Viking Jarl Review

4.0 / 5.0
173 reviews

Low Water levels should not equal rude and staff with attitude

Review for Europe Cruise on Viking Jarl
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Starkate1
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Nov 2018

We started out on the Viking Jarl. The staff was excellent and if our whole cruise had stayed on the Jarl we would have had our dream vacation in spite of the low water levels. The Captain, Hotel Manager, Program Director, wait staff, bartender, room steward and all other staff we came in contact with was excellent. But the moment we changed onto the Atla the staff was rude, had an attitude, food service was bad bad (Banana pudding was a small, hard muffin with hint of banana, not a creamy, delicious pudding), food was ok but not like the great food we had on the Jarl. All in all the whole experience on the Atla was terrible. We were made to feel like an inconvenience and they could hardly wait until the next day when they could pass us off to the Bragia. When we transferred on Saturday to the Bragia it started out fine. We were greeted well. But the wait staff was clearly lacking. The Aquavit Terrace had the food for breakfast laid out but the entire time we were eating we never saw any wait staff to help us. The final night was the breaking point. We had experienced a bad tour with a guide we could not understand, it was cold and we were tired. When we arrived for dinner we were advised that the regional Hungarian menu was ALL we could order from!! The staff was extremely rude when we requested other choices. Finally the matre de allowed my husband who cant have spicy food to have a plain hamburger and french fries. It was like they couldn't get rid of us fast enough. The next morning we were staying at a hotel in Budapest we had arranged. Although our bags had been out by 7:15 as told, when we got ready to leave at 8:30 they were not upstairs. We had to ask for them to be brought us and a taxi called. We previously had been told by friends what a great cruise line Viking was. This trip was terrible.

Response from VikingS, Community Team

Thank you, Starkate1, for taking the time to share your recent Viking experience with the cruising community. We are thrilled that you found the Viking Jarl crew to be hardworking and regret...

Cabin Review

Cabin economy

The room was clean but nothing special. Definitely not like the service we received on the Jarl!

Port Reviews

Budapest

We could hardly understand Susan. 5 minutes into the walking tour her quiet box died making it even more hard to hear her. In the church we stood instead of being seated because she didn't want to disturb her colleagues. What about us?

Vienna

Great tour guide, great experience

Regensburg

The tour was great but the Christmas markets were still setting up so we didn't get to see them.

12 Helpful Votes
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