2 river cruises accross Europe (January and October 2025)

I had been wanting to explore Europe along its rivers for some time. After my first experience on a river cruise, on the Seine, from Paris to Honfleur, which was a pleasant surprise, I wanted to discover other places, and in particular a classic of the kind, on the Danube, from Budapest to Amsterdam at the end of the Rhine.

I am referring here to two river cruises, both ending in Amsterdam. The first departure is in January 2025 from Basel, Switzerland. The second departure is in October 2025 from Budapest, Hungary.

To board the first leg, take a direct train from Paris to Basel on the day of departure, aboard a TGV Lyria. The cruise already began with an overnight stay in Basel, allowing time to explore the city, with seven nights spent on the Rhine.

The second part began with a Paris-Budapest flight on Air France, and two nights at the Pullman hotel. My suitcase didn’t travel on the same plane as me… it arrived at the hotel 24 hours late, but just in time to avoid ruining my river cruise!

The cruise on the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers lasts for 2 weeks, with one night spent in Budapest and also one night spent in Vienna.

Viking Long Ships

With nearly 80 ships on the rivers, Viking Cruises is a key player in river cruising. The “Long Ships” are a series of identical river boats, specially designed to navigate rivers and waterways, pass under bridges, go through numerous locks, and anchor in major cities or in the countryside.

Their capacity is 95 cabins, double occupancy, therefore 190 passengers. There is a restaurant, as well as an extension, called “Aquavit”, half of which is indoors under a veranda, and the rest outdoors, the operation of which depends on the weather and the season.

A lounge complements the public areas available on board. Drinks such as wine (red or white) or beer are included with lunch and dinner. Water and all kinds of tea and coffee are also available throughout the day. Alcoholic beverages are at an additional cost. A package (€27 per day per person at the time of these cruises) allows you to drink anything on the menu by the glass.

Viking allows passengers to bring their own bottles and consume them on board whenever they like, without corkage fees.

Stateroom

There are several types of cabins, with prices varying according to their amenities. Below waterline, the most basic cabins offer only a limited view of the outside. “French balcony” cabins have a picture window that can be opened. “Balcony” cabins offer a small balcony. “Penthouse” cabins combine a bedroom with a picture window and a small living room with its own balcony. And the two “owner suites,” located at the stern of the ship, are the largest cabins on board.