Photo Courtesy of Viking
Cruising along the Danube River on Viking provides passengers with spectacular architectural views of ancient European cities. The ever-changing scenery along the banks of the calm waterways soothes one’s soul. Longships stop at multiple bustling cities and historic villages to enrich and enlighten travelers. Passengers unpack just one time in comfortable staterooms. They enjoy three delicious meals a day and evening entertainment before and after dinner.
In 1997, Torstein Hagen, CEO of Viking Cruises, acquired four ships in Russia and founded the cruise line. What makes his ships distinctive is all of the Viking ships have eyes or faces on them, paying homage to historic Viking longships. Now with a fleet of almost 100 river and ocean ships, travelers can see the world in luxury and comfort.
Viking river cruise ships have a large presence on the Danube. At some ports there are three to four Viking ships docked or cruising on the river to a new destination.
Sailing on a European Viking River cruise ship, Viking Modi is one of the most enjoyable travel experiences for passengers. Named after Modi, the son of Thor, and known for his strength as the most powerful Norse god. This ship was built in 2015 and stretches 443 feet in length to accommodate up to 190 guests and a crew of 53.
Regensburg, Germany. Photo Jill Weinlein
Viking offers at least one complimentary excursion per day, per port. Passengers are arranged into groups of 25 people to take in the sights on these excursions. A radio box on a lanyard attached to an earpiece allows each guest to follow along to the local guide’s storytelling of each city.
Besides at least one complimentary excursion per day in port, other shore excursions are available to guests for an additional fee. In Vienna, guests can attend a Mozart and Strauss musical concert, attend a Heurigen culinary experience at a local vineyard, and go behind the scenes at the Spanish Riding School to see the Lipizzaner Stallions.
Some Viking cruises start in the picturesque city of Regensburg, Germany and sails to Budapest, Hungary. The Danube waterway is Europe’s longest river, after the Volga. It’s around 1,775 miles long and flows through ten countries and four Central European capitals.
Regensburg is the oldest city along the Danube and a UNESCO Heritage Site. One of the most architecturally striking landmarks of the city is St. Peter’s Cathedral. It is considered Bavaria’s best Gothic architectural work.
We traveled from Regensburg to Passau, Krems to Vienna and finished in Budapest.
Germany is three times the size of England and slightly smaller than Montana.
Even though there was a chill in the air, we opened our veranda door to allow the cool evening air of Regensburg to waft into our stateroom as we snuggled under soft and puffy comforters. Our cabin 333 was
Arriving in Regensburg we learned that this historical city dates back to the Jurassic Age to today.
On the Viking Modi, Executive Chef Ericson from the Philippines prepares an award-winning menu of local favorites. He has been a chef on cruise ships for 28 years, and happily chats with guests in the morning at the omelet station and in the evening explaining dinner recommendations on the ever changing menu.
The picturesque Regensburg, Germany thankfully escaped major damage during World War II. Some highlights to visit are crossing over the 12th century Old Stone Bridge. Built in 1135 this is a masterpiece of medieval engineering with its 16 arches that river cruise ships can maneuver through.
In 179 AD Romans built a fort from large stones near the museum. The city has an underground with large catacombs. Romans called the people here Barbians, but later this town was filled with noble people and priests. They lived lavishly due to the trade industry along the river. Regensburg wasn’t destroyed with bombs, because there was a large Jewish population living and hiding in the catacombs. Americans knew they were hidden here and didn’t want to bomb. They wanted to protect the Jews. It was also an American soldier base.
The modern museum next to the Danube has an enormous lion with a stein of beer in one paw. This is a symbol of Bavarian life and Oktoberfest. In Medieval times, people couldn’t drink water, so they drank beer. It was healthier and safer for them to drink. This lion was at the welcome hall for Oktoberfest until Covid hit and beer gardens were closed for three years. He was transferred to this museum.
When King Ludwig, the first King of Germany celebrated an anniversary, five local breweries would give him their beer as a gift. Oktoberfest lasts from the last week in September to the first two weeks in October.
In 1246 Emperor Fredrick II granted a free Imperial city to be able to govern itself. A statue of Emperor Frederick with a falcon is in the center of town. He loved to hunt with a falcon. He also created the first public University.
The first floor of wealthy merchants were wood floors. Their private homes and chapels are now hotels and cafes. Regensburg is a colorful city with different colored facades that represent the profession that resided and worked in the buildings. A green doo
Photo courtesy of Viking Cruises
There are two dining areas on the Viking Modi, plus a spacious indoor and outdoor lounge and bar. A favorite spot to enjoy a light breakfast in the morning, and also at lunch after a morning exploring a port is Aquavit Terrace. It’s a smaller and more intimate dining space with walls of glass windows to watch the world sail by.
In the evening Aquavit’s lights dim and it is a smaller dining area for a romantic dinner or quieter dinner with friends onboard.
Sailing Europe’s storied rivers, the award-winning fleet of identical Viking Longships® offers a variety of stateroom categories and true two-room suites with full-size verandas. Onboard amenities include a restaurant, bar and lounge, library and expansive sun deck. The ships feature al fresco dining on the revolutionary indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, elegant Scandinavian design and environmentally considerate features, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines for a remarkably smooth ride.
Europe river voyages range from 8 to 23 days, with itineraries featuring Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle, Elbe, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers.
Viking also offers voyages on Egypt’s Nile River and Southeast Asia’s Mekong River.
