{"id":15206,"date":"2015-07-15T14:40:12","date_gmt":"2015-07-15T20:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/?p=15206"},"modified":"2022-05-23T10:28:34","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T14:28:34","slug":"viking-vidar-grand-european-tour-days-1-3-cologne-germany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/2015\/07\/viking-vidar-grand-european-tour-days-1-3-cologne-germany\/","title":{"rendered":"Viking Vidar Grand European Tour Days 1- 3: Cologne, Germany"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I&#8217;m Late &#8230; Late For A Very Important Date <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0004.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17507\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0004.jpg\" alt=\"The elegant Viking Vidar at her berth in Cologne near Zoobrucke on July 15, 2015. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0004.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0004-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0004-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0004-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>The elegant Viking Vidar at her berth in Cologne near Zoobrucke on July 15, 2015. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wednesday, July 15, 2015<\/strong> This morning, as the hands of the clock struck ten, I embarked <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vikingrivercruises.com\/\">Viking River Cruises\u2019<\/a> <\/strong>brand-new <strong>Viking Longship Vidar<\/strong> in the city of <strong>Cologne, Germany<\/strong>. For me, it\u2019s Day 1 of my journey on this 15-day <strong>Grand European Tour <\/strong>that departed <strong>Amsterdam, Netherlands<\/strong> on Monday, but for the rest of the guests onboard, it\u2019s Day 3. So why did I arrive three days late? Well, the benefit of being a travel writer is that you get to see the world. The downside is that you are subject to some very bizarre events. On my previous voyage \u2013 an exciting voyage through Arctic Svalbard which you <a href=\"http:\/\/www.avidcruiser.com\/2015\/07\/02\/silver-explorer-arctic-adventure-day-1-tromso-norway\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>can read about by clicking here<\/strong> <\/a>\u2013 fog delayed our charter flight out of a remote place called Longyearbyen. By two days. That\u2019s like having the Space Shuttle arrive late to rescue you from Mars. You\u2019re that cut-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0019.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17510\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0019.jpg\" alt=\"Cologne's Cathedral, or Dom, towers over the city. Heavily bombed during World War II, the process to rebuild Cologne - and the cathedral - was a long one. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17510\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0019.jpg 678w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0019-185x280.jpg 185w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0019-640x967.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0019-600x906.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Cologne&#8217;s Cathedral, or Dom, towers over the city. Heavily bombed during World War II, the process to rebuild Cologne &#8211; and the cathedral &#8211; was a long one. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It turned into a spectacular adventure, and a real crowning achievement to our flawless voyage. But for me, it meant having to work ahead to reach <em>Viking Vidar<\/em>. And I learned a few things along the way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Double-check that the ship\u2019s phone number is in your pre-cruise booklet.<\/strong> Mine wasn\u2019t. If yours isn\u2019t, call Viking and jot it down. It\u2019s important to let the cruise line know you will be arriving late.<\/li><li><strong>Carry airline reservation phone numbers with you<\/strong>. My scheduled flights to Amsterdam with KLM were suddenly no good. No problem: I\u2019ll call KLM and change it. Only I don\u2019t have their number. It\u2019s not on any of my E-ticket recipts \u2013 and Longyearbyen isn\u2019t known for its snappy broadband internet service. Jot these down before you leave home.<\/li><li><strong>Have a backup plan<\/strong>. I didn\u2019t \u2013 and it took a lot of time to research my options. For example: flying from Oslo to Cologne yesterday would have cost $956, plus hotel. Overnighting in Amsterdam and flying here this morning at 6:00a.m. went for $420 \u2013 plus hotel at \u20ac150. Vastly cheaper. Though I don\u2019t think KLM feels as warm-and-fuzzy as I do: there were seven of us on the flight to Cologne this morning, on an 80-seater Fokker F70.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There were some more fun theatrics en-route. On my flight from Oslo to Amsterdam, the girl sitting next to me knocked her glass of red wine over, and it slid off her tray table and found a home soaking into my jeans. Normally, I\u2019d just change jeans \u2013 but my luggage was checked through to Cologne. I wouldn\u2019t see it in Amsterdam. Nor would I be able to extract a change of clothes from it. So I\u2019d spent the next 24 hours smelling like cheap airline Merlot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0008.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17508\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0008.jpg\" alt=\"A pretty summer's day along the Rhine in Cologne, Germany. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0008.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0008-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0008-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0008-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>A pretty summer&#8217;s day along the Rhine in Cologne, Germany. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This morning, my cab driver from <strong>Cologne-Bonn International<\/strong> played the whole <em>Nein-sprechen-ze-English <\/em>game, which annoyed me, as it became very apparent he spoke <em>wunderbar <\/em>English. He looked at the address. \u201c<em>Zoobrucke?! You want to go to the Zoo Bridge?\u201d<\/em> Yes, I replied. I did. \u201c<em>Mein Schiff: Viking Vidar. Viking River Cruises.\u201d<\/em> <em>Ahso!, <\/em>he replied. And, by some miracle and \u20ac34 later, I arrived just as the sleek Viking Vidar was pulling up to her berth \u2013underneath the so-called \u201cZoo Bridge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0044.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17517\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0044.jpg\" alt=\"The Hohenzollernbrucke serves as a rail bridge...and a testament to the power of love. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0044.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0044-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0044-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0044-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>The Hohenzollernbrucke serves as a rail bridge&#8230;and a testament to the power of love. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0055.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17518\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0055.jpg\" alt=\"Thousands upon thousands of &quot;Love Locks&quot; are chained to the barriers that separate the pedestrian walkway from the main rail tracks of the bridge. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0055.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0055-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0055-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0055-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Thousands upon thousands of &#8220;Love Locks&#8221; are chained to the barriers that separate the pedestrian walkway from the main rail tracks of the bridge. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s something decidedly wonderful about boarding a Viking River Cruises Longship. Although minor changes and improvements have been made to each, to me it feels like coming home when I walk down that cabin corridor. It\u2019s a feeling I only get from a few cruise lines, but the more I sail with Viking, the more I both love and appreciate it. Boarding a Viking Longship for the second, third or tenth time is like a warm embrace from an old friend. Why? It smells a certain way \u2013 a mixture of new ship, soft cleaning liquids and French-milled L\u2019Occitane bath amenities. The Nordic-inspired textures and colour palettes are soothing. Everything from the placement of the power ports to the wine and spirits menu has been meticulously designed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0030.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17514\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0030.jpg\" alt=\"Merzenich offers all kinds of German delicacies. Pack your appetite! Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0030.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0030-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0030-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0030-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Merzenich offers all kinds of German delicacies. Pack your appetite! Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0029.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17513\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0029.jpg\" alt=\"When in Germany...get the pretzel! Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0029.jpg 678w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0029-185x280.jpg 185w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0029-640x967.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0029-600x906.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>When in Germany&#8230;get the pretzel! Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0037.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17515\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0037.jpg\" alt=\"Cologne Hauptbanhof, or Central Station, is steps from the Dom - and your river cruise ship! Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0037.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0037-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0037-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0037-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Cologne Hauptbahnhof, or Central Station, is steps from the Dom &#8211; and your river cruise ship! Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0028.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17512\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0028.jpg\" alt=\"The main shopping district of Cologne: a powerhouse, even on a Wednesday afternoon! Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0028.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0028-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0028-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0028-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>The main shopping district of Cologne: a powerhouse, even on a Wednesday afternoon! Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>My home for the week is my favorite type of accommodation: the <strong>Category A Veranda Stateroom<\/strong> on Deck 3. Identical to the <strong>Category B Veranda <\/strong>on Deck 2 in all respects except physical location, these are some of the best-designed river cruise accommodations afloat. And for the first time, I can\u2019t pick out any discernable changes! Viking has been constantly tweaking little things. You\u2019ll notice the power ports on <em>Viking Vidar<\/em> are located at either end of the desk and vanity area (substantially improved since the design on the 2012 <em>Viking Odin<\/em> and her three direct sisters), and that additional ports and light switches are conveniently located next to either side of the bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0408.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17522\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0408.jpg\" alt=\"&quot;Home&quot; at last! My Category A Balcony Staterioom aboard Viking River Cruises' brand-new Viking Vidar! Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0408.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0408-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0408-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0408-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>&#8220;Home&#8221; at last! My Category A Balcony Staterioom aboard Viking River Cruises&#8217; brand-new Viking Vidar! Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0410.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17523\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0410.jpg\" alt=\"Category A staterooms, like Category B rooms, contain a decent vanity and work area, plenty of power outlets, and a video-on-demand system that is just unrivaled in the industry. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0410.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0410-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0410-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0410-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Category A staterooms, like Category B rooms, contain a decent vanity and work area, plenty of power outlets, and a video-on-demand system that is just unrivaled in the industry. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Lighting in the stateroom is, again, fabulous: the main stateroom lights are on dimmers, and accent lighting located behind the bed can be turned on or off according to your preference. Two bedside lamps are manually-controlled, as are two small inset reading lights. Just push the light in and it will turn on, and can be adjusted to your specifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0411.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17524\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0411.jpg\" alt=\"Let's not forget the bed: the most important part of the room. Note the soothing Scandinavian-inspired decor that would go on to provide the basis for Viking Cruises' first oceangoing passenger ship, Viking Star. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0411.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0411-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0411-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0411-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Let&#8217;s not forget the bed: the most important part of the room. Note the soothing Scandinavian-inspired decor that would go on to provide the basis for Viking Cruises&#8217; first oceangoing passenger ship, Viking Star. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0412.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17525\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0412.jpg\" alt=\"Never out of reach: bedside power outlets and lighting controls. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0412.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0412-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0412-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0412-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Never out of reach: bedside power outlets and lighting controls. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0413.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17526\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0413.jpg\" alt=\"Even the balcony has a light! Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0413.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0413-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0413-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0413-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Even the balcony has a light! Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The bathroom still has everything I have always loved about it: heated floors. L\u2019Occitane toiletries. An adjustable shower head. High-quality fixtures. Small details in the design may have changed over time (anyone ever snag their shirt real bad on the sink towel rack on <em>Viking Odin<\/em> and <em>Viking Njord<\/em>?), but the popular layout and amenities have remained the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0402.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17520\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0402.jpg\" alt=\"The bathroom of my Category A Balcony Stateroom aboard Viking Vidar: essentially unchanged from last year's generation of Longships. Why mess with a good thing? Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0402.jpg 678w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0402-185x280.jpg 185w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0402-640x967.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0402-600x906.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>The bathroom of my Category A Balcony Stateroom aboard Viking Vidar: essentially unchanged from last year&#8217;s generation of Longships. Why mess with a good thing? Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0403.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17521\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0403.jpg\" alt=\"The shower features a two-partition glass door system and an adjustable, removable, showerhead. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0403.jpg 678w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0403-185x280.jpg 185w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0403-640x967.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0403-600x906.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>The shower features a two-partition glass door system and an adjustable, removable, showerhead. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Viking also provides complimentary bottled water in staterooms, along with complimentary wine, beer and spirits during lunch and dinner. The term <em>free-flowing<\/em> most definitely applies here; don\u2019t expect waiters to give you the hard sell for the <strong>Silver Spirits<\/strong> package, or to limit your wine during this period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0414.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17527\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0414.jpg\" alt=\"My Category A balcony is small but generous for a river cruise ship. You can sit and read a book here quite comfortably. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0414.jpg 678w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0414-185x280.jpg 185w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0414-640x967.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0414-600x906.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>My Category A balcony is small but generous for a river cruise ship. You can sit and read a book here quite comfortably. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Asthetically,<em> Viking Vidar<\/em> is a tour-de-force. If you\u2019ve sailed with Viking River Cruises before, you\u2019ll know what to expect. But the thing that gets me is how much I look <em>forward<\/em> to returning to this style of cruising. Sure, materials change. Carpets change. Textures, artwork, lighting \u2013 it all changes. But the general arrangement plans do not: if you have been on a Viking Longship before, you\u2019ll find it\u2019s easy to remember your way around!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0427.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17530\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0427.jpg\" alt=\"Viking Vidar's exquisite atrium. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17530\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0427.jpg 678w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0427-185x280.jpg 185w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0427-640x967.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0427-600x906.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Viking Vidar&#8217;s exquisite atrium. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0436.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17532\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0436.jpg\" alt=\"Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0436.jpg 678w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0436-185x280.jpg 185w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0436-640x967.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0436-600x906.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The other thing that remains constant is the crew: they are friendly, accommodating, and mostly European. That means your bartender might know the best place to grab a beer in Bratislava. Or your head waiter might tell you about an off-the-beaten path spot that\u2019s got an amazing bookstore. No one knows Europe like Europeans, after all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0433.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17531\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0433.jpg\" alt=\"Like Viking's other Longships, plenty of cozy seating areas are available clustered around the Deck 2 and Deck 3 levels of the atrium. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0433.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0433-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0433-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0433-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Like Viking&#8217;s other Longships, plenty of cozy seating areas are available clustered around the Deck 2 and Deck 3 levels of the atrium. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The other thing I love: little touches. The music channels on the in-stateroom TV, which I <em>always <\/em>turn on and <em>always<\/em> have on throughout the day. Sometimes, river cruising is just better with a soundtrack! Then, there\u2019s the high quality bed linens. The comfy pillows. The chairs in the lounge that are so relaxing that you (and your fellow guests) might fall asleep in them. The wonderful, soothing, Aquavit \u2013 a Norwegian spirit no doubt put onboard at the request of Viking founder and entrepreneur <strong>Torstein Hagen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0420.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17529\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0420.jpg\" alt=\"Viking Vidar also sports a newer QuietVox audio headset design. It's also smaller and lighter. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0420.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0420-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0420-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0420-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Viking Vidar also sports a newer QuietVox audio headset design. It&#8217;s also smaller and lighter. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Hagen has been hitting the throttle on his river cruise empire since 2012. The first four Viking Longships were christened in Amsterdam in March of that year. Everyone thought Tor Hagen was nuts for building \u2013 and christening \u2013 four brand-new river cruise vessels at once. I still remember the first time I saw a Viking Longship. I\u2019d already river cruised before on an excellent line, but when I stepped onboard <em>Viking Odin<\/em>, I knew Viking was going to be a hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17534\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446.jpg\" alt=\"The Viking Lounge: design perfected. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>The Viking Lounge: design perfected. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17534\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446.jpg\" alt=\"The Viking Lounge: design perfected. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0446-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>The Viking Lounge: design perfected. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The whole product gelled. There was a consistency there that was missing before from other river cruise products. Amenities that hadn\u2019t existed, like the two massive <strong>Explorer\u2019s Suites<\/strong> situated all the way at the stern. Viking took a gamble \u2013 and it paid off. And that\u2019s good for the industry. You see, Viking does a lot of television advertising. It\u2019s expensive. It\u2019s time-consuming. And it\u2019s horribly effective. So the remainder of the industry has no cause for complaint; after all, when Viking\u2019s ships are full, prospective guests will look at other lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0452.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17536\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0452.jpg\" alt=\"Viking's greatest achievement...the Aquavit Terrace. Here, casual lunch is being served.\" class=\"wp-image-17536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0452.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0452-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0452-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0452-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Viking&#8217;s greatest achievement&#8230;the Aquavit Terrace. Here, casual lunch is being served.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0457.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17537\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0457.jpg\" alt=\"...the striking Aquavit Terrace. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0457.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0457-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0457-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0457-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Lunch outdoors, anyone? Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0417.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17528\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0417.jpg\" alt=\"Note the textures and materials Viking has used on their Viking Longships. Nothing generic about that! Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0417.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0417-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0417-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0417-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Note the textures and materials Viking has used on their Viking Longships. Nothing generic about that! Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Years ago, Tor Hagen said Viking didn\u2019t have to be \u201cthe best\u201d. They just had to be \u201cvery good\u201d, and be able to do so consistently. It\u2019s not easy to launch 50 brand-new river cruise ships in the last three years. It\u2019s even harder to keep your product consistent. Yet Viking has done just that \u2013 and my first few hours onboard have shown me that the level of quality I\u2019ve come to expect of Viking has not subsided in the least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0068.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17519\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0068.jpg\" alt=\"Viking Vidar and Cologne's Dom, together at last. Photo \u00a9  2015 Aaron Saunders\" class=\"wp-image-17519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0068.jpg 870w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0068-280x185.jpg 280w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0068-640x424.jpg 640w, https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ftdc_vikingvidar_cologne-0068-600x397.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Viking Vidar and Cologne&#8217;s Dom, together at last. Photo \u00a9 2015 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Our Live Voyage Report <\/em><\/strong><em>from onboard <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vikingrivercruises.com\/\">Viking River Cruises\u2019 Viking Vidar\u2019s Grand European Tour<\/a> <\/strong>continues tomorrow as we arrive in <strong>Koblenz, Germany<\/strong> and the Middle Rhine! Be sure to follow along with our adventures on Twitter <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/deckchairblog\/\"><em>@deckchairblog<\/em><\/a><em>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;m Late &#8230; Late For A Very Important Date Wednesday, July 15, 2015 This morning, as the hands of the clock struck ten, I embarked Viking River Cruises\u2019 brand-new Viking Longship Vidar in the city of Cologne, Germany. For me, it\u2019s Day 1 of my journey on this 15-day Grand European Tour that departed Amsterdam, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":17519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","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":"full-width-content","footnotes":""},"categories":[87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15206"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"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=15206"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15206\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}