pontac

I recall a large official building by the waterside with the name Mohacs on it where we had to moor in the afternoon and line up on board to show our passports as we were leaving Hungary. Did you have to do same? This was in 2019 on Viking's Passage to Eastern Europe cruise from Budapest to Bucharest. The Viking people told us that coming back they reached this place after midnight - the time 3am resonates - so everyone had to be got out of bed for it. Which is the reason I didn't want to do Capitals of Eastern Europe starting in Bucharest.....

You've fallen foul again of CC automated censor; next time try jumbling up the 4 letters ,e.g Mazi or *azi or aziN 😉

Mebbe it's different in Germany, but on the dot com website in UK YouTube positively encourages links Select Share and you get Select copy and you can then paste that link https://youtu.be/-Ps9RKuN0BY?si=e3wsNBSWbt3dVpM0

Viking serve dinner between 7 - 9 pm; on board entertainment starts at 9pm Funnily enough I have posted about this in the last couple of days:- This is so because passengers go directly to the dining room after the Programme Manager's port talk and because they want first pick of the tables - and after a hard day's sightseeing - they're hungry. I think 7pm is a late time to dine for many North Americans but for us 1pm and 7pm are the times we dine at home. Later arrivals are served. Latest time we got to the table was 8:30pm, not ideal but forced on us, but we have been later than 7pm. Regarding tables for two on Viking: there are two in the Aquavit Lounge and they tend to go to those who get there early. Whether you get a table to yourself depends on how crowded the boat is, how many people are dining off boat and the time of year. We have been the only couple on a table for six and last year on the Rhone in August table for four were set up on the open prow and since most passengers preferred air-conditioning inside several couple has tables to themselves. Scenic has more tables for two in the main restaurant but they are so close together they don't feel like separate tables

This is so because passengers go directly to the dining room after the Programme Manager's port talk and because they want first pick of the tables - and after a hard day's sightseeing - they're hungry. I think 7pm is a late time to dine for many North Americans but for us1pm and 7pm are the times we dine at home. Later arrivals are served. Latest time we got to the table was 8:30pm, not ideal but forced on us, but we have been alter then 7pm.

it gets worse

I have never taken insect repellent on any of the 14 river cruises I've been on, including the one you are going on. I don't think you'll need to pack one. But if when you get onboard you feel the need there are plenty of towns you'll visit where you can purchase it. There are as many 110 outlets as European 220 outlets. They come in pairs, and since one 220 outlet is used to charge the Quietvox listening devices there's actually more usable 110 outlets. As to how many, a short answer would be 'ample', the longer answer is there are more if you have a suite than in the standard, french balcony and veranda rooms. But I confess I haven't counted them. Only sockets I've used are to charge my laptop, and for a multi USB. Mrs P's laptop is charged by a USB, so are our phones and Kindles. There are USB sockets as well, but my own seems to charge quicker. How many sockets do you need? If you really need to know the exact number, suggest you post on the thread below which is a live report by someone who is currently on board a Viking cruise and ask them to count the 110 sockets. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3005403-live-from-viking-kadlin-eastern-european-capitals-cruise-and-post-extension-to-transylvania-april-28-may-17

Viking too have one CD (the call them Programme Managers), they don't lead tours but use local guides who have the advantage of no only knowing the vicinity but speak the language and as the listening devices are efficient you don't have to cluster around the guide to hear what they are saying but can wander off and still hear. Similar to @Daisi though I'm a Viking fan, we just love how everything is just right for what we like. Casual, but still first class.

I was taken back by the picture used in this CC advertisement

Was it a Viking optional excursion, or did you do it on your own? I'm assuming a Viking organised excursion since they loaned you the bag of essentials.

You've discovered a truth. If someone's happy with their first river cruise then they usually book the same cruise line for future cruises. It's a known quantity and it supplies what they want. And those that post here tend to be passionate about that line. Again, I suggest you decide what you want.

I have taken several cruises on the Danube with Viking but none with the other two you mention ( have also cruised with Scenic). Viking's website lists seven Danube cruises form 8 to 23 days in duration, plus two Christmas cruises. I have no hesitation in recommending Viking. However, you should think about what you want - is it to see a particular place, are drinks an important factor, on-board bikes for loan, entertainments, do you want flights included, how about cost? I normally suggest drawing up a table (or spreadsheet) of the various lines and what they offer and deciding from that what meets your requirements best, but s you are using a travel agent tell them your priorities and ask them which matches your priorities best. Bear in mind most people on this board are from the USA; offerings differ in different markets. Viking has offices in the USA, UK and Australia. Offers differ between the USA and UK and no doubt Australia too. In the UK Tauck prices don't include travel from UK. Viking, Scenic and others do. So check - or ask your TA to- what the price includes. The Danube is very popular and there are many cruise lines with routes on it so competition is fierce.

In Tain? I cannot see a Viking cruise that stops at Tain.

There have been many threads on this forum asking about doing self-tours while on a river cruise, and they have received the same answers as have been posted here. Not impossible but difficult making advance plans as when & where (or indeed whether) the boat moors in a place won't be known before the boat nears the place. You mention Longships. That is the name of the Viking boats. One cruise I can find that calls at Bratislava on the Danube is the Capitals of Eastern Europe. A good cruise; I did it in 2019. Problem is there's only half a day scheduled for Bratislava, not long enough for you to tour the surrounding villages. The other cruise Treasures of the Danube is a better bet as the boat spends 2 days in Vienna, definitely one night, maybe two as there's a optional dinner excursion on the second day. Bratislava is 1 hours drive from Vienna so renting a car on the second day sounds good, but you must check on board what time the boat leaves Vienna. You will get timings the previous day on the news sheet Viking Daily but check again before leaving the boat. It seems the nearest cruising river to Neuschwanstein Castle is the Rhine and Google Maps tells me the nearest river stops are 3.5 hour drives to the castle. It seems to me that the best way is what others have suggested; come early and do the visits in your own time. If you choose for your first cruise Capitals of Eastern Europe starting in Vienna come some days early, if in the other direction stay on after couple of days. After you first cruise experience you'll have a better idea of life on the river.

I don't disagree (how could I argue with a fellow wine lover) that there has been a huge increase of river cruise ships in the 12 years I have been cruising, but I doubt seriously that Viking triple rafts in Tain. It doesn't moor there, nearest stop is a brief time in Tournon where two boats cross (the up-river and down-river) and passengers are taken to and ride on the Tournon steam railway I was on the Mosel as recently as last August and it was very quiet. I don't recall seeing another cruise boat.