River cruises are truly a good way to see European countries and still be cruising. Visiting a city or town has never been easier as the ship usually docks right in downtown and you simply walk right off the ship to the heart of everything and local sites. River cruises are as much a part of the scenic European rivers as the vineyards and romantic castles that grace the river banks.
Cruise Europe on the Rhine, Danube, Main, Elbe, Moselle and other rivers with Viking River Cruises. Established in 1997 by a Dutch and Swiss Consortium, Viking River Cruises is the world's largest river cruise line, operating a total of 28 ships offering 20 different all inclusive river cruise vacations. In year 2000 Viking acquired KD River Cruises, taking ownership of the company's river vessels and docks throughout Germany.
KD River Cruises of Europe used to offer one-day cruise passes for travel on the Rhine and Moselle rivers. An ideal way to add to a traveler's European experience, KD River Cruises excursion ships sailed in many directions. Pass holders could change ships and take as many as four cruises in a day.
Viking River Cruises offers itineraries on Europe's most scenic waterways, including the Rhine, which flows through Switzerland, France, Germany and Holland; the Moselle and Main rivers; the Main-Danube Canal; the Danube River flowing through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary; the Elbe in eastern Germany and the Czech Republic; the Rhone, Saone and Seine rivers of France, the Volga, Neva and Yenisey rivers of Russia and the Po River in Italy.
Viking River Cruises/KD River Cruises itineraries allow you to explore fascinating destinations up close and in comfort. All-inclusive vacation packages include roundtrip air, river cruising, shore tours with English-speaking guides, deluxe river view cabins and gourmet meals. With capacities of 100 to 250 passengers, Viking vessels are intimate and cozy, not to mention a good value since accommodations, meals, transportation and daily sightseeing tours are included in the price.
The service is excellent. The ships are small enough that the crew really gets to know you and it is reflected in the high level of service everywhere. The food is ample, well prepared and tastes fresh and more like a restaurant than the mass food of the big cruise ships. The deluxe cabins are large; with excellent furnishings and more storage room that seen on almost any ship. The huge picture window allows plenty of light and many of the cabins have opening windows as well.
There is television, a safe, and the usual hotel amenities. The bathroom is large, bright and not at all cramped. The standard cabins on the lower deck are indeed small, but the lower price reflects that.
If ships are not your passion, you can take a barge cruise. Luciole is the largest barge now operating the two 'up-country' routes of Burgundy. A high-level sun deck provides a fine vantage point for the exceptional scenery of the region.
Ship or boat or barge, river cruises show you the best part of your destination.