carolb2087

Hello jagger16,

We transferred in Nuremberg. We were transferred by bus to Passau where we boarded our new ship the Bestla. The following day included busing back to Regensburg to include the originally scheduled excursion then back to Passau in the evening. Along the bus route you could get glimpses of the river and indeed there were points with large sandbars present where you could literally walk across the river. Viking did such a wonderful job Keeping all passengers happy. I did not even hear a hint of discontent. We sailed on from Passau to continue our journey as planned.

I just reread my reply above and my have miscommunicated one thing. Our program director and concierge (David Parker and Nina Van Loon) were amazing. They were both so attentive, fun and very efficient at their jobs! I was exhausted just watching them throughout the day. Not sure how they keep up with all the demands on them and continue to smile and have a good time with everyone. They went above and beyond to make sure everyone was happy and having a wonderful time!!

I also just came home from the Grand European Amsterdam to Budapest cruise. I can not say enough about the excellent service we received. We also had to do a ship swap from the Eistla to the Bestla midway through our cruise. We packed and put our bags out and the rest of the swap was seamless. We had the opportunity to experience the service level on two ships with two different staffs. Other than our program director (David Parker) and our Concierge (Nina Van Loon) they changed ships with us. The service level was impeccable. We were met at the new ship by the entire staff outside waiting to greet us and welcome us aboard. At dinner my usually ginger ale was at the table for dinner without asking for it.. The Eistla crew forwarded all our likes to the new ship and everything went on without missing a beat I give Viking an A++++ for the entire trip. It was the most amazing vacation we have ever experienced and I would highly recommend Viking!!

Hello from Viking Eistla. We will be swapping ships with you tomorrow. While I agree it is not what any of us want to do it will let us continue on with our cruises with the least amount of inconvenience. That being said you are coming over to a fantastic crew. They have spoiled the guest this week and we will find it difficult to leave them behind. Have a fantastic remainder of your trip you are in wonderful hands. As a side note we received information from Viking before we left home that this might be a possibility if we did not get rain. The cruise director continued to keep us informed up until the official announcement was made by the Captain. Then we were updated with an informative hour of all the details to make the swap easy. Well done!!!! Loving our Viking cruise.

We are currently sailing on Viking Eistla and in Bamberg. Tomorrow we will change ships with the Viking Bestal docked in Passau. The low waters are between Regensburg and Passau and impassable. Viking has kept us very informed and a detailed briefing today explained the entire procedure. We will pack and have our bags out by 8:30 am and while we are on our normal planned excursion for the day our luggage will travel ahead of us to Passau and be placed in the same room number cabin as we currently have. The bestla and the Eistla are identical. We will be transferred by viking motor coaches to the Bestla after our excursion. The ride will be approximately 3 hours with a 15 minute bathroom stop half way. We will board the Bestla and our cruise will continue as planned for the next week. Viking has been very organized and we are feeling well cared for. They have taken care of every detail beyond our expectations. The trip so far has been magical and I can not say enough good thing about the staff. Our tour Director (David) who is wonderful and our Concierge ( Nina) also wonderful will transfer with us to the new ship to keep everything running smooth and we have familiar faces with us. Loving the care from Viking!!!

I am live fro Viking Eistla! Having the most incredible adventure. While I agree that casual is accepted as the dress code and I packed according to that. I wish I had packed a few more dressier items. Think nice dinner, or going to church attire. The women always refresh for dinner and change into a nice sundress or slacks and pretty tops with scarves and sweaters. That being said if your more comfortable dressed down no one will frown upon it. There is a mix of both but the dressier outweigh the other. Viking is showing us an absolutely grand time and attending to all of our needs way above my expectation.

Hi Sahara1,

I will take good care of the Eistla for you in case we have to trade ships! Hoping it doesn't come to that but we plan on having a fantastic time no matter what the outcome. We see there is quite a bit of rain in the forecast this coming week and maybe that will help with the low levels. Time will tell. Travel safe.

Thank you janecambridge. Hoping we do not change ships either, but plan on having a wonderful time no matter what comes our way!

We just received a message from Viking regrading the low water levels on the Danube. They are informing us that because of the water levels it is possible we will have a ship change at some point during our crusie. We are sailing on the Eistla from Amsterdam to Budapest July 19th. Just wanted to pass on the others sailing this coming week.

We are cruising with Viking July 17th on Eistla! Amsterdam to Budapest. I have been reading everything I can find about river cruising and we are certainly getting excited. Have taken many Ocean cruises and now looking forward to this new experience!

We were just notified this morning from Viking our documents are on their way for a July 18 th sailing! So I'd say about 30 days out.