Arrival/Check-In: We arrived at Basel Airport around 10 a.m. on the day of our cruise departure. Just beyond baggage claim we spotted the Viking greeters and followed what turned into a large group filling two buses, which transferred us to the ship. Our pre-trip information told us rooms would not be available until 3 p.m., so I was delighted when the entire group was informed all rooms were ready. Within minutes of stepping off the bus, we were shown to our Veranda Stateroom A.

Guest Quarters: Located on the top floor of the ship, our room was a nice size. The Viking Baldur was just four months old at the time of our trip, and you could feel it in the freshness of the room. Smartly laid out, it included a large wardrobe with space for hanging clothes, shelves and a safe. Our large hotel-style bed, with storage space beneath for luggage, sat in front of a dresser with a small refrigerator and a 42-inch flat-screen TV. With all of these discrete storage areas, we were quickly unpacked and feeling at home.

Sliding glass doors led to a full veranda with two chairs. Though it was December, we found many occasions to step outside and enjoy a front-row view of the passing scenery. The bathroom, modern in design, featured a shower with a rain-style showerhead and glass doors. The heated floor was a happy surprise just about every time I entered, and the mirror did not fog even after the hottest shower. Viking provides many plush towels and L’Occitane bath products.

Services/Amenities: The lounge, located on the same level as our room, offered ample comfortable seating areas lining the floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. A large bar sat at the front, and a dining area at the back received guests for continental breakfasts and light lunches. An outdoor seating area is available for warmer days as well. The lounge was where we received our daily agenda update and where Viking hosted nightly entertainment. A coffee and snack station, available at all hours, and two computer stations were on this same floor. While free WiFi was available on the ship, at times it was spotty, so the ship’s computers were put to good use.

One floor down was the more formal dining area, with tables of six, eight and 10 set up during specific hours for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While the dining area was quite elegant, passenger attire was rather casual aside from a few celebration dinners.

The sundeck offered guests the chance to take a walk around the walking path or sit outdoors while sailing the Rhine.

Our ship docked daily in a different city along the Rhine. At least one tour was scheduled, and the concierge could arrange additional activities. One of my favorite features of the tours was our Quietvox headsets, enabling us to hear the tour guide while walking at our own pace.

The Experience: The Viking Baldur offered us a luxurious home base for our explorations of the cities along the Rhine. The staff could not have been more attentive or committed to their guests’ experience. By the end, we had made good friends with both guests and crew.

GT CHECKLIST

[checklist]
[item check=yes]Doorman/valet[/item]
[item check=yes]Less than 10 minutes for check-in[/item]
[item]Separate tub and shower[/item]
[item check=yes]Large vanity[/item]
[item check=yes]High-quality towels[/item]
[item check=yes]Powerful, unattached hair dryer[/item]
[item check=yes]High-quality bed linens[/item]
[item check=yes]Large, flat-screen television[/item]
[item check=yes]Large desk with convenient outlets[/item]
[item check=yes]Large, complimentary laptop safe[/item]
[item check=yes]Complimentary in-room WiFi[/item]
[item check=yes]Complimentary bottled water[/item]
[item]Stocked minibar[/item]
[item check=yes]Ample lighting[/item]
[item]In-room coffeemaker[/item]
[item check=yes]Iron and ironing board[/item]
[item check=yes]On-site restaurant[/item]
[item]24-hour room service[/item]
[item]24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center[/item]
[item check=yes]Turn-down service[/item]
[/checklist]