In the spring, Viking Cruises launched four ships at the same time on the same river. The vikings joined the fleet to sail through Normandy and central and southern France.
I joined the naming ceremony in Paris and was invited to sail on a four-day minicruise aboard the radgrid to sample some of what passengers can expect when they sail on these newest river ships in France. This trip was about celebrating the four newbuilds that will sail from Amsterdam and be christened on the same day, so it was not a typical sailing.
Travelers who have traveled to Europe before may wonder what distinguishes these new ships from the rest. It was not much. The ships are 33 feet shorter and have less cabins than other vessels. This is a good reason. The port is close to the Eiffel Tower. Viking has an advantage over most other river cruise lines because they dock farther out.
It has taken years for the company to access this much-coveted port due to the fact that Viking knows a thing or two about negotiating a good docking location.
I didn't use the line's new three-night, post-sailing extension in Paris, but I did enjoy walking to and from the ship to explore the French capital at any hour.
There are lots of comfortable seating on the radgrid's deck. The photo is courtesy of Viking.
The seven-night Christmas on the Seine itinerary will visit various Christmas markets that are sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Normandy, Rouen, Vernon and the old town of Le Pecq are notable places to visit on most Seine River sailings.
The onboard French touches make the experience unique. One evening, a well-known cheese shop owner came aboard with a huge spread of rare cheeses for passengers to sample. It was great as a person who loves cheese. A cheese tasting in a restaurant would cost around $100.
Two of my favorite dishes on the onboard menu were beef bourguignon and French onion soup. I snuck up to the cheese tasting to sample the mini-baguettes, which were equally delicious, and the fluffiest croissants and pains Au chocolat, which were equally delicious.
There is a cabin on the viking radgrid The photo is courtesy of Viking.
On my sailing, the tour to Giverny from the port of Vernon took us through the charming old town, where cats purred at us from the top of flower-lined stone walls, and locals biked by with baguettes in their baskets.
One of the excursions on the river includes a vineyard hike. Making it clear which tours involve a lot of walking or strenuous activity is one of the things that Viking does very well. The cruise line's free tours in every port adds tremendous value.
House wines, beer and spirits, soft drinks, and room service are included on the ship. Premium drinks and specialty tours are the only extra things.
Most of the passengers were American and British, with a few other nationalities.
As Viking's customer base starts to skew a bit younger, it is making some changes onboard that appeal to a wider demographic. It's a great way to encourage more travel by multiple generations.
The design of the Scandinavians appeals to everyone. The small library, which is stocked with hand-picked books by a notable bookseller, is one of the things designers thought of.
I remembered why I love river cruising as I sipped a glass of rose from the outdoor deck at the back of the ship. Between destinations or right in the heart of Paris, you're up close to a panorama that's constantly changing. I think it knocked my socks off.
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