Vilhelm2

I see that our change of ships on the 23rd was just before the river recovered. Just a case of bad timing. Oh well.

I had no idea the Danube could recover that rapidly. When we drove past the area where the river was too shallow the driver pointed it out and said the ships don't have wheels so that is why you had to change ships. The river at that point was just gravel with narrow channels of less than 20 feet in width running through it. I apologize for my non-researched assertion.

I didn't know you were going with Scenic. After all my complaining I still will have good memories. Often even the unfortunate events turn out to be fun times to recall and have a laugh over. As bad as our trip went it was still like nothing I've ever experienced. Have a great trip Kristelle.

Kristelle, we just got back home yesterday from our Amsterdam to Budapest sailing with Viking. I will say there was much to see and do during our trip but sadly there was much more to wish had been different. As for the water levels, the Rhine was fine until it met the Danube near Regensburg. We had to switch ships just after our Nuremberg tour. We were bussed from Nuremberg to Passau where we spent the night and then we were bussed back to Regensburg to take our scheduled tour. Then we were bussed back to the ship to continue on our trip. The trip turned decidedly worse when we boarded the Baldur. The attitude of the crew was several notches below what we had experienced on the Magni, The food was worse as well. Unfortunately I have learned since returning, after reading some reviews, that Viking has been fully aware of the need to trade ships long before our trip even started. As it turns out the prior three ships heading for Budapest had to be switched due to low river levels at Regensberg. Viking said that it was "possible" that we may have to switch ships a couple days before it happened. Viewing the river at Regensberg it would be hard to float a rowboat through there. I know your trip is in September so hopefully there will be sufficient rainfall to change the situation but don't be surprised if it happens. Enough of the good stuff. Immediately following our boarding on the Baldur people started coming down with diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and all the other symptoms of the Norovirus or a gastrointestinal virus of some kind. I estimate at least 70% of the passengers had the illness over the rest of the trip. The shipboard management didn't even mention the virus until after the third day when it was impossible not to notice and enough complaints were heard. The whole thing was terribly mishandled and all in the name of saving money for Viking. They should have cancelled the trip at that point but decided to go into full Covid mode with masks, changes in food handling, hand washing etc. The illnesses continued despite these efforts. We made it to Budapest and despite another one of their drawn out and dull tours we managed to see a bit of this beautiful city. The next day we were off on our return to Seattle. The first leg of our return went as planned after having to report to the eating area at 2:30am for stale muffins and coffee and to bus to the airport. After arriving in Paris we learned that the seats we had been promised had been changed and we were separated by several rows for our 9 hour flight to Seattle. Our friends we travelled with had no seats at all and were told they had to fly standby!! Fortunately they were able to get seats but also well apart from each other. There is another thing I will pass along and that is the fact that between Amsterdam and Regensberg there are over 60 locks you will be going through. The locks are annoying in that you are jostled around and basically at a standstill for a half an hour plus and surrounded by concrete walls close enough to touch from your balcony seats. The last negative thing I will tell you is that five days of your trip will be made without use of the upper sundeck. They have to lower all the seats, umbrellas, and the control cabin to allow the ship to clear the bridges. During this time your only option to get some sunshine is to go to the lounge area and fight for seats or sit on your balcony if it's on the sunny side of the ship. If the ship is docked and you have a boat tied up next to you it will be very difficult to find a place to enjoy the sun and the scenery. I am sorry to be so negative but Viking is out to make money and it's obvious that money means more to them than your comfort and enjoyment. There are a lot of good things of course. The food is good and at times excellent. The cleaning crews are just wonderful and hard working people. The ships are clean and for the most part you can ask for anything within reason and they will happily get it for you. The views from the ship at times are just jaw dropping and the 24 hour coffee machines offer very good coffee and pastries as long as you aren't on a virus watch. Kristelle, I don't want to discourage you but this is an honest description of our trip. By September all could be changed for the better and you will have a thoroughly enjoyable time. Thanks for putting up with this long-winded post.

Kristelle, we will be with the Viking tours aboard the Viking Magni. It looks like the river levels will be holding up for us. Hopefully you will be just as fortunate. I will post any comments I think might be interesting or informative.

We will be leaving Amsterdam on our way to Budapest Saturday. I want to thank many of you for the informative posts. You have helped us with a better understanding of what we are about to experience. I would especially like to thank Notamermaid for her insights. This is a great forum and I plan to enjoy it long after our trip is over.