Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

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Gill W
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Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#1

Post by Gill W »

Back home

The last thing I typed while I was away was about the amazing view I had of Budapest. I looked out of the window in the middle of the night, and another river cruiser had moored next to us, so all I could see was an air vent. If I’d booked a full balcony cabin, there would have been several times when it wouldn’t have been possible to use it, due to the double parking of ships. As it was, our cabin was plunged into darkness several times for this reason. But that’s probably the only negative thing I can say.

The price is more expensive than a P & O Cruise. I think it was about £2300 each for 7 days. But you get a lot for your money. Fabulous food, friendly personal service, house wine, beer or soft drinks with lunch and dinner (house wines varied, and were often regional), 6 included excursions, tea, decent coffee and hot chocolate on tap, bottled water whenever you wanted it, and water always available to pick up when your went on tour.
There were also nice little touches like juices being served when we boarded, and we were shown to our cabin. Juices were also served when we returned from excursions, and sometimes chocolates too (premium chocolates, not Milk Tray!). On the afternoon when we were all out on deck for the cruise through the Wachau Valley, they came round with Magnums. All little things like that which make you think ‘that’s a nice touch’.

The service also extended to the airport on the return home. We were escorted to the check in desk by the Viking rep, and he waited around to make sure there were no problems.

As mentioned in my diary, dinner was completely open seating at 7pm on tables for six or eight. I was initially not keen on this, but in the end I did enjoy this, mainly due to the fabulous company.

Each evening you seated yourself at a table that took your fancy, and you would be joined by other passengers. These passengers may have been people you had sat with before, people you might have spoken to on one of the excursions, or people you may not have had the opportunity to chat to before. There were no cliques, or people who got possessive about ‘their’ table – which I’m pretty sure would happen on P&O!

This may be harsh, but one of the reasons we stick to tables for 2 on P&O is that it can be hard work sometimes. The conversation on P&O often centres around how many cruises you’ve done (the person asking has ALWAYS done more than you), their wildly successful children, and their delightful grandchildren, whilst moaning about everybody else’s children and grandchildren, not to mention moaning about everything else

Not so on this Viking Cruise. People wanted to talk about the cruise we were doing, their interests and their home lives, and hear about our home lives (especially if they were north American) In short things that I was interested in.

If you wanted a drink outside of meal times this was not inclusive, but the price was reasonable – two glasses of house wine cost EUR8.40. There was a Silver drinks package you could buy which meant you could have unlimited premium wines, beers and cocktails. I’m not sure what the price was for this, but as we only had a pre dinner drink, it wouldn’t have been worth it for us

There wasn’t much in the way of entertainment in the evenings, just piano music from the resident entertainer, plus some invited local performers on three nights. But nobody was expecting wild nightlife.

I really would like to do another river cruise, and would choose Viking again without hesitation. There’s one we like the sound of, going from Amsterdam to Basel, and then 2 nights in Lucerne.

We’re already thinking about 2016 for this – a long time away, but we have other things booked, and a hoped for early retirement next year, so we want to make sure we are not over-stretched.

But to sum up – much, much better than I expected. 9 out of 10
Gill

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GillD46
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#2

Post by GillD46 »

Well it really does sound as though you found something you liked. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Gill

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Meg 50
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#3

Post by Meg 50 »

we did Dusseldorf to Basel, then train to Como then a week in Mennagio flying back from Milan.

It was a package
Meg
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Kenmo1
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#4

Post by Kenmo1 »

I have just seen an advert on tv for Viking Ocean cruises which will have its maiden season in 2015. It will be interesting to see if they can provide some strong competition in that type of cruising.

Thanks, Gill, for a very comprehensive and interesting review.

Maureen

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oldbluefox
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#5

Post by oldbluefox »

Thanks for your review Gill. Nice to hear how the 'others' do it!!

I agree about the nice little touches you mention. I feel sure they could be introduced on other cruise lines without a great deal of extra expense.

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Manoverboard
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#6

Post by Manoverboard »

Having given a :thumbup: for Viking Riverboat Cruises last year I am extremely pleased that you enjoyed yours as much as we did and mainly for the same reasons, thanks also for the report(s).

The non moaning aspect is certainly a fascinating subject ... is it down to the mix of nationalities or is it that the ' ten bob millionaires / my chicken is bigger than your chicken brigade ' avoid these Cruises because of their relative high cost. The same applies to the more expensive International Coaching Tours.

:wave:
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Gill W
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#7

Post by Gill W »

Yes, it is curious about the non - moaning / lack of ten bob millionaires.

The majority of people on this cruise were first time river cruisers, so everybody was probably in the honeymoon period and didn't have any mental benchmark concerning 'falling standards'.

I think the mix of nationalities is a factor too. People don't know where, for example, the Americans fit in their personal perception of socio-economic group and class, so possibly are less likely to want to make themselves appear better than they are.

People have paid a premium price for the river cruise, so maybe are less likely to want to 'prove' they can afford things by boasting about their belongings and house.

Or maybe river cruisers are happier than ocean cruisers :lol:

But whatever the reason, I did notice a difference. And it was very pleasant.
Gill


CaroleF
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#8

Post by CaroleF »

Thank you Gill for all those postings - it was really interesting to read about a river cruise day-to-day. We've looked at some River Cruises but I think they would be too port intensive for me but I assume you don't have to get off each day if you don't wish to. They do seem expensive but I suppose when you see what they include it's not too bad - a bit like the 6* cruise lines which seem incredibly expensive but when you look and add up what they include in their price (especially the ones that include flights) it is similar to Viking prices.

Carole

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Dennis The Menace
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#9

Post by Dennis The Menace »

Sounds a real experience Gill :)

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Solent Richard
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#10

Post by Solent Richard »

Good morning Gill.

I'm a Viking fan, through and through. Have done a river cruise with them for the last two years.

I fully agree with your comments particularly about value for money.

I have an upcoming Viking cruise along Portugal's Douro River on the Viking Hemming - It is her Maiden Season having only been launched in March.

I'm going to dedicate my next review to a fellow cruise blogger (?) who does nothing but constantly snipe at the costs.

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Solent Richard
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#11

Post by Solent Richard »

Manoverboard wrote:
Having given a :thumbup: for Viking Riverboat Cruises last year I am extremely pleased that you enjoyed yours as much as we did and mainly for the same reasons, thanks also for the report(s).

The non moaning aspect is certainly a fascinating subject ... is it down to the mix of nationalities or is it that the ' ten bob millionaires / my chicken is bigger than your chicken brigade ' avoid these Cruises because of their relative high cost. The same applies to the more expensive International Coaching Tours.

:wave:
Nicely put Manoverboard.

What many don't realise is that these river cruises are very popular and are invariably fully booked.

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Manoverboard
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#12

Post by Manoverboard »

Yes they are indeed well patronised ... no P&O type Getaway deals with this operator.

The Duoro inc Salamanca is of interest to us as is the Bordeaux estuary, albeit 2016 possibly.

:thumbup:
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Gill W
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Re: Romantic Danube - Viking Njord - Final Thoughts

#13

Post by Gill W »

Solent Richard wrote:
I have an upcoming Viking cruise along Portugal's Douro River on the Viking Hemming - It is her Maiden Season having only been launched in March.
I'll look forward to reading your reports.

I had a quick look at your blogs at lunch time while I was at work, but I'll be reading in more detail over the weekend :D
Gill

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