Viking River Cruise/Christmas markets

Viking always advertises 2 for 1, every day of the year. Just thought you should know.

In 2010 we did the 9 day Viking cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest. The first day we cruised from Nuremberg down the Main-Danube Canal to get to the Danube. I was kind of fascinated going thru the series of locks: there are more than a dozen. Over the next 8 days we cruised with stops in Regensberg, Passau, Linz, Melk, 2 days in Vienna,(Xmas eve and day, then to Budapest Christmas Day night. One full day in Budapest. We had already cruised the Rhine, so we picked this itinerary specifically for the Danube and Vienna and Budapest. My favourite market was Nuremberg, but we actually saw that market on own since we flew there two days before the actual cruise. If you do decide to take one of the Xmas market cruises, PM me for some additional details. And it didn't cost us a bucket of money.

Every time I checked their airfares, I could beat them on Orbitz/Expedia/Travelocity.

I know they are a little pricey, but part of that is the experience of the cruise, and the ambiance (and ease) of it. I realize we could do it by train, but the ease of having meals on board and meeting people, etc. appeals to me. Thanks for all the info and I'll keep researching. Sue

" the ease of having meals on board and meeting people, etc. appeals to me. " You hit the nail on the head, IMO. Plus not having to pack up, move, unpack, repeat, pack up, move, unpack, repeat. Viking passengers are from the UK, Canada, US, Australia and on one cruise I took, there was a mother/daughter from Tel Aviv.

I did "The Romantic Danube" (Budapest-Nuremberg) Christmas Market Cruise in 2011 with a friend. She is nervous about traveling on her own so a tour is the only way we can travel together. She lives in another state now so it is a wonderful way to get to see each other. My husband was delighted to pass up shopping the markets so off we went. I talked (pushed) her into arriving in Budapest 3 days early....she held up pretty well as Budapest is so easy to get around and I felt safe all the time, though she always wanted to take cabs instead of public transportation. (My husband and I went to Budapest, on our own this past year, because I loved it so much!) Glad we arrived so early because the Viking Tour just gave us a city tour. We traveled up the Danube ending in Nuremberg. It was very enjoyable. The pace was perfect and it was relaxing not to worry about meals, and constantly unpacking/packing. The mix of people were about 1/2 girls and 1/2 couples. Since I shared a room with my friend, I did not consider the trip expensive at all. I think it would be the perfect "girl's trip." (I am considering taking my daughter-in-laws on one) No one has to be in charge, no decisions about restaurants, hotels, and you have optional excursions you can take if you wish to. Go for it!

Be sure to read the reviews on Cruise Critic about Viking. You will find both pros and cons. My Viking experience was not a very good one, but might have been specific to the boat (the Prestige). Among my experiences were two days of the grey water backing up and spewing fumes in peoples rooms (luckily only fumes.) I love the concept of river cruising, just not Viking. I hope to try it again; maybe with Grand Circle. And, it IS pricey. Also, I don't know your age group, but it tends to be mostly folks in their 70's and 80's. On our boat I was one of the youngest and I was 66 at the time.