Paul, Shirley, Bob, Anna, Loren and Pam go up the Rhine

 






Friday April 18, 2025

 

Welcome to our Blog. We booked this cruise a few years ago and now can hardly believe it is about to happen.  Then, today, we received in the mail “The Package”. This is what Viking sends out in preparation to travel. There are luggage tags that identify our cabin number, Luggage tags that we can attach to our suitcases (we have quite a collection by now), stickers that we are to wear when deplaning so the Viking host can identify us, and usually a surprise.  This cruise we were sent two large fiber bags (no doubt to keep all our discoveries and bits and bobs we find during our excursions. So, the “The Package” arrives we know it’s real and we begin our blog.  Here we go!


“The Package”

 

 

 

Comments

  1. BobApril 20, 2025 at 9:40 AM

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  2. BobApril 20, 2025 at 9:41 AM

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  3. BobApril 20, 2025 at 9:45 AM

    Ann & Bob live in Madison Lake, MN. We’ve gone on ocean cruises (most with Viking), but not a river cruise. We had booked this cruise with Paul & Shirley years ago and then Covid happened. We got a good deal on the postponement and booked the South Atlantic Crossing, a 3 weeker. We have found Viking to be our chosen cruise line. It checks all the boxes. I like the casual, yet very professional feel and treatment you get with Viking. You can book everything with them, air, pre and post extensions. You pay a premium, but they take care of everything and they don’t nickel and dime you. They do a good job, but like everyone, they run into bumps on the road. Most cruises we’ve been on have had port call or itinerary changes. These were due to political issues, weather or medical emergencies. Things no one can control. I’m amazed at how they can re-arrange the cruise stops and the day’s schedule for just under 1,000 people at a moment’s notice. I talked about this with one of the staff. He said in the old days you had to go into port and maybe bribe officials with alcohol and cigars just to be allowed to dock. So they were really flying by the seat of their pants.
    We love to travel and see how things are done elsewhere. It’s a big world. I’ve really enjoyed the lecturers that the Viking ocean ships had. They gave us history and much more about the regions we were visiting. I found them all a good listen and also very approachable. They are also on vacation. Like most guests, they seem generally glad to talk with you.
    Now on to parts of Europe that we haven’t visited before. Both Ann & I have ancestors from this area. Loren and my great-grandparents emigrated from the Wurtemberg region along the border of Germany and Switzerland. My namesake came from Holland 13 generations ago.

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  4. Loren April 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM

    Loren & Pam are a retired couple living in Windsor, WI. We are first time Viking travelers. We previously planed to do this trip but it was at a time when COVID was starting to heat up and so the trip was canceled. We have read many good accounts of Viking trips so decided this was the one we wanted. Last year I was invited to play a game of golf with Bob and Paul. During the round they began discussing the trip and were kind enough to invite Pam and I to join them for the Rhine cruse. So we did.

    We booked our trip directly with Viking and found it to be a good experience. Since the original booking we have been in touch with various Viking agents to book extensions and modify air travels. They have all been knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. I would book directly again.

    We're anxiously awaiting our May departure date.

    ReplyDelete

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