VIKING CRUISE INTRODUCTION
Our journey started off on the wrong foot. We were notified by Viking one day before our flight that we could not board our cruise ship in Amsterdam because the water level in the Rhine was too low due to the recent drought. Most passengers were very upset that we were notified so late because they may have cancelled until another year. But the show must go on. We were booked in fine hotels in Amsterdam and Cologne until we finally boarded on August 17 at Frankfurt (Original plan was Amsterdam on the 14th). VIKING INCLUSIVE VALUE
WE INCLUDE MORE FEATURES & SERVICES THAN OTHERS:
· One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
· Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
· Visits to UNESCO Sites
· Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
· Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
· 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
· Port taxes & fees
· Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
YOUR STATEROOM INCLUDES:
· River-view stateroom: Great with opportunities to feed the ducks and get some fresh air.
· Hotel-style bed with optional twin-bed configuration; luxury linens & pillows: Could hardly roll over. Comforter sheet package was too hot. Some removed the cover to use sheet covering instead.
· 40" flat-screen LCD TV with complimentary Movies On Demand
· 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports: Excellent American outlets.
· Refrigerator; security safe; hair dryer
· Spacious glass-enclosed shower: Spacious compared to postage stamp size room
· Heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror: Never fogged up; thermostat for room difficult to set comfortable temperature
· Premium Freyjaź toiletries; plush robes & slippers? Never saw these although I thought I requested them. The service desk thought they might have some left; if so, they would be delivered to our stateroom.
· Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping: Excellent steward and housekeeping services
OUR SHIP: VIKING MAGNI: Norse God of Strength, son of the mighty Norse god, Thor, Magni is believed to be the one god stronger than his father. He is so strong that he is the only one besides Thor who is able to lift Mjolnir, Thor's mighty hammer. We never saw the Magni. We cruised on the Viking Baldum, a clone of the Magni:
Zoe: I know you will have a wonderful boat journey. The ship offers many interesting tours and talks. There are local guides at each stop and you often have time to roam around on your own. Most of the tours are included. There is also local entertainment on the ship. It is very casual . Make sure to have good walking shoes since a lot of these areas have cobblestone streets. Also there are a lot of pickpockets. Try to keep cards inside your jackets. I never carried a purse but just a slim card wallet. Mike had a slim card wallet as well. You will start on the Rhine river and then go onto the Danube. You will enjoy going through the different locks on the river and seeing fishermen, joggers and bicyclists on the paths.