Daily photo reels with a write-up on what I saw each day can be viewed on my Instagram account @marilyrwilon.official.
My husband and I have always said we were not cruise ship people. We don’t enjoy big crowds while on vacation, we love wandering at will and love being in charge of our schedule. We spend less time at tourist sights and more time finding adventure off the beaten path. But organizing trips like that takes time and several months of planning. This year we found ourselves way too busy and it wasn't until mid-August we had time to think about where we would go. By that point neither of us had a lot of energy and there weren't months available to plan something.
We could have skipped a year, but our 40th anniversary was coming in late December and January would see me having a milestone birthday. I really wanted to have a lovely early vacation celebration of both during a quieter tourist time where we could enjoy it more. While being on a big cruise ship still didn't call us, several friends had gone on the more intimate river cruises and really enjoyed them. These boats have under 200 people, a more relaxed atmosphere, and you can walk down a ramp into the small towns they stop at and explore on your own if you like.
Most are booked way in advance, but last minute openings can be found. We were lucky to find a late booking on a Viking river cruise from Lyon to Avignon. We also booked their 3 day extension before in Paris, and a 2 day extension after in Aix-en-Provence. Perfect. Best of all, when we booked our trip they had a fabulous seat sale on flying business class that made it cheaper than Economy Plus. Our flights included lay down seats so you could sleep on the long flight. As I struggle with fainting on planes, this was a huge gift. It made all the difference.
There are things we loved about this cruise and other things that were an adjustment for us. We decided to book a suite with a small seating area, a separate bedroom, and a small balcony we could sit out on. It was a little nippy in November to sit outside, but it was great for a day we cruised in the afternoon to a new port. We just dressed warm. Our room came with a stocked fridge that was replenished daily. If you like time away from the crowd, I highly suggest paying the extra. If you are on this cruise to socialize, then a regular cabin would work.
Each day we were offered the option of a free morning tour that most seemed to go on - a walk about in the local town that covered the history and significant architecture. The guides were very knowledgeable and the one ear transmitters were clear and easy to use - no static. In the afternoon were additional tours you paid for - everything from winery visits, to lavender farms, to stone villages in the hills, to a Roman Aqueduct. We chose 2 of them. Free afternoons we spent with each other exploring and relaxing.
Meals are more limited than on those large ocean cruises as there are way less people, and there are not a lot of options between meals (muffins in the morning and cookies in the afternoon at the coffee machine station). On our trip the range of food was good, there were some exceptional sauces and the desserts were wonderful, but some of the meat was tough. Anyone who had taken other Viking cruises said this was unusual. Perhaps it was because it was their last cruise of the season.
This boat had a few quiet corners for those without seating area in their rooms, but most congregated in the big open room where the bar was located. All shipboard gatherings were held here as well. There were a few afternoon sessions where you could learn about silks, or common French phrases, but mostly it was where they had us gather to hear about the next day's events, and drink. For worry free drinking you had to buy a special priced package, and from the look of the room when I entered, most had done that. It never got out of hand that I saw, just a lot of socializing.
The first three days I found myself looking for the next cruise I could book. Then on day 4 that began to fade. River cruising is a brilliant concept that is perfect for many. We were the only first timers on this one, and most had already booked their next one. Several had over 5 cruises under their belt and there with others more than that. One lady told me she went on 2 per year. Why? It is worry free travel. Every step of the way we were met by a Viking representative - the airport, the hotel, the train station, at the boat - and all of this was included. I never ever had to worry about a single thing.
For the cruise portion, you are in the same bed every night. All meals are provided, so there is no worry about where you will eat or how much it sill cost. Every day has at least one free outing which you can take advantage or ignore. If you want to walk about on your own, you simply walk down a ramp. All they ask is that you scan your Viking ID card when you leave and again when you return so they know everyone is on board before they sail to the next port. Some of the optional paid trips were pretty fabulous and were aimed at a wide variety of interests.
If you choose to book an extension in a city at the start or end (or both like we did) you are more on your own while there. They still provided us transportation from airport to hotel, hotel to train, train to boat, boat to our extension city, and from there back to the airport. Also included is one free tour in each extension city. At each hotel we stayed in during our extensions there was a small office with a Viking rep there for several hours each day. Both our hotels provided free breakfast. There was nothing we had to do for this trip but pack and get ourselves to the local airport at the start, and home from the local airport at the end.
I want to share some of the downsides for us, but first want to be clear this is personal preference. We met many, many people who cruise often and totally love what river cruises offer just as it is. So what was the downside for us? We are used to being totally in charge of our travel and how we spend our days. This was a trial to see if another type of travel that left most of the burden on the organizer would hit the mark for us. Doing guided tours in groups with a head set was something we have never done. The guides were fabulous. We saw places we would have never seen and learned a ton from them, things we never would have learned wandering on our own. Even so, after a few days we began to chaff a bit.
The big get togethers each night before dinner also wore on us - a touch of the Club Med vibe. Those speaking often droned on way past what was needed. As I have a racing mind I have little patience for long-winded no matter how well done. I was not alone. I saw a few fall asleep and others who just started talking in the background. That said, there were some who loved being there sipping cocktails and listening. Again it all depends on what you want. It's important as well to remember the average age can be as high as 70 on these cruises. If you are in your 40's or 50's you will be the age of some of the other passengers kids.
I want to close with a thanks to everyone who we dealt with at Viking. The agent who helped guide me through the booking process was lovely. The reps who met us at the airport, the hotel, the train station and the boat all took amazing care of us. Each and everyone was first rate - knowledgeable, friendly, kind, and always ready to answer questions. The person who cleaned my room on the boat talked with me daily, asking if I needed anything and inquiring how I felt when I had an off day. I managed to have the same waiter every night and he ended up feeling like family. Other staff spoke with me with a smile and were willing to let me show them treasures I have found in tiny shops when I explored on my own. It was the most organized, well thought out travelling we have experienced.
While I am not sure if we will be cruising again, our wanderlust itch needs a less organized type of travel to scratch out itch, it was great to experience it once. We created memories that will last us a lifetime. As to whether it's right for you is something you'll have to decide for yourself. If it is, there are an amazing number of cruises to choose from. If not, the world of travel options available is large. There is truly something for everyone.
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