Viking Cruises

36 | Viking Explorer Society News While I knew the ships would of course be smaller, I had not anticipated the intimacy of the whole experience. There is a true family feel, with guests coming together over dinner and drinks ever y night to share their experiences. It is a ver y relaxed and communal affair. Staff also provide a level of personalised ser vice I have never experienced on an ocean cruise. They really took the time to get to know us all, as well as our preferences, to genuinely provide the best trip possible. Whenever I've pictured river cruising, particularly in Europe, I've seen it as a great way to 'destination hop'. And this was definitely the case. Each day you wake up in another place to explore. I love this concept and while the ships are beautiful, to me, river cruising is all about embracing the destinations you are visiting. And the ships themselves make the possibilities endless. Due to their design, the river ships can dock right in the middle of a destination – something I hadn't truly appreciated before getting on board. Budapest is a great example of this – you literally dock next to the famous Chain Bridge in the middle of all the sights and sounds of the city. It's the per fect chance to get off the ship af ter dinner for a walk along the Danube, a drink in a local bar or a taste of the vibrant nightlife on offer in the city. Days typically consist of a morning or afternoon of cruising, excursions in a port for half or a whole day, and overnights in places such as Passau and Budapest. This definitely keeps you busy – more so than when on an ocean cruise. With all the enriching excursions, ever- changing scenery and activities on board the ship, there's no lack of opportunities to keep occupied – if that's what you want to do. Viking includes an excursion in every port of call. From the art and music of Vienna to the culture of Bratislava and the history of Budapest, I learnt something new every day. It all provides a truly inspirational experience and you come away feeling richer for it. This is no mean feat to achieve, and our very talented Programme Director, Terry, did an amazing job of ensuring guests got as much as they could from each experience while having fun along the way. An included highlight had to be spending the day visiting Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic. A true fairy tale destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famed for its 14th to 17th century architecture in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles – it's really something to behold. I've always loved the food on board Viking ocean ships, and this also translates well to the river fleet. Expect breakfasts with a wide variety of freshly made choices and (at least) three-course lunches ser ved in the restaurant. If you fancy something a little more casual, head to the Aquavit Terrace to enjoy an al fresco meal (or even a barbecue). At dinner, expect fare inspired by regional specialities, featuring local ingredients wherever possible. This is another way Viking connects guests to the destinations they are sailing through. While a river cruise can cost the same or more than other holidays, you have to remember that ever y thing is pretty much included. With Viking, expect accommodation, all onboard meals (and wine and beer with lunch and dinner), enrichment programmes and, of course, daily excursions, including visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When it comes down to it, it's incredibly good value and, as a bonus, it takes the stress out of having to budget while you're away. Being a long-time ocean traveller, I was expecting river cruising to be ver y similar, but coming away from my first experience, I'm happy to say I was wrong. There are clear similarities between the two in terms of how days are typically structured, and, well, that you're sailing from destination to destination, but that's where the similarities end. Due to their design, the river ships can dock right in the middle of a destination – something I hadn't truly appreciated before getting on board.

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