Trip Report: An Enchanting Viking Rhine River Cruise

Day 1: Basel, Switzerland, and Embarkation

The Swiss trains set the bar high, whisking us smoothly from Chur to Basel, where we easily took a taxi waiting outside the station to the port. Upon arrival, Viking took charge, handling our luggage and ensuring a seamless embarkation. Lunch in the dining room while awaiting our cabins was a thoughtful touch, and the cabin amenities, including heated floors, exceeded expectations. There was also a surprise walking tour of Basel on embarkation day.

Day 2: Breisach, Germany, and The Black Forest

Breisach offered a taste of authentic German life, from walking up to the cathedral for a view to exploring a nearby supermarket. It was very quiet and there wasn't much to do, but it was lovely. While the Black Forest excursion didn't quite hit the mark (for me), Breisach's charm made up for it.

Day 3: Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg, with its fairytale charm, stole the show. The cathedral left us breathless, and the Christmas market preparations had us already planning a return trip. The Taste of Germany dinner onboard was a highlight, complete with pretzels, cheeses, and a surprise gluten-free dessert.

Day 4: Speyer and Rudesheim, Germany

Speyer is an adorable little town full of beautiful architecture and cute shops. There’s also an aviation museum that I’d love to check out someday. Their Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Stephen is the largest preserved Romanesque church in Europe and dates from 1030, and its red sandstone presence is stunning.
We sailed during the afternoon to our next stop, and learned how to make Rudesheim coffee onboard, served with German afternoon tea. The Maitre D’ surprised me with my own gluten free tea tray, which was so thoughtful.

We arrived in Rudesheim at twilight, and enjoyed a leisurely stroll through its quiet, cobblestone lanes. After dinner, there was a glassblowing demonstration, which was fascinating. I purchased a beautiful, perfect little glass dragon that I love so much.

Day 5: Scenic Middle Rhine Cruising and Koblenz, Germany

The first part of this day was a gorgeous, narrated cruise through the middle Rhine, lined with so many castles. It was freezing (mid-November) and super windy on the sundeck, so be prepared with a warm hat and a thousand layers of clothing if your’e cold blooded like I am. Halfway through, Viking served everyone delicious hot chocolate, with or without “happiness” (brandy).

That afternoon we opted for the Medieval Marksburg Castle excursion, and it was so cool to set foot in a castle from the 1200s. Everything is set up as it would have been, and there's also an armory museum showing the different styles of armor through the ages.

Afterwards, we still had a little time before dinner, so we strolled through Koblenz, with hauntingly beautiful music playing in the portico near where they were setting up for their Christmas Markets… Koblenz is another city I want to go back to. We had to miss the Koblenz walking tour because we chose the castle - as much as I wanted to be in two places at once!

Another lovely Viking dinner this night and a birthday cheesecake for Mom followed by a local string quartet who played in the Lounge.

Day 6: Cologne, Germany

The Cologne Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, left us in awe, especially during Mass, where the music resonated beautifully within its hallowed halls. The reliquary containing the bones of The Three Kings and the Roman ruins scattered throughout the city offered glimpses into Cologne's rich history. Our visit to the scent museum, where the original Eau de Cologne was created in 1709, was underwhelming but interesting. Definitely don’t skip the Lindt Chocolate Museum shop for sweet treats to take home!

Day 7: Kinderdijk, The Netherlands

As we sailed through the rainy Netherlands, Kinderdijk emerged as a beacon of Dutch heritage and ingenuity. The afternoon tour of the picturesque windmills was a highlight. Climbing into one of the windmills offered a glimpse into traditional Dutch life, with our guide providing fascinating insights into their workings and living quarters. Amidst the UNESCO heritage site's serene beauty, the cozy atmosphere inside the windmill sparked whimsical thoughts of calling it home. With little else but the windmills and a quaint cafe, Kinderdijk epitomized the simplicity and charm of Dutch countryside living. Next time, I would definitely do the bike excursion!

Day 8: Debarkation in Amsterdam

Saying goodbye to the Sigyn was bittersweet, but our lovely stay at the Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam's made it easier to transition back to land. Unless you’re doing a Post-extension with Viking, or have a flight that leaves the same day as your debarkation, you're able to select your Debarkation time the night before, and the front desk will arrange a taxi pick-up.

Dietary restrictions: I can’t have gluten and I was treated like a princess! It was so nice not to feel like a burden. The waitstaff and maitre d’ went above and beyond to ensure that I was taken care of. They always brought a basket of gluten free bread without me asking, and made me special things throughout the voyage. For guests with dietary restrictions, they’ll give you a menu each day at breakfast, so you can pre-order lunch and dinner, and they can make accommodations (within reason) to make your selections without gluten or dairy or whatever you cannot have.

Shore excursions: We opted for mostly the “included” shore excursions which were a guided city walk. We added the Medieval Marksburg Castle Excursion, and the Mercedes Benz factory excursion for my Dad - these were both extra.

Ready to embark on your own Viking Rhine River Cruise? Despite a few quirks in “Viking airfare” and early pre-payment policies, the journey itself is a dream come true. Each day is filled with unforgettable experiences and moments that will stay with you long after the voyage ends. Reach out to me at megan.cash@fora.travel, and let's make your river cruise dreams a reality.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on cruise travel. In need of further inspiration? Check out my guide, A Grand Tour of Europe: From Milan to Paris with a Rhine River Cruise.