Why Choose a Viking River Cruise? An Expert Guide to Viking River Cruises

There is something completely different about seeing the world from a river.

Instead of traveling from city to city by car, train or airplane, you unpack once and let the scenery come to you. One morning you may open your curtains to vineyards climbing the hillsides of Germany; the next, you may be walking through the center of Vienna, exploring a medieval village in France or sailing past castles that have stood above the river for centuries.

That is one of the reasons Viking River Cruises has become one of my top-selling cruise lines.

At Travel by Hutch, I work with an extensive client base traveling with Viking on both River and Ocean voyages, and Viking is a product I know extremely well. I help my clients with much more than simply selecting a sailing. Choosing the right river, itinerary, travel dates, stateroom, airfare and pre- or post-cruise experience can make an enormous difference in the overall trip.

For travelers who value destinations, history, culture, excellent service and a refined but relaxed travel experience, Viking River Cruises is one of my favorite options.

What Makes Viking River Cruises Different?

Viking was designed for travelers who want the destination to be the focus of their vacation.

You will not find water slides, casinos, art auctions or a packed schedule of traditional cruise-ship entertainment. Viking's river ships are intimate, elegant and intentionally understated. The atmosphere is sophisticated without feeling formal, and Viking is exclusively for guests age 18 and older.

For many of my clients, that is exactly the appeal.

Rather than trying to make the ship itself the destination, Viking uses the ship as a beautiful and comfortable way to experience the places along the river. Days are centered around exploring historic cities, small towns, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, local food, architecture, history and culture.

Then you return to the ship, have dinner, relax with a glass of wine and watch Europe—or another fascinating part of the world—drift past your window.

Viking's Inclusive Approach

Another reason I recommend Viking is that many of the things travelers expect to pay extra for on other vacations are already incorporated into the Viking experience.

Viking includes a shore excursion in every port of call, onboard meals, Wi-Fi, port taxes and fees, enrichment programming, specialty coffees, teas and bottled water, along with beer, wine and soft drinks during onboard lunch and dinner. Guests purchasing Viking Air also receive applicable airport transfers.

That makes budgeting for the vacation much easier.

There are still optional excursions and upgrades available for travelers who want them, but the core Viking experience is already very complete.

The Viking Longship Experience

In Europe, Viking's iconic Longships have become almost synonymous with river cruising.

The ships are sleek, modern and Scandinavian in design, with large windows and bright, comfortable public spaces. Many European Longships accommodate only about 190 guests, creating a dramatically different experience from a large ocean cruise ship.

One of my favorite things about river cruising is how close you are to everything. You are not sailing into a massive commercial cruise terminal miles from the historic center of town. In many river destinations, you can walk off the ship and find yourself close to the heart of the city or village.

And while the destinations are the star, the time spent sailing is part of the experience too. Sitting outside while passing hillside vineyards, medieval castles, church steeples and tiny European villages is something you simply cannot replicate on a traditional land vacation.

Where Does Viking River Cruise?

One of Viking's greatest strengths is the variety of river experiences it offers. Your ideal river depends heavily on what you enjoy seeing and doing, which is why I spend time matching my clients to the itinerary rather than simply recommending the most popular sailing.

The Rhine River

The Rhine is one of my favorite choices for a first European river cruise.

Viking's Rhine itineraries can take you through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, with scenery that includes vineyards, historic towns, magnificent cathedrals and the castle-lined Middle Rhine.

Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Strasbourg and the gateway to Switzerland can all be part of a Rhine experience.

The Rhine works especially well for travelers who want that classic vision of a European river cruise: castles perched above the water, charming villages, beautiful scenery and several countries within one vacation.

It is also wonderful during Christmas market season.

The Danube River

If your dream trip includes Europe's great imperial cities, the Danube may be the better choice.

Viking's Danube itineraries can include places such as Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Passau and other destinations throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

The Danube has a wonderful combination of grand architecture, classical music, royal history, food, wine and beautiful scenery. Vienna and Budapest alone make the Danube incredibly appealing, but some itineraries continue farther through the Balkans and Eastern Europe for travelers who want something beyond the traditional first-time European itinerary.

For Christmas markets, the Danube is also exceptional.

The Main River

Germany's Main River connects the Rhine with the Danube through the Main-Danube Canal, making some of Viking's longer multi-river European journeys possible.

It passes through beautiful areas of Germany including Franconia, with historic cities, medieval towns, vineyards and countryside along the way.

The Main is often part of a larger itinerary rather than the river travelers initially set out to cruise, but it is one of the waterways that makes a journey across the heart of Europe possible.

The Moselle River

For clients who tell me they want small towns, vineyards and beautiful scenery, I always want them to look at the Moselle.

The Moselle winds through one of Europe's most picturesque wine regions, with steep vineyard-covered hillsides, castles and storybook towns.

Places such as Cochem, Trier and Bernkastel-Kues give this river a very romantic feel, and the region is particularly famous for Riesling.

The Moselle can be a wonderful alternative for someone who has already traveled extensively in Europe—or for the traveler who simply prefers charming smaller destinations over large capital cities.

The Elbe River

The Elbe offers a somewhat different river-cruise experience, traveling through areas of Germany and the Czech Republic.

This is an excellent choice for travelers interested in history, architecture and destinations such as Berlin, Dresden and Prague, depending upon the particular itinerary and land components.

Viking uses ships specifically designed for the conditions of the Elbe, making this one of the more specialized experiences in its European river portfolio.

The Seine River

For France lovers, Viking's Seine River cruises combine Paris with the landscapes and history of Normandy.

Imagine beginning or ending your day in Paris while also visiting the countryside that inspired the Impressionists, charming French towns and areas important to World War II history.

The Seine is particularly appealing to travelers who want Paris to be an important part of their vacation without spending the entire trip in a major city.

And this is one of those itineraries where adding extra days in Paris can turn an excellent trip into an extraordinary one.

The Rhône and Saône Rivers

The Rhône and Saône take you into another side of France—one centered around Provence, Burgundy, gastronomy and wine.

Viking itineraries in this region may include Lyon, Avignon and some of France's wonderful wine-producing areas.

This is a great choice for food and wine lovers or travelers who have already visited Paris and want to experience more of southern France.

The scenery changes noticeably as you travel, and depending upon the season, Provence adds an entirely different character from northern European river itineraries.

Bordeaux: The Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde

Wine lovers should also consider Viking's Bordeaux program, which explores the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers and the Gironde estuary.

This is château country.

Rather than checking off several European countries, the experience goes deeper into one particular region of France. Bordeaux's vineyards, historic estates, beautiful countryside, food and wine traditions become the focus.

For travelers who have already done the Rhine or Danube and want their next river cruise to feel completely different, Bordeaux can be an excellent choice.

The Douro River

Portugal's Douro River is one of Europe's most visually spectacular river journeys.

The river winds through dramatic valleys covered with terraced vineyards, and the experience is closely tied to the culture, food and wine of Portugal.

Porto is a highlight, and many travelers combine their Douro cruise with additional time elsewhere in Portugal.

The Douro is especially appealing to travelers who have visited Europe's major capitals and now want beautiful scenery, wonderful food and a slightly slower-paced experience.

Viking River Cruises Beyond Europe

Although Viking is closely associated with European river cruising, some of its most interesting journeys are much farther from Europe.

The Nile River

A Viking cruise on Egypt's Nile River is far more than a traditional river cruise.

It is a journey through thousands of years of history.

Ancient temples, tombs, archaeological sites and the landscapes of Egypt make the Nile one of Viking's true bucket-list experiences. Viking operates ships specifically designed for the Nile, and its Egypt programs combine cruising with land experiences to create a more complete journey.

For clients who have always dreamed of Egypt but find planning the logistics intimidating, this style of travel can make the destination much more approachable.

The Mekong River

The Mekong provides an immersive way to experience Vietnam and Cambodia.

Rather than focusing on Europe's cathedrals and castles, Mekong journeys introduce travelers to local villages, markets, temples, regional traditions and the landscapes of Southeast Asia.

It is an entirely different Viking experience—but it maintains Viking's emphasis on culture and destination immersion.

The Brahmaputra River

Viking has also expanded river cruising into India on the Brahmaputra River.

These journeys offer a fascinating combination of culture, wildlife, history and landscapes in a part of the world that many travelers would find difficult to experience independently.

For well-traveled clients looking for their next truly different destination, the Brahmaputra is one of Viking's most intriguing options.

Viking River Cruising in the United States

You do not have to fly to Europe to experience Viking River Cruises.

The Viking Mississippi was purpose-built for cruising America's great waterways and offers itineraries through the heart of the United States.

The Mississippi River

Viking sails both the Upper and Lower Mississippi, creating itineraries that can highlight completely different parts of American history and culture.

New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Vicksburg, Memphis, St. Louis and destinations farther north may be part of the experience depending upon the sailing.

Food, music, Civil War history, civil rights history, Southern culture and the story of America's westward expansion all become part of the journey.

The Ohio and Cumberland Rivers

Viking has continued expanding its American river program beyond the traditional Mississippi experience.

Selected itineraries now include the Ohio River, while Viking's Nashville program combines the Mississippi and Cumberland Rivers.

That opens the door to places such as Louisville, Paducah, Nashville and other destinations connected to American music, food and history.

It is exciting to see Viking apply its destination-focused approach to river cruising here in the United States.

Do Not Overlook the Pre- and Post-Cruise Experience

This is one of the areas where I think working with someone who knows both Viking and custom international travel makes a significant difference.

Viking offers its own pre- and post-cruise extensions, and many of them are excellent. Depending on the itinerary, travelers may be able to add two or more nights in the embarkation or disembarkation city or travel farther afield on a guided extension.

But Viking's extension is not automatically the best choice for every traveler.

Sometimes I recommend the Viking extension. Other times, I design a custom pre- or post-cruise itinerary through Travel by Hutch.

For example, a Rhine River cruise can pair beautifully with additional time in Switzerland. A Danube cruise might be combined with Prague, Salzburg or another Central European destination. A Douro sailing can become part of a more extensive Portugal itinerary. A France cruise can be paired with several nights in Paris or another region of France.

This is where we can get creative.

I can help coordinate hotels, trains, private transfers, airfare, sightseeing and tours around the cruise so that the entire vacation works together—not just the days spent onboard Viking.

For my clients traveling internationally, I also frequently recommend arriving before the cruise rather than flying in on embarkation day. It gives you time to recover from the overnight flight, adjust to the time difference and begin the cruise relaxed instead of worrying about a flight delay affecting your vacation.

When Is the Best Time for a Viking River Cruise?

There really is not one universal "best" month.

Spring brings flowers, cooler temperatures and fewer summer crowds. Summer offers long daylight hours and warm weather. Fall can mean beautiful foliage, harvest season and a wonderful atmosphere in Europe's wine regions.

And then there is Christmas market season.

Sailing the Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle or Seine during late November and December gives an already beautiful European itinerary an entirely different personality. Historic squares fill with lights, decorations, food stalls and Christmas markets.

For travelers who love the holidays, it can be magical.

The best month depends on the river, your tolerance for heat or cold, what you most want to experience and your travel priorities.

Which Viking River Cruise Should You Choose?

This is the question I help clients answer every day.

The most famous itinerary is not necessarily the best itinerary for you.

If you want castles and classic European scenery, I might steer you toward the Rhine. If Vienna and Budapest are at the top of your list, the Danube becomes very compelling. Wine lovers might be happier on the Douro, Moselle, Rhône/Saône or Bordeaux waterways. France lovers may fall in love with the Seine. Experienced international travelers may be ready for the Nile, Mekong or Brahmaputra.

Your travel history matters too.

Someone taking their first trip to Europe may need a completely different itinerary than someone who has visited Europe ten times.

That is why I prefer to start with you, not with a cruise brochure.

Is Viking River Cruises Right for You?

Viking is particularly well suited to travelers who appreciate culture, history, food, architecture and meaningful destination experiences.

It is ideal for travelers who prefer smaller ships, an adult environment and a relaxed atmosphere over large-ship attractions and nonstop entertainment.

You should also genuinely enjoy sightseeing. River cruises are destination-intensive vacations, and many travelers are off the ship exploring almost every day.

If your perfect vacation involves learning about a place, walking through historic cities, experiencing local traditions and then returning to a beautiful ship at the end of the day, Viking deserves serious consideration.

Why Book Your Viking River Cruise With Travel by Hutch?

Viking is one of my top-selling cruise lines, and I work with an extensive base of Viking clients traveling throughout the world.

My job is not simply to book the cabin you found online.

I help determine which Viking itinerary fits you best, compare dates and stateroom options, work through airfare choices, explain Viking's inclusions and excursion program, and help you understand the many decisions that come after the initial reservation.

More importantly, I can look at the cruise as just one piece of the overall vacation.

As both a Viking Cruise Expert and a custom international travel specialist, I can help turn a seven-, ten- or fifteen-day Viking cruise into a thoughtfully planned international journey from the moment you leave home until the moment you return.

If you are considering a Viking River Cruise and aren't sure which river, itinerary or stateroom to choose, Travel by Hutch would love to help you plan it.

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