{"id":21090,"date":"2013-12-02T17:36:22","date_gmt":"2013-12-02T17:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livevoyagereports.com\/?page_id=834"},"modified":"2017-07-28T06:58:06","modified_gmt":"2017-07-28T12:58:06","slug":"day-8-disembarkation-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/live-voyage-reports\/viking-baldur-rhine-christmas\/day-8-disembarkation-amsterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 8 – Recapping our Journey on Viking Baldur"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Basel to Amsterdam, a journey through European Christmas<\/h3>\n
\"Our<\/a>

Our journey aboard Viking Baldur was like stepping back in time to a storybook version of Europe at Christmastime. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

During the entire week I was onboard Viking Rivers<\/b>\u2019 Viking Baldur<\/i><\/b> , readers kept asking me a single question: Danube or Rhine?<\/p>\n

\"Guests<\/a>

Guests disembark Viking Baldur for an afternoon of touring ashore in Kinderdijk, Netherlands. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

After three sailings along the Danube from Nuremberg to Budapest and reverse, I was more than ready for a change of scenery. The Danube is one of my absolute favorite river cruise destinations in the world, but I found the Rhine more than held its own during my weeklong voyage of exploration from Basel to Amsterdam.<\/p>\n

Our full day-by-day report:<\/p>\n

Viking Baldur Rhine Getaway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
DAY<\/B><\/td>PORT <\/B><\/td>ACTIVITIES<\/B><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 10, 2013<\/a><\/td>Basel, Switzerland<\/A><\/td>Arrive Basel and embark VIKING BALDUR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 11<\/a><\/td>Breisach, Germany<\/a><\/td>Black Forest scenery tour with clock-making demonstration; optional vineyard tour or Colmar excursion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 12<\/a><\/td> Strasbourg, France<\/a><\/td>Walking tour featuring Strasbourg Cathedral; afternoon at leisure.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 13<\/a><\/td> Heidelberg \/ Speyer, Germany<\/a><\/td>Half-day tour featuring Heidelberg Castle \/ Evening at leisure to enjoy cobbled streets & Speyer Cathedral.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 14<\/a><\/td> Braubach \/ Koblenz, Germany<\/a><\/td>Marksburg Castle excursion; free time along the Drosselgasse. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 15<\/a><\/td> Cologne, Germany<\/a><\/td>Walking tour & Gothic Cathedral visit; free time to visit a local brewery and sample some Kolsch.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 16<\/a><\/td>Kinderdijk, Netherlands<\/a><\/td>Tour Kinderdijk Windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 17, 2013<\/a><\/td>Amsterdam, Netherlands<\/a><\/td>Disembark VIKING BALDUR & onward journey.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n
\"Few<\/a>

Few things are quite as wonderful as Europe’s Christmas Markets, like this one in Heidelberg, Germany. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Of course, it goes without saying that the real draw for me \u2013 as it should be for any guest at this time of year \u2013 are the festive Christmas Markets. Sure, there are just as many museums, cathedrals and attractions vying for your attention as there are during the summer months, but with up to a dozen unique markets in some cities, expect to have a full day just moving from one market to the next.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The city of Strasbourg, France, remained one of my favorite ports of call on this Rhine journey. You’d have to be very jaded to not fall in love with it. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

One of my favorite markets was the smallest one; a little four-stall number in Breisach. But Strasbourg was the port I identified with the most during my week aboard Viking Baldur<\/i>; if you\u2019ve never been, it should be on the top of your list for its unique blend of French and German influence (the Rhine literally separates the two countries.)<\/p>\n

\"Hot<\/a>

Hot Gluhwein awaits customers! Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

But this journey along the Rhine reaffirmed by believe that there is no better time to take a river cruise through Europe than during the winter months. Sure, it\u2019s cold. Sure, you\u2019ll see rain or maybe even some snow. But Europe in the winter is oddly romantic; it\u2019s warm and inviting, like an illustrated Christmas children\u2019s book come to life.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The stunning atrium aboard Viking Baldur. Viking has continually tweaked each Longship it launches based on feedback from guests. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Viking has had an almost storybook-like journey over the past two years. Since the introduction of the first Viking Longships<\/b> in March 2012, the company has launched more new vessels than any other river cruise line; expanded into new markets and itineraries; and has landed some of the best folks in the industry as crew members.<\/p>\n

\"Premium<\/a>

Premium touches: L’Occitane toiletries in every stateroom. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Viking isn\u2019t targeting their river cruises as a premium product; rather, it\u2019s marketed as an extremely good product, and in that respect, my trip aboard Viking Baldur<\/i> delivered with flying colours. If you\u2019re expecting an all-inclusive or luxury product, you will be disappointed. Still, there are hints here and there of a decidedly premium experience \u2013 like L\u2019Occitane toiletries; glass bottles of water and fresh fruit in each stateroom; high-quality onboard materials; and the largest and best interactive television system I\u2019ve ever seen on any cruise ship.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how my trip stacked up:<\/p>\n

Greatest Strengths<\/b><\/p>\n

Amazing Ships<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\"Floor-to-ceiling<\/a>

Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the Viking Lounge in the setting sun in Basel, Switzerland. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

No doubt about it, the Viking Longships are only getting better with age. Rather than being carbon-copies of each other, Viking is continually re-working the onboard d\u00e9cor, carpeting, lighting, furniture, and even the placement of the light switches in staterooms and suites in an effort to better meet the wishes and desires of their guests. Other lines have great ships that are filled with neat amenities, but no one, in my opinion, is listening and making alterations as rapidly as Viking \u2013 and that\u2019s to their credit.<\/p>\n

Huge Excursion Variety<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\"Excursions<\/a>

Excursions – both free and optional – were well-organized and featured high quality guides. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

I was impressed at the enormous amount of land-based adventures being offered this year aboard Viking Baldur<\/i>. Some of these are included in your cruise fare, while others are strictly optional and carry an additional (but modest) cost that\u2019s not going to break the bank. Viking has also rolled out new pre-and-post cruise packages for next year in Bruges, Krakow, Nuremberg, The Hague and Lake Geneva. There\u2019s even a three-night pre-or-post stay offered in Nice, France, as part of the line\u2019s Portraits of Southern France<\/i> and France\u2019s Finest<\/i> itineraries.<\/p>\n

Terrific Food and Service<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Service onboard remains personable and friendly, as it has from the beginning. However, I felt the food onboard was a great improvement over previous sailings, both in terms of selection and quality. Viking\u2019s house wines \u2013 all mainly sourced from Europe \u2013 were a perfect blend of accessibility and taste. You don\u2019t have to be a connoisseur to enjoy their red and white selections. The highlight for me still remains the themed lunch, which on our sailing included traditional German specialties.<\/p>\n

Changes and Differences<\/b><\/p>\n

\"I<\/a>

I loved my stateroom, but some of the lighting controls weren’t as intuitive as on previous ships. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Reduced Aquavit Terrace Use:<\/i><\/b> <\/i>When Viking introduced the Longships, the Aquavit terrace was billed as the place to take casual meals al fresco<\/i>, within sight of the massive floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the bow. And it\u2019s true, you can still get light breakfast and lunch here, but the casual dinner options that were offered here on my last trip aboard Viking Freya<\/i> have been scrapped entirely. And I missed that, because it was one of my favorite features.<\/p>\n

Some Design Quirks<\/i><\/b>:<\/b> Viking Baldur<\/i> is the fourth Viking Longship I\u2019ve been onboard, and I still can\u2019t figure out the stateroom electrical system, which has changed with every single vessel I\u2019ve been on. It took two days of being onboard before I finally figured out the stateroom\u2019s main overhead lights are now on a dimmer; depressing the switch for five to ten seconds will bring them on. If it baffles me, I worry about how many first-time cruisers figured it out \u2013 or just assumed the lighting didn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n

\"Each<\/a>

Each Viking Longship seems to get better and better. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Still, those are minor quibbles about a product that is, overall, only growing and maturing with each successive Viking Longship that comes online. That they have managed to roll out so many new ships in such a short period of time, with 14 more on the way in March and another 14 scheduled for 2015 \u2013 not to mention, three<\/i> oceangoing cruise ships <\/b>slated for 2015, 2016, and 2017, and do it with a consistent, high quality product is nothing short of astonishing.<\/p>\n

\"All<\/a>

All Viking Longships still feature some of the largest suites afloat in Europe, located all the way aft. Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Is there a better ship? Not really. I enjoyed Viking Baldur<\/i> just as much as Viking Freya<\/i> last year, and my short stays aboard Viking Odin<\/i> and Viking Aegir<\/i>. There are small differences (dozens, actually) between the ships, but the same consistent experience is available onboard each.<\/p>\n

Personally, I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Viking \u2013 and for river cruising. And there\u2019s no better time to sail to Europe than during the festive warmth of the Christmas season.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2013 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From Basel to Amsterdam, a journey through European Christmas Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports During the entire week I was onboard Viking Rivers\u2019 Viking Baldur , readers kept asking me a single question: Danube or Rhine? After three sailings along the Danube from Nuremberg to Budapest and reverse, I was more than ready for a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":198,"parent":315,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21090"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21090"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21090\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/315"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}