UPDATED OCTOBER 2024. Here at Get Away Today, we love setting sail to explore the world especially when far off destinations are easily accessible on Viking River Cruise Line.

Traveling by river, beyond the reach of roadways, you will discover the true nature of fascinating lands and the people who call them home. You will travel with ease, unpacking just once and enjoying the ever-changing scenery along the banks as you are gently carried on board an elegant, intimate ship to your next destination.

Our team is sharing some experiences from a romantic Rhine River Cruise, along with more tips for exploring Europe and the beauty it has to offer. Viking River Cruise also offers various Mississippi River cruises and cruise extensions in St. Louis. As the river cruise industry, you’re sure to enjoy a special vacation aboard Viking.

Viking River Cruises has the most extensive fleet of river cruises vessels in various regions. Viking ships are specially designed to navigate the world’s great rivers with all the comfort and elegance of river cruising. Here are a few more things to note about Viking River Cruise Vessels:

• Viking Longships® showcase a Scandinavian design with understated elegance including spacious staterooms with full-size verandas, the largest suites on Europe’s rivers and the most al fresco dining at the Aquavit Terrace®.
• Viking Europe Ships offer many popular design elements of the Longships complete with customized hulls and engines specifically built to navigate historic European rivers.
• Viking River Egypt Fleet. Navigate the Nile River with comfort and elegance—French balconies, hotel-style beds in every spacious stateroom and public areas bathed in light.
• Viking Mississippi Vessels. With only 386 guests and 193 all outside staterooms, this ship features clean Scandinavian designs and comfortable amenities that make it the first truly modern cruise ship in the region.
• Viking Saigon navigates the Mekong River, hosting just 80 guests. Understated elegance guides you through some of the most scenic regions in the world in comfort with outdoor verandas and panoramic views of your surroundings.

We always say we love cruises because they offer more than one vacation experience while only having to unpack once. Viking River Cruises offer an opportunity to celebrate an anniversary or just have a romantic getaway.

Since the ships in the Viking Cruise Line are all the same build, you can spend less time comparing amenities and more time comparing itineraries. Your stateroom on the Viking Hlin or any other in its fleet provides the ultimate in comfort while you sail to romantic destinations along the Rhine, throughout Europe or down the Mississippi.

Enjoy the classy decor, comfortable bedding and even heated floors in the bathroom on select ships. You'll have everything you need in your home-away-from-home on a Viking River Cruise.

Most Viking staterooms offer various views, so you are welcome to request a Standard, French Balcony or Veranda stateroom. There are also Veranda and Explorer Suites, which range in size from 275 to 445 square feet. Enjoy river views from all, as well as amenities including the following:

• Complimentary WiFi (connection speed may vary)
• 40" flat-screen TV
• 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
• Telephone, safe, refrigerator, hair dryer & individual climate control
• Premium Freyja® toiletries; plush robes & slippers available upon request
• Bottled water replenished daily
• Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
• Space under bed for storing suitcases
• Spacious closet

On a Romantic Rhine Cruise or any Viking River Cruise, you'll savor delicious regional fare, which includes beverages. You may even find yourself visiting with the ship's chef during your meals, and you'll be delighted by the customized service offered by the rest of the ship's staff. Also be sure to inquire about kitchen tours that offer menu samplings.

Here are some of the highlights we experienced on our own Viking River Cruise:

• Beautiful spread of local cheeses, fruit, oatmeal, pastries and cook-to-order omelets for breakfast
• Light lunch buffet, as well as made to order menu options
• Each evening, dinner can be ordered from the menu of local cuisine, depending on where you are on your itinerary

A river cruise is about exploring the destinations, so as a result the onboard activities are minimal. Viking River Cruise ships typically offer shuffle boards, a walking track and a lounge area. You can also enjoy music and dancing onboard, plus access to a library, card games and more.

Your itinerary will also include demonstrations from locals, such as glass blowing, musical concerts and lectures. Except the vibe onboard to be very relaxing.

You won’t want to miss Viking River Cruise excursions at every stop! This itinerary is such a great deal, and each excursion is hosted by a local tour guide.

For example during our River Cruise along the Rhine we enjoyed these highlights:

• Basel, Switzerland: Ground transfer from the airport to your ship is included in Basel. Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to explore the city on your own before boarding and enjoying dinner onboard.
• Breisach, Germany: Known as the "gateway to the Black Forest," Breisach is home to wine country, beautiful mountains, rolling hills and a workshop that's open for cuckoo clock demonstrations. You can eat lunch on the ship, then return to the city and learn about Black Forest cake, visit museums and take in medieval architecture.
• Strasbourg, France: Take a guided tour in Strasbourg and visit the Mercedes-Benz factory, cathedrals or Alsatian wine country. This quaint city offers a mix of French and German culture, architecture and cuisine.
• Speyer and Rudensheim, Germany: Here you can visit Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tour Heidelberg (home of Germany’s oldest university), Heidelberg Castle or simply stroll the shop-lined streets.
• Koblenz, Germany: This part of the Romantic Rhine itinerary includes stunning views of castles along the river's banks. Take an optional tour of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, the 700-year-old Marksburg Castle or Moselle wine country. You can return to the ship for lunch if you'd like, and enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring this region on your own.
• Cologne, Germany: Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city, and once docked here you can explore Old Town. You're invited to visit the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cologne has a beautiful waterfront, and other excursions include a taste of Cologne's beer culture, with samples of Kölsch, a beer brewed only in Cologne.
• Kinderdijk, The Netherlands: Kinderdijk is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can take a tour of the iconic windmills here, learning why they were built and how they work. You may choose to see a Dutch cheese-making demonstration or take a bike ride through the town.
• Amsterdam, The Netherlands: The Netherlands capitol city of Amsterdam is your last stop of the Romantic Rhine river cruise. You're ready to either board your airplane to head home, or extend your stay and explore Amsterdam further. The city offers museums, biking, exciting nightlife and more.

Now that you know almost everything about stepping aboard Viking Cruises, let us help take you there! We can help narrow down which dates and itinerary options are best for you. Our agents are waiting to help book your cruise, including any special offers available. Call us at 877-510-2929 or you can browse cruise vacations online. Remember, when you book with Get Away Today, you lock-in the lowest prices, plus you get access to our exclusive specials. Bon voyage!