Rave Review: Viking River Cruise to Europe

Martie in Rothenburg, Germany

Martie is a new client for Brentwood Travel but a very experienced traveler with over 20 countries under her travel belt.  For her next adventure, she was curious to explore river cruising and visited the Brentwood Travel’s Cruise Expo this past January.  During her time at the show and meeting with General Manager Susan Hakenjos, she learned that a Viking River Cruise would be a perfect choice.   

Martie and her friend Denise embarked on their 15-day journey from Amsterdam to Budapest this past May. 
​Their journey started with a three-night stay in Amsterdam which Martie highly recommends to give travelers time to adjust to their new location.  Their hotel was perfectly located in the city center where she enjoyed visits to the Vincent Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum.  Martie and Denise also took a canal tour and visited The Anne Frank House.  At the end of the fourth day, they took a quick taxi ride to their boat.

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​“From the moment we stepped out of the taxi and arrived at our boat, the staff was there to assist in anyway.  The crew was ready to help and always pleasant.  And this level of excellence service was consistent during the entire voyage."
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Martie and Denise choose a balcony suite with two twin beds and felt it was plenty of space.  She really appreciated that their room was cleaned three times a day and fresh water was replenished daily. “The boat was beautiful and clean.  You just felt you were in luxury.”

A view from their boat of a church in Vienna.

A small street in Miltenberg, Germany with half timbered houses and flower boxes on the window sills.

Martie's Travel Tips:  The travel booklet that came with our Viking Cruise document was full of helpful information.  Many of our questions were easily answered by referring to it.  Be sure to read it thoroughly and keep it handy during your entire trip.  

​The itinerary was well organized and active, and she took part in 12 included excursions that were lead by local guides.  When they would arrive back at the boat, the crew would have a list of extra excursions that would be available the following day.  An avid art lover and a docent for the St. Louis Art Museum, Martie decided to take part in an excursion about Art and War.  Martie recalls “The tour was fascinating and included a tour of a bunker under the city walls."

Martie in Kinderdijk, Netherlands with 1 of 19 Windmills remarkably preserved from the 18th Century.

A castle on a hill from the Rhine River.

Martie also had rave things to say about their Program Director David.  “David would give a talk every evening about the events for the next day and what we should expect.  He had just an amazing attention to every detail.”

In addition to wonderful excursions and amenities on the boat, Martie enjoyed the entertainment that was brought onboard.  A piano player was often featured in the afternoon and an accordion player would perform different styles of music including waltz, classical, and contemporary selections.  And guest lecturers would also cover a wide range of topics.

In Wurzburg, a glass blower came onboard and Martie couldn’t resist buying a very unique gift.  “My daughter loves oil and vinegar on her salads.  He had created a bottle which holds both but keeps them separate when pouring.  It's like magic!”

Grapes growing on the hillside seen all along the Rhine River.

The sunset in Budapest seen from their Viking River boat.

​Dining on the boat was another highlight for Martie.  She enjoyed the free, open seating and the three dining options which included the bar, inside/outside deck, and formal restaurant.  There were plenty of food selections to choose and she would often customized her menu between the free choice and fixed menus.   “The chef was interactive and joined us several evenings before dinner to discuss the regional aspects of our meal.” 

Martie was also a big fan of one of her waiters, Jackson.  “He was always there to start my day and quickly learned that I enjoy a cold glass of tomato juice first thing in the morning.”

Final dinner in Germany with the staff dressed in authentic German outfits.

The dazzling city lights of Budapest.

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A favorite moment for Martie will always be their last evening in Budapest.  “The captain then took the boat about 3 miles up the Danube and slowly came back towards the city for an amazing view.  The city lights were just dazzling and this was an experience I will never forget!”

Martie's Travel Tips: Do your research ahead of your trip regarding the history of the places you will visit.  It will increase your knowledge and overall experience.  

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​Looking for a unique journey complete with excellent attention to details? 

​Contact Susan at 314-439-5700 Ext. 113 or email her to discover a perfect Viking Cruise adventure.