Viking Rhine River Cruise Review: What to Expect, What It Costs, and Is It Worth It?

If you’re considering a Viking Rhine River cruise, you probably want to know more than what’s included in the brochure. What is the ship actually like? Is the food good? How much walking is involved? Are the included excursions worthwhile? And, perhaps most importantly, is a Viking river cruise worth the price?

I spent eight days aboard the Viking Rhine Getaway, sailing from Amsterdam to Basel in July 2026 with a multigenerational family group. After taking many ocean cruises, this was my first river cruise. I had a pretty good idea of what to expect from cruising, but I knew river cruising would have its own rhythm and style.

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This Viking Rhine River Cruise review covers what I actually experienced, including our cabin, dining, excursions, onboard atmosphere, activity level, costs, and what I loved about the experience, along with a few things I’d want to consider before booking.

Quick verdict: I would take another Viking river cruise. Our trip wasn’t perfect—low water levels affected the itinerary and required a ship swap—but those circumstances were outside Viking’s control. What I was most interested in was how Viking handled the situation, and overall, I thought they did a good job taking care of their guests.

My review is based on my firsthand experience traveling with six adults in their 50s and 70s, with a range of activity levels.

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My Overall Viking Rhine River Cruise Experience

What stood out to me most was how different river cruising felt from the ocean cruises I’d taken before. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a smaller ship with fewer onboard activities, but I quickly discovered that the slower pace suited me.

My First Impression of River Cruising

I traveled with my husband and four of his family members in their 70s. Everyone had different activity levels and different ideas about how much they wanted to do each day.

For our group, the cruise worked particularly well because we could spend the mornings on our included tours together and then have more flexibility in the afternoons. My husband and I often went back into the ports to explore while other family members chose to relax on the ship.

Overall, I found this style of travel to be a very good fit for our group.

What I Loved — and What I Didn’t

There were several things I really enjoyed about the experience:

• Having flexibility to explore independently
• Unpacking once for the entire trip
• Watching the scenery along the Rhine
• The small size of the ship
• Friendly, attentive staff
• Included walking tours
• A relaxed onboard atmosphere
• Having many major expenses bundled into the cruise price

The convenience was one of the biggest advantages. I loved being able to wake up in a new destination without packing a suitcase, checking out of a hotel, or figuring out how to get to the next city.

The scenery was another highlight. River cruising gives you a completely different perspective than traveling between European cities by train or car because the journey itself becomes part of the experience.

I also loved being on a small ship. With only 184 passengers on our sailing, the experience felt personal, and the staff quickly learned our names and preferences. The ship was small enough that I knew my way around within an hour. I could easily run back to our cabin after dinner to grab a sweater before heading up to the deck, rather than feeling like I was trekking across a huge ship.

One of the biggest challenges of our trip was an unexpected ship swap caused by low water levels on the Rhine.

River conditions are outside Viking’s control, but how a cruise line handles those disruptions can make a big difference to the guest experience. I wrote more about what happened, how the ship swap affected our trip, and how Viking handled the situation in my Viking Rhine River cruise ship swap experience.

Viking Rhine River Cruise Itinerary

Where Does the Viking Rhine Getaway Cruise Go?

We took the Viking Rhine Getaway from Amsterdam to Basel, visiting four countries along the way.

Our itinerary included Amsterdam and Kinderdijk in the Netherlands; Cologne, Koblenz, and Speyer in Germany; Strasbourg in France; and Breisach and Basel.

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We also had scenic sailing along the Middle Rhine, where we passed castle after castle along the river.

Day	Port	Country
1	Amsterdam	Netherlands
2	Kinderdijk	Netherlands
3	Cologne	Germany
4	Koblenz	Germany
5	Speyer	Germany
6	Strasbourg	France
7	Breisach	Germany
8	Basel	Switzerland

Please note that the exact schedule can vary by sailing, and our experience was also affected by the low water conditions that resulted in our ship swap.

We added several days in Amsterdam before the cruise and several days in Switzerland afterward, all independently rather than through Viking.

Want to see what our days actually looked like? Read my Viking Rhine Getaway day-by-day itinerary for a closer look at each port, our included excursions, and how we spent our free time.

What Is the Pace of a Viking Rhine River Cruise?

The pacing of this river cruise was one of the things I liked most.

Most of our included excursions took place in the morning. After the guided portion, we generally had some free time to explore before returning to the ship or meeting our transportation.

My husband and I often ate lunch with our family and then went back into the port to explore on our own. Having that flexibility meant we could spend more time wandering the streets, stopping wherever something caught our attention, and seeing more of each destination at our own pace, while other members of the group could relax onboard.

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Most of our sailing took place in the evening or overnight, so we spent the daytime exploring rather than sitting on the ship while it traveled.

That rhythm worked really well for me: explore in the morning, have some flexibility in the afternoon, and sail toward the next destination while we’re eating dinner or sleeping.

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Viking Rhine River Cruise Ship and Cabin Review

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What Is a Viking Longship Like?

Viking’s longships are very different from large ocean cruise ships. The focus is on the river views, destinations, outdoor spaces, and a quieter onboard experience rather than entertainment.

The Viking Alruna and Viking Tialfi both had three decks of staterooms, along with an open-air Sun Deck with seating, an herb garden, and a walking track. The middle deck had the main restaurant, with large windows overlooking the river. The lounge and bar were on the upper deck, along with the Aquavit Terrace, an indoor/outdoor seating area where passengers could have meals. The Aquavit Terrace also offered grilled food and a buffet lunch on some days.

There was also a library and reading area with books and games. In other words, the ship had plenty of comfortable spaces to relax, but not a long list of activities to fill your day.

You won’t find all the amenities you’d expect on a large ocean cruise ship. There was no casino, theater with large-scale shows, or nightclub. Our particular ship didn’t have a pool either.

The ship itself is part of the destination rather than the main attraction.

For me, that was a positive. I enjoyed having places to sit and watch the scenery without feeling like I needed to find an activity to keep myself entertained.

Our Viking Rhine Cruise Cabin: Standard Cabin Review

I’m a budget girl, so we selected the most affordable cabin category: a standard cabin in the E or F category.

These cabins are 150 square feet and located at water level, with a small window positioned higher on the wall.

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I was pleasantly surprised by how well the space was used.

There was plenty of storage, including drawers and a closet, and our suitcases fit easily under the bed. For two adults, I thought the cabin was comfortable enough for an eight-day cruise.

The mattress was comfortable, and there were outlets near the bed, which I appreciated.

My husband is over six feet tall, and while the bed was plenty large enough for him, he found the shower a little tight. The bathroom itself felt reasonably sized, but the shower was definitely the smaller part of the room.

Water also tended to spill onto the bathroom floor when we showered, although the heated floor dried it fairly quickly.

One thing I particularly appreciated was how quiet the cabin was. We own a business and ended up taking several middle-of-the-night calls from home during our trip. The soundproofing was good enough that we didn’t worry about disturbing our neighbors.

Want to see what the room actually looked like? Here’s a quick video tour of our cabin.

Is a Balcony Cabin Worth It?

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For me, no.

There are two main reasons.

First, Viking ships frequently dock alongside other river cruise ships. When that happens, a balcony or window may be facing directly toward another ship’s balcony or cabin.

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Had I paid a significant premium for a balcony and then spent part of the trip looking directly into another ship, I would have been pretty annoyed.

Second, I personally preferred watching the scenery from the ship’s communal spaces. The lounge had enormous windows, and the upper deck offered plenty of outdoor seating.

If you love spending time in your cabin and want a private place to sit outside and watch the river, a balcony may absolutely be worth the upgrade.

But if you’re looking for ways to keep the cost of a Viking river cruise down, I would personally put a balcony lower on my list of priorities.

Viking Rhine River Cruise Dining Review

What Is the Food Like on a Viking River Cruise?

My overall impression of the food was positive.

I liked the variety, and the portions generally felt appropriate—filling without leaving me feeling stuffed.

One thing Viking does particularly well is offering a combination of regional dishes and familiar favorites.

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One side of the menu featured dishes inspired by the region we were visiting. The other was an “Always Available” menu with familiar options such as Caesar salad and ribeye steak.

That made dining easy for a group with different tastes.

More adventurous eaters could try regional dishes, while less adventurous eaters could stick with something familiar. You could also mix and match. For example, you could order a Caesar salad as your starter and German schnitzel as your main course.

Viking River Cruise Breakfast

Breakfast offered both hot and cold buffet options.

There was a large oatmeal station, cereal, pastries, fresh fruit, juice, and smoked salmon. There was also a made-to-order omelet station, which my husband visited almost every morning.

If you wanted something beyond the buffet, you could order from the breakfast menu, which included options such as eggs Benedict and French toast.

Viking River Cruise Lunch

Lunch followed the same regional-specialty and Always Available format.

There were often soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and regional dishes. My husband was all about the soups and tried a new one with most meals.

It was also embarrassingly easy to get used to a dessert with lunch every day! 😁

Viking River Cruise Dinner

Dinner offered the most variety, with multiple courses and changing regional dishes.

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A typical dinner included soup or salad, bread or rolls, a starter, a main course, and dessert.

The staff was very accommodating when guests wanted to share dishes or order an additional item to try something different.

My father-in-law frequently orders salmon when we eat out, and he particularly enjoyed the poached salmon from the Always Available menu.

German Night on a Viking River Cruise

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We had one themed evening featuring German food.

Instead of the usual multi-course dinner, the evening was set up as a buffet with a variety of German dishes. Pretzels and small appetizers were waiting on the tables, and the wait staff wore German-themed outfits.

If you didn’t want to serve yourself from the buffet, your server could bring you a sampler plate featuring several of the dishes.

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It was a fun change from the normal dinner routine and gave us the opportunity to try several German specialties in one meal.

Drinks and Snacks on a Viking River Cruise

Wine (choice of white or red), beer, and soft drinks were included with lunch and dinner on our sailing even if you didn’t purchase the additional beverage package.

There were two coffee stations outside the lounge with 24-hour access, along with a water dispenser offering still and sparkling water.

Pastries and cookies were available in the morning, with another pastry option offered in the afternoon. It was a convenient spot to grab a snack between meals.

I really appreciated these little touches — they made the ship feel thoughtful and welcoming.

How Good Is the Food on a Viking Rhine River Cruise?

So, was the food actually good?

Yes.

Almost everything I tried was something I enjoyed. One or two regional dishes were a little bland for my taste, but I appreciated having the opportunity to try local foods.

Our ship swap gave me an unusual opportunity to compare dining on two different Viking longships.

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I did notice some differences between the two ships, which made me realize how much the individual chef can influence the dining experience. On our first ship, for example, a server told us that the head chef took particular care of the herb garden on the Sun Deck and used the fresh herbs frequently in the kitchen. It was a small detail, but one that I thought was a nice reflection of the care that went into the food.

Overall, I would describe the food as good-quality cruise food with a nice mix of familiar choices and regional specialties.

What Is Dining Like on a Viking River Cruise?

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There’s no assigned seating, although people are creatures of habit and tended to sit in the same spots even though it wasn’t required. Window tables always filled fast.

Since our family group consisted of six people, we always ate together. Our table location changed from meal to meal, but we had no trouble finding a table together.

I also saw smaller groups sharing tables, including couples who had not been traveling together.

There is no formal dress code and no formal night.

Most people did change into something a little nicer for dinner. Men generally wore slacks and collared shirts, while women wore nice tops with pants or skirts. The atmosphere felt elevated without being stuffy.

The dining room also never felt particularly crowded, and passengers could choose the more casual Aquavit Terrace for some meals.

What Is the Viking River Cruise Experience Like?

What Is There to Do Onboard a Viking River Cruise?

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The primary form of entertainment onboard is watching the scenery go by.

The lounge was the main gathering area and offered a place for drinks, live music, and socializing.

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Our cruise director hosted trivia one evening and gave port talks each evening in the lounge. These talks were helpful for understanding what we’d see the following day and covering important logistics.

A paper newsletter, the Viking Daily, was also delivered to our stateroom each evening with information about the next day’s activities.

There were also afternoon activities such as art lectures and food demonstrations.

What you won’t find is the constant schedule of entertainment you’d find on a large ocean cruise.

There was no pool on our Viking Longship, no large-scale shows, and no nightclub.

For us, that slower pace was a benefit. We had plenty of opportunities to sit together, talk, read, watch the scenery, and spend time with family.

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What Is the Atmosphere Like on a Viking River Cruise?

The atmosphere onboard was relaxed and quiet.

Our sailing didn’t have children, which contributed to the peaceful atmosphere, but there were still opportunities to socialize in the lounge, listen to music, and meet other travelers.

If you’re looking for a party atmosphere, Viking probably isn’t your cruise line.

If you want a quieter trip where the ship supports the destination rather than competing with it for your attention, that’s where Viking shines.

How Much Free Time Do You Have on a Viking River Cruise?

The amount of free time varied by day, but a typical day looked something like this:

• Morning: Port and included excursion
• Afternoon: Optional excursion or independent exploration
• Evening: Port talk, dinner, and sailing toward the next destination

If you didn’t book an optional excursion, you could explore independently or stay onboard and participate in one of the afternoon activities.

The cruise director also gave a port talk before the next day’s activities, and passengers needed to return to the ship before departure.

For me, this combination of scheduled activities and free time was one of the best parts of the cruise.

You can see how this worked out day by day in my Viking Rhine Getaway itinerary, including what we did during our included excursions and how we used our free time in each port.

How Active Is a Viking Rhine River Cruise?

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How Much Walking Is Required on a Viking River Cruise?

A Viking Rhine cruise isn’t necessarily strenuous, but there can be a lot of walking.

The most physically demanding parts of the trip for our group included:

• Getting on and off the ship via the gangway
• Walking from the ship to buses or shuttles
• Walking during included excursions, often on uneven or cobblestone streets
• Exploring port cities independently
• Standing during portions of guided tours

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One member of our group had knee issues, and some of the gangways and walking tours were challenging at times. The gangway angle can vary with the river level, and some of the walking tours involved uneven surfaces or extended periods on your feet.

There was also a wide range of ages among the passengers, including a 94-year-old traveler who was navigating the cruise independently with a walker. It was a good example of how different people can experience the same cruise very differently when it comes to mobility and activity level.

Can Less-Active Travelers Enjoy a Viking River Cruise?

Yes, but you should be comfortable with some walking and getting on and off the ship regularly.

Viking offered leisurely groups on some included excursions for travelers who wanted a slower pace or shorter walking distance.

On our cruise, guests who chose the “leisurely version” of an excursion were generally placed in the leisurely group again the following day.

However, leisurely did not mean no walking.

Something to note is that almost all of the included excursions on our sailing were labeled as walking tours. If someone in your group has significant mobility limitations, I’d recommend reading the excursion descriptions carefully before booking.

What Was Our Multigenerational Viking Cruise Experience Like?

This was one of the things I was most interested in before our trip.

My husband and I are in our early 50s, and we traveled with four family members in their 70s, all with somewhat different activity levels.

Everyone participated in the included excursions, but not everyone participated in exactly the same way.

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On the Cologne Walking Tour and Strasbourg Highlights tour, two members of our group struggled to keep up with the group at times.

They occasionally sat at a cafe while the rest of us continued with the tour. On other tours, they sat on a bench at the edge of a square rather than standing with the group for the entire explanation.

Because Viking provides each guest with a Quietvox listening device, they could still hear the guide as long as they remained within range.

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For our family, the key was flexibility.

Everyone could participate without everyone having to move at exactly the same pace.

Viking Rhine River Cruise Excursions

What Excursions Are Included in a Viking River Cruise?

The included excursion in most ports was a walking tour led by a local guide.

My experience was that these tours provided a good introduction to each destination, but they weren’t designed to see every major attraction or spend hours inside museums.

Instead, they gave us an overview of the city and its history, followed by time to explore independently.

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The use of local guides was particularly noticeable. Every guide we had talked about their connection to the area, and most had lived there for many years.

The cruise director also encouraged passengers to provide feedback about the guides, explaining that Viking takes guest feedback into account when selecting guides for future cruises.

Are the Optional Excursions Worth It On a River Cruise?

My assessment is that the included excursions are excellent for getting oriented, while the optional excursions are better suited to travelers who want a deeper experience.

If you’re visiting a destination for the first time and simply want to understand what you’re seeing, the included tour may be all you need.

If you’re particularly interested in history, food, culture, or a specific attraction, an optional excursion may be worth the additional cost.

For this particular trip, the included excursions were the right choice for me. Since I was visiting each destination for the first time, I liked getting a general overview from a local guide and then using my free time to explore independently.

Our Experience With Viking Excursions

The walking tours did require a fair amount of walking and standing, often on cobblestone streets.

Viking staff handed us cold water bottles before we left the ship in each port. This was especially appreciated because our cruise took place during a particularly hot stretch of July.

The cruise director told us Viking had added the water after receiving feedback from passengers about the heat.

Our guides were also very aware of the heat and tried to keep groups in the shade when possible. They pointed out places where people could sit and rest while they talked.

The guides were clear about where and when to meet after the tour and usually gave suggestions for things to see during our free time.

Viking’s Quietvox audio devices were particularly useful. We could hear the guide clearly even when the group was spread out along the street, so we didn’t have to crowd around the guide.

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What’s Included in a Viking River Cruise?

What’s Included

The biggest advantage for a budget-conscious traveler like me is that a Viking river cruise bundles many of the major expenses into one price.

Our cruise included:

• Accommodations
• Onboard meals
• One included excursion in each major port
• Port taxes and fees
• WiFi
• Beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Coffee

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There was also a self-serve coffee station and water fountain available 24 hours a day.

Early bird me particularly appreciated this. I could grab a cup of coffee and sit on the deck to watch the sunrise without having to wait for the dining room to open.

What’s Not Included

The additional Silver Spirits Beverage Package was not included. On our sailing, the package cost €189 per person. Both people in a cabin had to purchase the package.

Optional excursions were also an additional cost.

Transfers to and from the ship before and after the cruise were not included in our fare, and services such as laundry were additional.

Additional Costs to Expect

Gratuities were another expense to consider. On our sailing, €140 per person in gratuities were added to our cabin charges toward the end of the cruise. You could prepay gratuities before the cruise if you preferred. You could also speak with guest services about adjusting or removing the charge and tip at your own discretion.

If you’re trying to calculate the true cost of a Viking river cruise, I’d include gratuities in your budget rather than looking only at the advertised cruise fare.

Is a Viking Rhine River Cruise Worth the Money?

Where Viking Offers Good Value

As a budget-conscious traveler, I appreciated the all-inclusive nature of the cruise.

I never felt like I was constantly pulling out my wallet for every little thing.

Our accommodations, meals, included excursions, WiFi, and drinks with meals were already accounted for in our cruise fare.

The convenience was another major part of the value.

We visited several destinations while only unpacking once (ship swap aside). I loved being able to go to sleep in one destination and wake up somewhere new without changing hotels, figuring out train schedules, or arranging transportation between cities.

That doesn’t mean Viking is the cheapest way to see the Rhine.

If you’re willing to arrange your own hotels, transportation, meals, and sightseeing, you can certainly travel through the region for less.

What you’re paying for with Viking is the convenience of having many of those pieces bundled together.

How Much Did Our Viking Rhine River Cruise Cost?

We paid approximately $5,000 for two people, not including airfare.

We booked more than a year in advance, which helped us get a price we were comfortable with.

That works out to approximately $2,500 per person for the eight-day cruise, but be aware that cruise pricing can vary based on sailing date, cabin category, promotions, and how far in advance you book.

For us, the price felt reasonable for what we received.

Is Viking Worth It for a Rhine River Cruise?

For us, yes.

Part of that value came from the food. At home, we cook most of our meals and rarely eat out, so restaurant meal costs can add up quickly when we travel.

Having a variety of good-quality meals included every day was a real benefit for us.

I also appreciated having a guided tour included in each port. The tours gave us an overview of each destination and allowed us to hear about the cities from local guides before exploring independently.

For me, the combination of convenience, included experiences, and predictable expenses made the cruise feel like a good value.

Who Is a Viking Rhine River Cruise Best For?

A Viking Rhine River cruise isn’t going to be the right fit for every traveler.

The experience is more about relaxing, enjoying the scenery, exploring destinations, and having many travel expenses bundled together than it is about nonstop entertainment.

Travelers Who Will Love Viking

Viking is a good fit if you prefer a quiet, relaxed vacation over a busy, entertainment-filled cruise.

If you enjoy watching scenery go by, exploring destinations at a manageable pace, and having many expenses handled upfront, you’ll probably appreciate the experience.

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I also think Viking works particularly well for travelers who value convenience.

The upfront price isn’t inexpensive, but having accommodations, meals, included excursions, WiFi, and drinks with meals bundled into the cruise makes it easier to understand what your trip is going to cost.

Once we were onboard, I didn’t have to spend much time thinking about where we were eating, how we were getting to the next destination, or what we needed to arrange next.

For me, one of the biggest advantages was simply the ease of it.

Travelers Who May Prefer a Different Cruise

If you’re looking for a cruise with lots of onboard entertainment, Viking may feel too quiet.

You won’t find the dance clubs, casinos, large-scale nightly shows, or lively party atmosphere associated with some large ocean cruise ships.

There are activities onboard—port talks, trivia, lectures, music, and demonstrations—but they’re secondary to the main focus of the cruise.

The destinations and scenery are the entertainment.

If you’re choosing between a river cruise and a large ocean cruise, think about what you want from the ship itself.

Viking is much more about the journey and destinations than about keeping you entertained onboard.

What to Pack for a Viking Rhine River Cruise

What to Wear

Packing for a Viking Rhine River cruise is relatively casual, especially compared with many ocean cruises.

There are no formal nights and no strict dress code, so you don’t need to bring formal outfits for dinner.

Most people did make a little effort to clean up for dinner, though. I rarely saw anyone wearing shorts or flip-flops in the dining room.

For women, nice tops with pants or skirts worked well. For men, slacks and a collared shirt were common.

Nice-casual clothing that works for both sightseeing and dinner is a good approach.

What I Was Glad I Packed

A few things ended up being especially useful during our cruise:

• A lightweight scarf — I used this to cover my shoulders when visiting churches and cathedrals.
• Travel adapters for bedside plugs — The outlets near the beds were the 220V outlets that accommodate German Schuko two-pin plugs, so having adapters to charge phones bedside was helpful. There are 110V outlets in the room, but in our (standard) cabin they were near the vanity, not bedside.
• A dual-voltage curling iron — If you use heat styling tools, check that yours is dual-voltage before bringing it to Europe. I purchased an inexpensive one for travel.

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Things I’d Want to Know Before Booking a Viking Rhine River Cruise

If you’re considering a Viking Rhine River cruise, these are the things I’d want to know before booking.

1. It’s a Destination-Focused Cruise

Don’t book Viking expecting the ship to provide constant entertainment.

The ship is comfortable, but the destinations and scenery are the main attraction.

2. There Is More Walking Than You Might Expect

The cruise itself is relaxing, but the days in port can be active.

You’ll walk through historic city centers, often on cobblestones, and you’ll spend time getting on and off buses, shuttles, and the ship.

3. The Included Excursions Are Usually Walking Tours

The included tours are a great way to get oriented to each destination, but they’re not passive sightseeing experiences.

If you have mobility concerns, read the excursion descriptions carefully.

4. Summer in Europe Can Be Hot

Our July cruise coincided with a particularly hot stretch of weather.

The heat made some walking tours more challenging, particularly for members of our family who were less comfortable with extended walking and standing.

If I took another European river cruise, I’d seriously consider shoulder season.

5. Be Prepared for River Conditions to Affect Your Cruise

Water levels and docking conditions can affect a river cruise itinerary. In our case, low water levels resulted in a ship swap during the cruise.

Obviously, Viking doesn’t control the river, but I think it’s worth understanding that river cruising comes with some variables that ocean cruising doesn’t. Going in with a little flexibility can make an unexpected change much easier to handle. If you’re wondering what happens when low water requires a ship swap, I explain exactly what happened on our cruise in my Viking ship swap experience.

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Would I Take Another Viking River Cruise?

Why I’d Cruise With Viking Again

I loved the experience of river cruising, and I especially enjoyed being on a smaller ship.

The ship was easy to navigate, the staff quickly got to know us, and the overall experience felt more personal than what I’ve experienced on larger cruise ships.

I also loved the smaller port experience. Instead of arriving with thousands of other passengers, we could step off the ship and start exploring without feeling like we were part of a massive crowd.

Viking’s customer service was another highlight. The staff were friendly, attentive, and solution-oriented whenever we had a question or needed help. Given the low water conditions and the resulting ship swap, I paid particular attention to how Viking handled the unexpected changes.

While the circumstances weren’t ideal, I felt that Viking did a good job communicating with guests and keeping the trip moving.

What I’d Do Differently Next Time

For me, I’d look to book in the shoulder season.

Summer in Europe was hot, and I’d love to experience a river cruise when the temperatures are a little more comfortable.

I’d also be interested in trying a different itinerary. The Rhine was a great introduction to river cruising, but after this trip, I’m curious to see how the experience compares on the Danube, Douro, or Nile.

Final Verdict: Is a Viking Rhine River Cruise Worth It?

For me, yes. I’d absolutely take another Viking river cruise.

This trip changed my mind about river cruising. I expected to enjoy the scenery and convenience, but I didn’t expect to enjoy the slower pace and smaller-ship experience as much as I did.

Viking isn’t the right choice for everyone. If you want nonstop entertainment, nightlife, or the lowest possible price, I’d look elsewhere. And if walking is difficult for you, you’ll want to look closely at the included excursions and the logistics of getting on and off the ship.

But if you want to see several European destinations without constantly changing hotels, enjoy having many of your travel expenses bundled together, and prefer a quieter cruise experience focused on the destinations, I think a Viking Rhine River cruise is worth considering.

For our multigenerational group, the combination of convenience, included experiences, good food, beautiful scenery, and time to explore independently made this a trip I’d happily recommend.

And apparently, I wasn’t ready to leave river cruising behind.

Just two days after getting home, I was already on Viking’s website looking at future itineraries. So while the Rhine was a great introduction, I’m clearly not finished exploring by river. 😊

Would I take another Viking river cruise? Absolutely.