Embarking on a Viking River Cruise? Find out the cost breakdown and what's included for a Rhine Getaway
My last river cruise in 2022 was with Emerald Waterways on the river Danube. I had a fantastic time and having missed a year in 2023 I did not want to let 2024 drift by (Excuse the pun) without exploring another European River.
This time my wife Lynn and I have booked a Viking "Rhine Getaway" River Cruise from Basel To Amsterdam. The duration of the cruise is seven nights and the embarkation date is March 21st 2024. I have taken the option to add a post cruise extension in Amsterdam for two nights.
In this blog post I will cover how much our viking river cruise cost and just what was included for the money. After the cruise I will do a follow to cover what we spent whilst away on any excursions, meals and additional items etc.
Hopefully by the end a magic number will drop out which will be useful if you are considering a similar river cruise break and comparing the options for other cruise lines.
Firstly the details and what is included:
Flights
The package includes two return economy flights from Birmingham (BHX) Airport in the UK to Basel, Switzerland with a change at Munich. End to end time is just under three hours.
Transfers to the Cruise Ship from Basel Airport are included in the cruise package.
The Viking Cruise Ship.
We will be cruising on board the Viking Gersemi, otherwise known as the Norse Goddess of Beauty (I already feel at home) and built in 2020 ( I will definately be scrapped before her) . Apart from Lynn and myself there could be up to 188 other passengers occupying 95 staterooms of various types. Talking of staterooms....
The Chard's Stateroom
The Goddess of Beauty is well equipped and offers Explorer Suites, Veranda Suites, Veranda Staterooms, French Balcony Staterooms, and of course Standard Staterooms. The latter being our accommodation for the duration.
The standard stateroom is the least expensive cabin option and as we see no need for a French or any other type of balcony; it fits our requirements perfectly. I wrote about my rationale for cabin choices here
What Is Included On a Viking River Cruise?
Meals and drinks - This includes complimentary wine/beer/soft drinks with dinner.
Free coffee/water etc
Wi-Fi
Gratuities & Tips
Port Taxis
One shore excursion per port (Others can be booked on board ship)
Optional Extras
We have also opted for the Silver Spirits Beverage Package which includes alcoholic drinks up to the value of $18.
A two night stay in the Hotel Okura, Amsterdam. I'd much rather spend my money on this than a balcony!
We have £100 each shipboard credit
The Cruise Itinerary
Date | Description |
Day 1 | Depart UK, Arrive Switzerland, Embark the Viking Gersemi. |
Day 2 | Breisach, Germany |
Day 3 | Strasbourg, France |
Day 4 | Speyer, Germany & Rudesheim. Germany |
Day 5 | Koblenz, Germany |
Day 6 | Kinderdijk, Netherlands |
Day 7 | Amsterdam Hotel |
Day 8 | Amsterdam Hotel |
Day 9 | Depart Netherlands, Arrive UK |
So How Much Did our Viking River Cruise Cost?
Flights
Transfers to cruise ship & Return transfer to airport
Meals and drinks on board ship
Optional beverage package
Shore excursions
Standard cabin
Two night Amsterdam extension
£100 per person on board credit
Grand Total Per Person £2044.00 or $2546 USD
This works out to £227 per person per night. The Amsterdam hotel is a bit of a luxury and inflated the overall cost somewhat as did the drinks package which isn't really necessary if you opt for the complimenary options with meals and buy any extra drinks as required.
In the follow up post to accompany this one, I will complete the exercise by including any incidental costs we picked up along the way.
Bon Voyage.....
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