What It's Really Like Onboard Viking River Cruises
When it comes to river cruising, Viking is perhaps the most well-known and prestigious brand in the industry. As seasoned ocean cruisers who have sailed on over 75 voyages, my wife Heidi and I were excited to try our first Viking river cruise and see how it compared to our previous cruise experiences.
For our inaugural river cruise, we set sail on Viking's 8-day "Paris & the Heart of Normandy" itinerary, which explored the Seine River and the historic Normandy region of France. From the moment we arrived at the airport to the final disembarkation, we were thoroughly impressed by the level of service, attention to detail, and seamless logistics that Viking provided.
Exceptional Service from Start to Finish
One of the things that sets Viking apart is their commitment to providing an exceptional, all-inclusive experience for their guests. The moment we landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, we were greeted by a Viking representative wearing a bright red coat who quickly escorted us to a waiting bus that transported us directly to our ship, the Viking Radgrid.
This level of personalized service and handholding continued throughout our journey. Viking handles all the logistics, from airport transfers to shore excursions, allowing guests to simply relax and enjoy the experience. Even for seasoned travelers like ourselves, it was a welcome relief not to have to worry about the details.
No Need for a Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay
Another aspect of Viking's thoughtful itinerary planning is the inclusion of an extra day at the embarkation port. This means there's no need for a pre-cruise hotel stay, unless you want to extend your time in Paris. The ship stays docked in Paris for the entire first day, giving guests ample time to arrive, get settled, and explore the city on their own before the cruise officially begins.
This was a huge benefit, as it eliminated the stress and expense of booking a pre-cruise hotel. It also provided a seamless transition from our flight to the ship, with Viking representatives waiting to greet us and assist with our luggage.
Streamlined Embarkation Process
The embarkation process onto the Viking Radgrid was equally smooth and efficient. We were quickly checked in, escorted to our stateroom, and had our luggage delivered within minutes of arriving at the ship. The entire process was stress-free and set the tone for the rest of our voyage.
What's Included (and What's Not) on a Viking River Cruise
One of the key things to understand about Viking River Cruises is what's included in the cruise fare and what's not. On all Viking River Cruises, the following is included:
- All meals on the ship
- Beer and wine at lunch and dinner
- One included shore excursion at each port of call
- One device's worth of Wi-Fi per passenger
- Specialty coffee, tea, soda, and bottled water
However, there are a few things that are not included in the base cruise fare:
- Room service (not available on Viking River Cruises)
- Fitness center, spa, or casino (these amenities are not offered on Viking's river ships)
- Additional alcoholic beverages beyond beer and wine at meals
Dining Onboard the Viking Radgrid
Dining is an important aspect of any cruise experience, and Viking River Cruises delivers with their culinary offerings. The Viking Radgrid had two main dining venues: the formal Restaurant on Deck 6 and the more casual Aquavit Terrace on Deck 3.
The Restaurant served breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a variety of options and local specialties. Meals followed a consistent routine, with breakfast available from around 7:00 AM, lunch from noon to 2:00 PM, and dinner starting around 7:00 PM. All meals were open seating, allowing guests to mingle and meet new people.
The Aquavit Terrace offered the same lunch and dinner menus as the Restaurant, but in a more casual, al fresco setting. Unfortunately, the outdoor seating area was closed for much of our cruise due to inclement weather, so securing one of the limited indoor tables became a bit of a competition.
While the dining options were generally excellent, with high-quality ingredients and thoughtful regional specialties, we did miss the more casual, grab-and-go options that are common on larger ocean cruise ships. The lack of a true buffet or the ability to order room service meant that our dining experiences were always a sit-down affair.
Onboard Amenities and Public Spaces
Compared to the grand, sprawling ships of the ocean cruise world, the Viking Radgrid felt much more intimate and cozy. With only four decks and a passenger capacity of around 160, the public spaces were relatively limited.
Deck 2 housed the Guest Services desk and a small onboard shop, while Deck 3 featured a small library, an internet café, and the main lounge. Deck 4 was the full-length sun deck, offering outdoor seating and a walking track.
One unique feature of the Viking Radgrid was the hydraulic wheelhouse on the top deck. Unlike the traditional bridge on an ocean ship, this wheelhouse could be lowered automatically when navigating low bridges, a common occurrence on river cruises.
While the onboard amenities were more limited than what you'd find on a large ocean liner, the intimate and cozy atmosphere of the Viking Radgrid was part of its charm. The focus was on the destination and the immersive cultural experiences, rather than the ship itself.
Onboard Activities and Enrichment
One area where Viking River Cruises differed from our previous ocean cruise experiences was the level of onboard activities and enrichment. With each day consisting of at least one new port of call, there was less downtime and fewer organized activities on the ship.
The primary source of onboard entertainment was the daily port talks given by the Program Director, Mia. These informative sessions provided an overview of the next day's shore excursions and any important logistical information. Mia also hosted a French language lesson and a fun game show that was well-attended by guests.
Beyond these scheduled activities, the evenings on the Viking Radgrid were relatively quiet, with live local musicians performing in the lounge. We would have enjoyed seeing more enrichment opportunities, such as lectures on the history and culture of the regions we were visiting, or additional group activities to foster camaraderie among the guests.
That said, the focus of a river cruise is often on the destinations themselves, with the ship serving more as a comfortable floating hotel. The lack of extensive onboard programming allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the local experiences ashore.
Our Cozy Stateroom on the Viking Radgrid
Our home for the week was a Veranda Stateroom on Deck 2 of the Viking Radgrid. While the 205-square-foot cabin felt cozy compared to the expansive suites on larger ocean ships, it was well-appointed and designed to maximize the available space.
The bathroom was tiled and featured a spacious shower with double-sided glass doors, as well as premium bath products and heated floors – a luxurious touch. Across from the bathroom was the closet, which provided ample storage space for our belongings.
The centerpiece of the stateroom was the queen-sized Viking Explorer bed, which faced a small seating area with a desk and chair. Having the private balcony was a real highlight, allowing us to enjoy the ever-changing riverscapes as we sailed through the French countryside.
While the cabin felt a bit snug at times, the attention to detail and the thoughtful design made it a comfortable and functional home base for our river cruise adventure.
Exploring the Itinerary: Paris, Normandy, and Beyond
The 8-day "Paris & the Heart of Normandy" itinerary that we sailed on with Viking was a fantastic way to experience the history, culture, and natural beauty of this region of France. The cruise included a total of seven ports of call, as well as two days in Paris at the beginning and end of the voyage.
Our time in Paris was unfortunately hampered by inclement weather, which limited our ability to explore the city on our own. However, the included panoramic city tour and optional excursions to Versailles and the Louvre provided a solid introduction to the French capital.
Some of the highlights of the itinerary included:
- Strolling the picturesque streets of the charming village of La Roche-Guyon
- Touring the historic city of Rouen, with its stunning 12th-century cathedral
- Retracing the steps of the Allied troops at the Normandy Landing Beaches
- Spending a full day in the quaint village of Les Andelys, home to the Château Gaillard
- Visiting Napoleon's Château de Malmaison on the final day of the cruise
While the quality of the included shore excursions varied, we found the local guides to be consistently knowledgeable and engaging. The opportunity to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations and immerse ourselves in the history and culture of the region was truly the highlight of our Viking River Cruise experience.
Conclusion: A Seamless and Enriching River Cruise Experience
After our first Viking River Cruise, it's clear why the brand is so highly regarded in the industry. From the exceptional service and attention to detail to the thoughtfully curated itinerary, Viking provided us with a seamless and enriching travel experience.
While the onboard amenities and activities were more limited compared to ocean cruising, the focus on the destination and cultural immersion made this river cruise truly memorable. We were able to explore historic sites, picturesque villages, and the stunning French countryside in a way that would not have been possible on a larger cruise ship.
If you're looking to step outside of your comfort zone and try a different style of cruising, I highly recommend considering a Viking River Cruise. With their commitment to quality, attention to detail, and focus on the destination, it's an experience that will leave a lasting impression.
