

Cabin Review

Cabin French Balcony

The French balcony was perfect for us, plenty of room. We could almost touch the swans that paddled by our window.

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