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lounge, continental breakfast on the terrace or a full
breakfast cooked to order in the dining room. (There’s
no room service; cabins have small refrigerators, but
they’re not stocked.)
A few cruisers started their days with laps around
the sun deck – but most were happy to log their miles
exploring ashore. Lunch was always available aboard
ship – but unless we were sailing, attendance was
sparse.
Evenings evolved into a comfortable routine: Cock-
tail hour usually began around 5:30 p.m. The cruise
director appeared at 6:45 to outline the next day’s
adventures. Then came dinner – usually including
at least one regional specialty. All meals were good,
often with fresh local produce complemented with
seasonings from the ship’s sundeck herb garden.
After-dinner entertainment ranged from quiz-style
games to special performances by local musicians
and singers. Before heading to staterooms, cruisers
typically gathered on the Vilhjalm’s rooftop deck. It was
the perfect spot for nightcaps and toasts to another
glorious day on the Blue Danube.

IF YOU GO: Viking Danube river cruises start
at about $2,000 per person, based on double
occupancy – with roundtrip air packages starting
at about $600 per person. Learn more at www.
vikingrivercruises.com.

Near Krems, at the eastern
end of Austria’s Wachau
Valley, local families
gathered for a riverside trout
barbecue (top). Aboard ship,
made-to-order omelets were
a breakfast favorite (left).
Ashore, cruisers found local
restaurants offering special-
ties such as roasted rabbit.

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