River Cruise - Romantic Danube - Viking Njord Part 5

[Gill W]

Day 5 - 6

Last night we did our additional excursion to the Concert Hall in Vienna. There
was a 34 piece orchestra, two singers and two dancers. The programme consisted
of works by Mozart and Strauss, most tunes that I knew and preformed with wit
and verve by the artistes. If you think classical music is stuffy.... Try this,
it was a lot of fun.

Our included excursion this morning was a drive and walk in Vienna. We came
back to the ship for lunch, and have been sitting on the sun deck this
afternoon. Many people have stayed in the city, and others have gone on an
optional excursion, so the ship has been very quiet.

This evening is the captains gala dinner. It's one of the occasions where the
gentleman may wish to wear their jacket, but we found that on the captains
welcome aboard dinner, only a few were wearing jackets, so I think Mr Gill's
jacket will stay in the wardrobe this evening.

Prior to dinner, we have an extended daily briefing, which will also give
details of disembarkation arrangements. I'm not sure how this will work, as
people will be leaving at all sorts of times. An American couple we sat with
yesterday at dinner have a 6.30am flight on Saturday morning, so they'll have a
very early start.

We have been parked next to another Viking ship today. Firstly we were berthed
alongside the dock, now we've swopped, so that the other ship is alongside.
This means that we can't see anything out of our cabin window except the other
ship. Also to access our ship from the dock, we have to walk through the other
ship on to ours. There is no gangway security, so it seems very free and easy
after the big cruise ships.

I thought I'd say a few words about the food. Breakfast can either be taken in
the dining room or on the Aquavit Terrace. All breakfasts are buffet style,
with a large selection of cereals, fruits, meats, cheeses, breads, pastries and
cooked. Coffee and juice is brought to the table, along with your copy of
Britain Today ( or USA Times or The Canadian)

We haven't eaten any lunches in the main dining room, but have instead used the
Buffet on the Aquavit Terrace. If there's no room on the Terrace (part is
outside, part is inside, so this is also weather dependant), you just take your
food through to the lounge. There isn't a massive selection of food, but it
varies each day, and is far superior to the P&O buffet offering. This week I've
eaten wraps, toasted sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, mini chicken kebabs,
assorted breads and assorted salads. There is a small dessert selection,
normally fruit kebabs and one other desert - today it was meringue island in
vanilla sauce.

Dinners are taken in the dining room. There is normally a choice of about 5
starters, three mains - one meat dish ( often beef), one fish dish and one
vegetarian option. There are also the always available dishes such as Cesar
salad, grilled chicken, salmon or steak.

There is a choice of about 5 desserts. Two richer options, ice cream, sorbet or
cheese platter.

Drinks are free with lunch and dinner. We can choose house wine, lager or soft
drinks. We've typically had Diet Coke with lunch and wine with dinner, although
we had a local lager on Austrian night.

I've enjoyed that the menus often reflect the local area. Last night for
example, I had an Austrian beef dish that was delicious ( can't remember it's
name though!) followed by Linzer cake. Also, a lot of the food is sourced along
the route.

I think the dining experience has been superior to P&O - but it must be
remembered that Viking are catering for 200 passengers, not 2000 plus.