Bicycles, Space Ships and Beyond

Having firmly established that yes, Viking River Cruises does a great job, why might you consider a different line?

That's a valid question, one that comes down to what is important to you personally.

For example, do you think you would enjoy riding a bicycle on your own around a quaint village after you had done your morning tour?



Then you might be more inclined to choose AmaWaterways, Uniworld or Avalon Waterways.

Want a larger room than the standard Viking, which tends to be efficient but tight?

You could step up to beyond River View and French Balcony to a Veranda or Suite without leaving the Viking line, or you might want to go to Avalon, AmaWaterways or the "Space-Ships" of Scenic, a more exclusive product demanding higher pricing than Viking.

Someone like me spends as much time in port as possible, but some really appreciate more luxurious accommodations as a primary reason for choosing a particular cruise.



There's also another factor that seems obvious but may not be quite so clear: itinerary.

You have general regions like the Rhine, Danube, Elbe, Moselle, Main Provence, Burgundy, Portugal, Russia, Italy, China, Southeast Asia, Egypt, African safari or even the USA, but within those regions the different cruise lines take different approaches, including ports they choose to complete their tapestry and adding pre- or post-packages designed to appeal to you.

Just as significantly, not all cruises embark at the same time. It frequently comes down to which cruise works best with your overall vacation schedule. The greater your flexibility, the more possibilities that may work.