Table Of Content
Also consider adding a pre- or post-cruise extension to your sailing to make the most of your time in Europe. If you are flying in from North America a pre-cruise stay will also help you get over any jet lag and board the riverboat in the best possible shape for the vacation ahead. The entire ship is airy and light-filled and despite it being a small river ship, it feels more spacious and open than some large cruise ships.
Royal Caribbean Mocktails: 12 Best Zero Proof Drinks at Sea
If you want more relaxed, casual food with perhaps a table for just 2, the Aquavit upstairs is a great alternative. We had lunch a couple times there and it’s quite nice to see the river views and sit outside. When I went on my cruise to Cuba, we received a group number each evening for the next day’s stop.
This Post Has 23 Comments
Neuf-Brisach is a sleepy little French town that is surrounded on all sides by a visually stunning series of fortified walls. These walls were designed by French architect Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban to help protect border outposts from invasion. You can’t make out the geometry of the walled city from the ground level, but you can explore the city streets and get some sense of their architecture.
Day 5: Cruise through the Rhine Gorge; Stop in Koblenz 🇩🇪
Our cruise Program Director also provided a running commentary on all of the things we were seeing as we sailed by. There’s something incredible about seeing these archaic stone structures from various angles as you move along the water. Some notable landmarks include the Dom zu Speyer (Speyer Cathedral) and the Altpörtel (Old Gate) directly west of there. The two are connected by the short Maximilianstraße, which serves as the main street in the historic district. In recent years, the Elba river has occasionally suffered from extreme low water levels – perhaps due to global warming?
Castles & cathedrals
Continue with a walking tour through Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates. From Speyer to Cologne (Day 4 to Day 6), the Rhine River is incredibly scenic. Viking did a great job of scheduling so that passengers could enjoy the view from the boat during the day on this portion of the trip. The vineyards, villages, and castles of the Middle Rhine are undoubtedly the river’s most unique offerings. If you are going to pass on some of the shore tours and spend more time on the ship then a veranda cabin is a good choice. If you have mobility issues book a cabin closest to the elevators to avoid having to go up and down corridors to reach the lounge or restaurant.
Strasbourg occupies a strategic position on the Rhine River and is the ninth largest city in France. On our second day, we sailed northward to dock at Breisach, Germany. Rather than purchasing the Viking Post-Cruise Extension, we opted to explore on our own.
Flights & Our Pre-Trip Experience
Excursions will take you to Trier, with its Roman history, and Germany's oldest university town of Heidelberg with its imposing red sandstone castle. In Bamberg you can try the curious smoked beer and other stops include Nuremberg which, despite almost being destroyed in the war, has three miles of medieval walls. Spend free time in the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and sample a glass of locally produced wine at one of the restaurants or wine bars.
Post: Swiss Alps & Scenic Train
Our Viking program director gave a guided audio tour along the way, pointing out castles left and right. Also unlike many other cruises or guided tours, almost everything was included, which made it feel like a truly relaxing vacation. You’ll have to make this decision for yourself, but beer and wine are included with each meal even if you don’t purchase the unlimited drink package. I did the math, and you’d basically have to drink two additional cocktails each day (outside of lunch and dinner) to make the package worthwhile. I enjoy drinking to be sure, but I would typically have wine with my meals and limit myself to one cocktail per day. My total bar tab came out to be about 90 euro for the entire trip.
DAY 6 Strasbourg, France
Dinner is served aboard and we remain docked until late evening. Explore Germany’s fabled Black Forest region and admire verdant hills amid stunning scenery. Uncork new discoveries as you raise a glass of Riesling on our acclaimed Rhine River cruises through Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands.
Newest Viking River Cruise Ships - Cruise Critic
Newest Viking River Cruise Ships.
Posted: Thu, 18 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
This was my least favorite day of the cruise, mainly because we only had a few hours in both Speyer and RĂĽdesheim. I feel like we did get to see slightly more of the former than the latter, but both stops were rushed. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. You will only need money for small extras such as coffee, snacks or gifts and even these can be paid for with a credit card.
A Viking agent or specialist cruise adviser can help select the right cabin for you. A Rhine River cruise is a wonderful way to experience Europe and a top choice for a first time river cruise. If you've never been on a river cruise before -- or have previously been on ocean cruises -- it's hard to know exactly what to expect. Take a look at our list of mistakes to avoid and enjoy your best-ever experience on a Viking Rhine River cruise.
Marvel at stunning landscapes and majestic scenery of nearby Aurlandsfjord. Admire the scenery and sail along the network of Holland’s waterways. Stroll the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse; sample local wines at a quaint restaurant. Sail past hilltop castles along the Middle Rhine, a UNESCO Site, and look for Lorelei Rock.
Cologne is known for its gothic cathedral and its unique Kölsch beer. It’s also the birthplace of the world’s first eau de cologne and home to some of the best shopping in the country. Rudesheim am Rhein is the picture of a quaint German town, filled with charming wine garden restaurants and plenty of souvenir shops peddling adorable Christmas treasures.
No comments:
Post a Comment