We selected this cruise after taking advice that the Danube was a great first time river cruise and had heard good things from other Viking customers. The cruise began the day of my 65th birthday and we spent a night in Nuremberg before the cruise embarkation. Everything went smoothly. The Cabin was good and the Crew very friendly and helfpul. The initial briefing was good and afterward we had a superb dinner. The Chef was Carlito and he and his staff did a fine job all week. Meals were served at the table and I much preferred this to the Buffet service you often find on cruises where there is a temptation to eat too much. Waiters and waitresses were prompt and efficient. There was a regular menu, special menus for the day and a regional menu which we opted for most of the time. Beer and wine were free at Lunch and Dinner. The cooking was of a high standard.

About 70% of the passengers were from the US with perhaps 15% from the UK and another 10% from Canada. We were in a very select group from Europe. Everyone was friendly. Most people seemed to fall into the 55 - 75 age group and mostly couples. Entertainment was provided in the lounge in the evening, but we are not lounge sorts of people. I heard that the entertainment was good. Not any fitness facilities, but the daily walks provided exercise.

The boat went from Nuremberg to Regensburg, Passau, Krems, Vienna and Budapest. A tour was included at each stop and there were optional tours at various prices. The tour director was Mario and he did a very good job with a briefing and often a talk on a particular topic before dinner each evening. The tour guides were good and you had a radio with an earphone for the tours. Mobility within this age group can vary a lot and after the first day we had different designated groups: easy, regular and enhanced for the tours. Stops on the walking tours usually had seating which was appreciated. You only had to walk about 15 minutes before a stop and comfort breaks were arranged. We visited Nuremberg, Regensburg, Krems, Vienna and Budapest. For us the best days were at Nuremberg and Budapest and the tour of Gottweig Abbey in Austria although all were good. On the evening in Budapest we had a special cruise to see Budapest at night. Beautiful Read more