Grand European Tour Reviews

Our first river cruise with Viking did not disappoint! We enjoyed the excellent experience and attention we received from the staff onboard. They welcomed us onboard around 10:30am even though our boarding time was 4:00pm. We were able to leave our luggage and continue to explore Budapest. Viking provided our lunch on the first day and if we needed ...read more we could have had lunch on the last day of our cruise after checking out of our cabins at 9:00am. Viking will hold your luggage as well if you have a late flight and want to continue to see the sights after leaving the cruise. This was a thoughtful gesture.

We had a couple of things that did not go to plan. Our ship the Viking TIR had some damage because a log hit a part of the propeller and it was causing vibrations so we had an unscheduled stop in Linz so they could repair the damage. The rivers were in flood which made it difficult for the nautical crew and when we reached Passau we were advised the water level was too high for us to continue. Viking had a sister ship coming from the other side of the river and we had to pack up our things and they transferred them to the Viking VALLI whilst they put us on a bus for the planned excursion and then onto the Vali docked in Nuremberg. Because all their ships are the same we were allocated the room and we continue on without further disruption.

The included tours were informative and because we have traveled to Europe many times before we didn’t do any of the optional tours offered. I will say that I found the price of the optional tours expensive as we had been to most of the places offered and at a much cheaper cost. The food was restaurant quality and you could have as much as you wanted. The one thing I didn’t like was that lunch and dinner were at set times. The laundry was expensive however we were able to do everything except our jeans in the bathroom which had a heated floor and most things dried overnight. Most of the other passengers were in their seventies with a sprinkling of a few younger and older. Overall the experience was great and we were able to see the Christmas markets in Budapest, Vienna, Nuremberg, Kolbenz, Cologne and Amsterdam. Global Journeys and Georgie always give exceptional service and advice and we look forward to making our future travel plans with them.

I booked a Viking river cruise through Global Journeys. The booking process was easy and having a dedicated travel consultant (Tracey) was a bonus. Tracey followed up on my queries in a timely manner. I would book online through Global Journeys again.
The river cruise was enjoyable - saw some amazing places. The on board stateroom was small but serviceable. ...read more Food was of a high quality. Due to low river water levels a boat change was necessary, however this was a streamlined process. If you enjoy river cruising would recommend Viking.

This was a really wonderful cruise with Viking from Budapest to Amsterdam. We went in December to see the Christmas Markets, which we saw in every town or city we visited. They were absolutely magical! It also snowed a few times, which made it even more special.

The shore tours that we did were great and the local guides very knowledgeable. We couldn’t f ...read moreault anything on the cruise. The food at breakfast, lunch and dinner was always delicious, with plenty of choice. All of the staff on board were very friendly and always ready to help. Our room was very comfortable, with plenty of wardrobe and drawer space, which is very important.

Thank you Tracey, from Global Journeys, for your help with our booking. Global Journeys have always been great to deal with and will definitely book with them again in the future. We loved absolutely everything about our cruise and can highly recommend Viking (which we have already done) to anyone wanting to do a river cruise.

Our Viking river cruise met all our expectations and above. Unfortunately we missed the first five days because of COVID but Viking rang us every day to check we were ok and we were able to join the cruise on day 5. On arrival they upgraded us to a French verandah which was unexpected but greatly appreciated. The staff were so friendly and helpful ...read more and we could not fault the food, good variety and quality. The shore tours were excellent and the tour guides very knowledgeable. When we returned and contacted Viking about our missed days on the cruise, they were also very prompt in issuing credit vouchers to put towards another Viking cruise. We would highly recommend Viking.

This trip was the perfect reintroduction to Europe after the pandemic, 14 nights in the same extremely comfortable room but plenty of new places to explore outside every day. The highlights included the friendly and efficient staff and the huge choice of very tasty meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I would highly recommend Viking and have several ...read more times since my return. My 2 hints to family and friends are to consider the time of travel to reduce issues with low water levels in the river system and think about whether they actually need to spend the additional money for a balcony, as you actually rarely get to use it.

We absolutely loved our Viking river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. The tours offered met our needs, the staff were lovely and the food delicious. I would not hesitate to recommend this cruise.

Viking were absolutely magnificent. Staff, food etc all of the highest quality. Had a wonderful 15 days and met a lot of very nice people, some we have continued a friendship with even though we are from different parts of the world. Hannah from Global Journeys was superb to deal with. I hope to have the pleasure of booking with Hannah again! Thank ...read more you.

We thoroughly enjoyed the trip along the Danube, Main and Rhine. It was unfortunate that following heavy rain in Europe the rivers were very full and we needed to change ships after four days aboard. While this was an inconvenience to us, we needed to repack and then unpack again once on the new ship, the organisation for the changeover was well thought ...read more out by the Programme Director and other crew and caused as little bother to us as possible. Indeed, we enjoyed the chance to travel along roads and see the countryside from another perspective. Nothing was too much trouble for the crew on board and they were so friendly and welcoming. From start to finish the holiday went very smoothly.
We chose to travel with Viking as my English cousin had holidayed with them and was going to take another trip. It also meant that the majority of passengers were from other countries than Australia and gave us the chance to meet other nationalities. Regards booking through Global Journeys, Michelle looked after us all the way. Tickets and information arrived in plenty of time before we traveled and Michelle answered all our questions quickly and courteously. We would be happy to book another trip through Global Journeys. My husband enjoyed the relaxing time on the Vili so much that we are ging to sail along the Murray River in South Australia in 2017.

Viking did everything to make our journey/holiday enjoyable and easy. We lost credit cards but staff were readily available to assist in cancelling cards and obtaining new ones at a stop down the river. Would recommend this cruise to anyone. Standard very high.

Viking River Cruises were extremely efficient as to the way the cruise and onshore excursions were organised and conducted. We would travel with them again. The most important person for us was Michelle White our Global Journeys travel consultant who was most efficient and helpful in assisting with documentation and advice and we will certainly use ...read more Global Journeys and Michelle again.

Viking Grand European River Cruise (15 days) was the cruise of a lifetime. All of the staff bent over backwards to ensure our every need was met, the route and included tours provided a fabulous insight into the regions we travelled through, almost every day was another UNESCO world heritage sight.
Yvonne at Global Journeys was great to deal with ...read more to ensure everything was in order before we left. We would definitely recommend Viking River Cruises.

It was fantastic, we didn't have to do anything from the time we arrived in Budapest until we left the ship in Amsterdam. We were met at Budapest Airport, taken to the ship, upon arrival we were booked in. What more can I say from that point everything was taken care of.

Best experience yet! The staff and amenities were first class. Tours along with the tour guides made the trip so enjoyable and informative. Even when there was an incident/accident with the ship, the Captain and staff acted very professionally and helped the passengers in the process. My wife and I will not hesitate to travel with Viking and will certainly ...read more recommend them to all.

We have totally enjoyed the cruise. It was perfectly organized, accommodation and food were excellent, all the excursions very good. We would love to do another one at some point.