The timing was perfect for celebrating our anniversary, and we had never visited any of the sites along the way, including Amsterdam - so the Rhine Getaway was our choice! Viking made everything so painless - unheard of for international travel these days! We were met at the airport, where our luggage was whisked away and we were escorted to the ship. Since we arrived early, our stateroom wasn't ready yet, but we were encouraged to visit the dining room to have some lunch in the meantime. Our lovely lunch, with friendly people, was indicative of every meal while on the ship! Our cabin was perfect - small, but plenty big for our needs - after all, who wants to "hang out" in the cabin when there's a ship to explore and new friends to make?!
We had a wonderful guided one-hour tour of Amsterdam that first afternoon - unexpected, but so appreciated! It, too, was typical of every tour on our trip - every tour guide was friendly and super-well-informed! We returned in time for a little power nap before the cocktail hour in the lounge. Joe and Adrien, the bartenders, were such fun that we ended up sitting at the bar, enjoying their banter, and listening to the talented pianist every evening before heading to a fabulous meal. Dinners were leisurely and enjoyable - no assigned seatings, like on bigger ships - on Viking you see a table with a few empty seats and lots of friendly faces, and voila! - new friends! The service is fantastic, the food outstanding, and the wine both delicious and plentiful! After dinner offered time back in the lounge, or up on the deck, enjoying the views and conversation. A couple of evenings offered other entertainment, but after a wonderful day of sightseeing we rarely felt the need for more!
Shore excursions were well planned, interesting, and fun! Again, every tour guide was local, and offered information about the area that books never could! Cologne was my least favorite shore excursion, as it is a modern city - completely rebuilt after WWII. That takes nothing away from our guide, who was both informative and entertaining! Heidelberg and Strasbourg were my personal favorite ports, although our docking spot in Strasbourg was very far from the city, and required busses in both directions, and pick-up in a different spot from drop-off.
Always clean and ready for us upon our return, be it from breakfast, a day of sightseeing, or after dinner, when we would find the room ready for sleep and a copy of the next day's itinerary. I loved the toiletries provided, and the heated bathroom floor!
This is a charming village we visited independently with other cruisers, in late afternoon. We stopped for a drink at an outdoor cafe, and found the waitress friendly and helpful in choosing a local beer. As we walked the little streets we shopped a bit, and spied an organ grinder playing under a shady tree.