The Pros and Cons of the Viking Ve River Cruise

For my 60th birthday, I decided to splurge on a trip on a European River Cruise to celebrate six decades of living. I reasoned that if I was going to Europe, I didn’t want to see only one country. I am all about “more for less” and finding value in a travel deal if international flights are part of the travel. So I chose the Grand European Tour on Viking Cruises and invited a dear friend to join me on the journey.

Like any travel experience, the Viking Ve has its advantages and disadvantages. In this post, you will find my personal experience with this cruise. I hope it will help you figure out whether it’s for you.

So, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of embarking on the Viking Ve River Cruise.

The Viking River Cruise: Overview

The Viking River Cruise cost approximately $10,000 for my friend and me to see four countries in 15 days. Our ship, The Viking Ve, is named for the Norse god Ve and accommodated 190 guests, had 53 crew members and is 433 feet long. 

There are many river cruise brands to choose from. Some of the most popular ones are AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Scenic, Tauck, Avalon and Emerald. I chose Viking because I was most familiar with its brand.

The Viking Ve River Cruise is one of the most luxurious and culturally enriching river cruises in Europe. Operated by Viking River Cruises, the Viking Ve is a part of their Longship fleet, designed specifically for smooth sailing along Europe’s iconic waterways.

My particular cruise route took me from Budapest, Hungary, to Vienna and Melk, Austria. Then I traveled through stunning landscapes, historic cities, and charming villages in Germany, including the destinations of Regensburg, Bamberg and Cologne. Our European river voyage took us on the Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers for two weeks, with the last port being Amsterdam. For all of us Americans, Main is pronounced “mine,” like this is yours and that is mine.

Finally, we explored the Netherlands and visited Kinderdijk and Amsterdam. The Viking Ve is known for its elegant Scandinavian design, top-notch service, and immersive cultural experiences.

Pros of the Viking Ve River Cruise

1. Intimate and Relaxing Experience

Unlike large ocean cruises, the Viking Ve accommodates under 200 passengers, making it a more intimate and personal experience.

Since it’s so small, you immediately make fast friends with other passengers. We enjoyed getting to know new friends from Australia, Hawaii and all over other parts of the world and the United States. A fun mother/daughter was traveling from Australia, and the daughter (Joanna) and I shared the same birthday. We celebrated our birthdays together and met up with other couples and new friends, and had wine together every evening.

The smaller size of the ship allows for a peaceful and relaxing journey without the crowds found on larger vessels. It attracts discerning travelers who respect each other’s space.

Speaking of relaxing, I have to give you the best tip on how to get over the travel lag that you often feel after taking a journey from the States to Europe. 

On the first day we were in Budapest, we hit the ground running and booked an experience through Viator at the Szechenyi Thermal Bath. We booked a morning slot and worked our way through a progression of 21 pools of various degrees of heat. I even jumped into the freezing cold plunge pool before enjoying the outside thermal baths. This experience helped to rejuvenate us. 

Book Thermal Bath experience with Viator

That afternoon, we participated in a “Budapest By Bike” excursion offered by Viking. Our sightseeing trip included a knowledgeable tour guide, and we had an excellent three-hour leisurely ride around Budapest and Margaret Island.

2. Scenic and Cultural Enrichment

One of the biggest draws of a Viking River Cruise is the breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re cruising along the Rhine or the Danube, you’ll pass picturesque landscapes, medieval castles, and historic cities.

My favorite time of the day was first thing in the morning when I would take my coffee outside on the Aquavit Terrace and enjoy seeing the tiny villages come to life.

Additionally, Viking places a strong emphasis on cultural enrichment, offering guided excursions, onboard lectures, and destination-inspired cuisine.

For instance, while we were traveling through Passau, Germany, the chef served Black Forest Cake, which is popular in the German-speaking Danube region. We were delighted to enjoy dense layers of chocolate and vanilla pound cake, sour cherries, German buttercream and bittersweet chocolate ganache. And as we went through the Bavarian region, we munched on huge pretzels the Chef had prepared.

3. Well-Designed and Comfortable Ships

The Viking Ve is among 55 longships in Viking’s fleet, and all of the longships are designed with Scandinavian minimalism in mind, offering bright and airy spaces, comfortable staterooms, and open-air balconies.

The ship offers a clean look that blends modern luxury with a minimal aesthetic. As you enter, you go into a stunning atrium that features a grand staircase. The ship features a beautiful lounge designed with light woods and neutral tones. Staterooms are compact yet luxurious, featuring modern furnishings, heated bathroom floors and comfortable beds with crisp linens.

Our group really enjoyed the walking trail on top of the ship, and I loved that the longship has its own herb garden in the middle of the walking trail. The fragrance of rosemary, thyme and other herbs was so refreshing as we got exercise each day.

A signature feature of Viking river ships, the Aquavit Terrace, is an indoor-outdoor lounge at the front of the ship. We often landed here for alfresco dining. This understated luxury experience is what defines the brand.

People have often asked me what people wore on The Viking Ve, and it’s interesting to note that most men simply wore nice collared golf shirts and khakis. The women wore comfortable pants and skirts, and there was not a lot of “dressing up” on board.

Make sure to check out my detailed post about what to wear on cruises to get a better understanding of what’s suitable.

4. All-Inclusive Experience

Unlike some cruise lines that charge extra for excursions, Viking includes many experiences in the base fare. Shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and wine or beer with meals are all part of the package, making it a great value for travelers who appreciate an all-inclusive experience.

Along with the curated shore excursions with well-trained tour guides, we also had additional interesting activities such as a live demonstration from Executive Chef Dennis to learn how to make Apple Strudel.

Some of the evening activities included a live glassblowing demonstration and a musical performance when we had three musicians from Nuremberg come on board and host “An Evening of Roma & Klezmer Music.”

5. Personalized and Attentive Service

With a high staff-to-guest ratio of one staff member to every two passengers, service aboard the Viking Ve is attentive and personalized.

Crew members take the time to remember guests’ names, preferences, and special requests, adding to the luxury experience. And indeed, the second time I came on board, the Guest Services Director called me “Ms. Anderson,” and I was supremely impressed.

Cons of the Viking Ve River Cruise

1. Higher Price Point

Compared to some other river cruise operators and certainly compared to independent travel, Viking’s cruises come at a premium price.

While the all-inclusive nature helps justify the cost, it may not be the best option for budget-conscious travelers.

2. Limited Onboard Entertainment

Unlike large ocean liners that offer casinos, theaters, and a variety of entertainment options, Viking’s ships focus more on relaxation and cultural enrichment.

At age 60, I was definitely on the “younger side” of the demographic on board. I would guess that most of the clientele on our ship were in their early 70s. 

If you’re looking for vibrant nightlife or entertainment, you may find the options onboard somewhat limited. And, I personally didn’t care for our onboard musician’s “energy level.”  He played the piano, but he wasn’t really creative.

Also, I really missed having a pool onboard, but space is limited for this type of vessel, so you will not find a gym or spa either. For people who value their “gym” time, this type of cruise is probably not for you.

>> Read: Packing Light for a Cruise: 8 Hacks You Need

3. Potential for Water Level Disruptions

One of the challenges with river cruising is that water levels can impact the itinerary. High or low water levels can lead to itinerary changes, port substitutions, or even the need for bus transfers between locations. Luckily for us, there had been great rainfall levels before our trip, so we didn’t have any disruptions in our itinerary.

Although our water levels were perfect for cruising, I never anticipated how many locks we would experience on our journey. We actually went through 68 of them, and the downside of this is that you often cannot go on the upper deck when you are in the lock. Therefore, if you had plans to spend an afternoon getting exercise or enjoying the views from the upper deck, it was often closed.

When you go through the lock, the water level changes, and the ship moves up or down. To ensure the safety of passengers, the railings on the top deck collapse and all the chairs are put away to “clear” the bridge and other structures. None of us knew this when we booked our cruise, and we were greatly disappointed that we were stuck inside on beautiful days. 

4. Not Ideal for Families with Young Children

Viking River Cruises are designed for mature travelers, and the minimum age requirement is 18. This makes it an excellent choice for adults and retirees, but not suitable for families with young children.

5. Shorter Time in Ports

Because river cruises move between multiple cities and towns, time in each port is often limited. Travelers who prefer to explore destinations in-depth may find the tight schedule restrictive.

Our shore excursions typically started at 8:45 a.m. and would return to the Viking Ve by 5:30 p.m. However, I do have to mention that the ports we visited are real cities with culturally interesting stories. This experience is not like Caribbean ocean ports, where you have people trying to sell you their goods in a “mall” type scenario.

At many of our ports, we often had until midnight to enjoy the cities, and we took advantage of this. When we were in Vienna, Austria, we learned that a popular singer-songwriter from Australia named Kyle Lionhart was performing while we were in port. We bought tickets and got to experience his music at an intimate bar called Rhiz. On top of that, we had an Austrian beer and had an authentic Vienna experience.

The Viking River Cruise: Is it Worth It?

For me, it was the ultimate European journey that allowed me to see new parts of the world luxuriously.

Ultimately, the Viking Ve River Cruise is a superb option for travelers who appreciate a refined, all-inclusive experience with a focus on culture and history. It’s ideal for couples, retirees, and those who prefer an intimate and scenic journey through Europe’s rivers.

However, it may not be the best fit for budget travelers, those seeking lively onboard entertainment, or families with children. If your priority is a relaxing, culturally immersive trip with excellent service, then the Viking Ve is certainly worth considering.

Make sure to read my post featuring the most unique things to bring on a cruise next to make the most out of your trip!

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Jenny Lynn on a Journey Travel Blog contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate marketing programs. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you.