Planning my Viking Prague to Bucharest cruise

Okay, I am one of those habitual “over-planners”. Normally, we do “ocean” cruises…and I tend to book private tours in each port. Also, we’ll typically add in a pre- and post-cruise stay on either end of the cruise…and I tend to plan those in detail as well. We’ve only done one other prior “river cruise”—Viking in China with the Hong Kong extension…but there was very little for me to plan there—only a free day in Beijing and some free time in Hong Kong. Otherwise, that one was pretty complete.

But, this coming July, we are doing a “Passage to Eastern Europe” river cruise with Viking—including the three night Prague pre-cruise extension. Most of it seems to be included…but there does appear to be a lot of free time plus some optional excursions. My wife saw the optional excursions and wanted to book some, so we did. We don’t have our flights yet as we are still 7 months out. Here is what our itinerary looks like so far—with my thoughts/questions each day:

Sunday, July 15 2018 Prague, Czech Republic

Art Nouveau Palace Hotel

There are no tours this day as I assume this is the day we arrive in Prague, so, depending on the air schedule, we may just be heading straight from the airport to the hotel?

Monday, July 16 2018 Prague, Czech Republic

Morning--Panoramic Prague—Included--5 Hours

Sounds like the tour should end early to mid-afternoon, so, I assume we wander Prague on our own, then find dinner on our own. Any recommendations as to what to do with free time and the evening?

Tuesday, July 17 2018 Prague, Czech Republic

Morning--Jewish Prague--$69 Per Person--3 Hours

Evening--Prague Folklore Dinner--$59 Per Person--4 Hours

The afternoon should be open for more free time in between the tour and dinner. Any recommendations?

Wednesday, July 18 2018 Budapest, Hungary

Hilton Budapest Castle District

I am assuming this is a “travel day”—getting us from Prague to Budapest. Do they take you anywhere on the way…or is it just a straight drive? Dinner on our own in Budapest…any suggestions?

Thursday, July 19 2018 Budapest, Hungary

Morning-- Panoramic Budapest--Included --4 Hours

Again, looks like free time in the afternoon and evening?

Friday, July 20 2018 Budapest, Hungary

Morning--Dohány Street Synagogue & Jewish Budapest--$59 Per Person --3.5 Hours

I think we also board the ship this day…Is it before the tour or after?

Saturday, July 21 2018 Kalocsa, Hungary

Morning--Kalocsa & Puszta—Included--3.5 Hours

Anything to do in the afternoon near where the ship is docked? Or does the ship depart early?

Sunday, July 22 2018 Osijek, Croatia

Morning--Osijek & Vukovar--Included --4.5 Hours

Afternoon--Croatian Countryside & Wine Tasting--$79 Per Person--3.5 Hours

Seems like a pretty full day with the two tours. Anyone know if there is time for lunch between the tours?

Monday, July 23 2018 Belgrade, Serbia

Morning-- Panoramic Belgrade--Included --4 Hours

Afternoon--Kovačica Art Colony--$49 Per Person--3.5 Hours

Another two-tour day like the one before.

Tuesday, July 24 2018 Iron Gate, Serbia

This is basically an “at sea” day, correct? …as in we never get off the ship?

Wednesday, July 25 2018 Vidin, Bulgaria

Morning-- Belogradchik Rocks & Fortress--Included --4 Hours

Anything to do in the afternoon near where the ship is docked? Or does the ship depart early?

Thursday, July 26 2018 Russe, Bulgaria

Morning-Afternoon--Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi—Included--8.5 Hours

Sounds like a full day, no?

Friday, July 27 2018 Bucharest, Romania

Sheraton Bucharest

Morning-Afternoon-- Bucharest & the Village Museum--Included - -7.5 Hours

I assume we disembark in the morning and check into the hotel…How smooth is that transition? Do they basically do everything for you like they did in China—where they take your luggage and bring it right to your hotel room for you while you go on the tour?

Saturday, July 28 2018 Bucharest, Romania

And I assume this is the day we fly home…So, we just kill time until they drive us to the airport for the flight home, right?

Anything else we should know? Thanks…