The Ultimate Upgrade

I have recently completed a one week river cruise along the Rhine between Basel in Switzerland and Amsterdam onboard one of Viking’s Longships, Viking Eir.

Flights were included in the package and we flew from London Heathrow on a British Airways scheduled flight to Basel. On arrival we were met by Viking representatives and, with the usual Viking efficiency, transferred to our waiting ship berthed in the heart of Basel.

For this cruise we had chosen a Veranda Suite (AA) on Deck 3, however we were upgraded, as a “recognition of our loyalty to Viking”, to one of the two ‘Explorer’ Suites at the stern of the ship.

Embarkation was immediate and a selection of light snacks and drinks were available on the Aquavit Terrace. For those who wished a complimentary guided walking tour of Basel was scheduled to commence at 1.30 pm.

The evening dress code onboard is officially ‘casual and relaxed’, though it was very noticeable that some passengers stretched their imagination on ‘relaxed’. Meanwhile, complimentary wines, beers and soft drinks are served with both lunch and dinner which is taken at one sitting. When considering that upwards of 176 passengers descend into the restaurant almost simultaneously, the chefs and waiting staff do an excellent job.

Each evening around 6.45 pm there is a ‘Port Talk’ presented by the ‘Programme Director’ when the following days activities are clearly explained with the aid of slides. Any general information regarding the ship is also disseminated at these meetings.

Our itinerary included stops at Breisach, a convenient stopping place for a number of excursions to the Black Forest, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, Cologne, Koblenz and Amsterdam.

This cruise was typical of the high standard offered by Viking River Cruises – with the added attraction of a number of periods of relaxed and sedate scenic cruising between stops and with longer distances covered overnight.

Of the 176 passengers onboard the UK passengers numbered 19, the majority being from the USA. Though the UK contingent was smaller than on our previous cruises this in no way impinged on the enjoyment of the cruise.