I was very happy to accept an invitation to cruise the Netherlands on the Viking Europe.  I guess many of us have preconceived idea of what inland cruising is like on a river ship and, let me say, most of us are probably far from the mark when it comes to the new ships in Vikings Cruises fleet.

The Netherlands (or Holland) as many of us persist  in calling the country, is in late April early May, just ablaze with the most wonderful flowers.  It is the time of the spring bulb season and the Kirkenhoff Gardens are a sight not to be missed.  Once every decade there is also another not to be missed event and this was the year for the Floriade that celebrates the Art of Nature. 

The Netherlands are a low country and if it where not for the ingenious dyke and pumping system that has evolved over hundreds of years, the country would virtually all be underwater.

To be able to cruise the canals and rivers of the Netherlands in a vessel as big as the Viking Europe is an adventure in itself.  Almost everywhere the ship sails, you find yourself looking into peoples homes at the second or third floor.  Many of the older towns are picture book pretty and loaded with historical buildings and sights.  I recall standing on a big spot in the pavement of one small town taking in the exquisite construction of the town hall, when my guide mentioned that the spot in the pavement was in fact a remembrance “plaque”, as it was on this spot that the last witch in Holland was burned alive in the 17^th century.

The Viking Europe is one of the newer ships in the Viking Fleet. Viking are on a new building binge having built and launched a series of new ships in very rapid succession, they are due to take delivery of four more of the ships in 2003. 

The new ships are cookie cutter designed, but very practical for this type of cruising.  They are designed to be the maximum size that can pass through the locks and as such are long, low and sleek.  All are maintained in impeccable condition and it was quite a surprise to me to see the crew doing a serious job of painting one side of the ship as we lay alongside. and I do not mean rolling a coat of paint over the rust and salt as one see so often, but a real sanding and brushed finished coat of high gloss white marine paint.

The interior of the ship was immaculate and had a really pleasant feel to it with excellent wood trim and delightful soft fabrics and carpeting which were easy on the eye and nice to live with.  The ship is designed to be a one seating vessel; both the dining room and the lounge can accommodate a full complement of passengers all together.  The lounge is in the front of the ship and has very large observation windows all around for easy viewing whilst underway.  In fact all over the ship there are large windows and the upper deck cabins also have slide open segments which is the nearest thing to a French Balcony I have seen.

The lounge also incorporates the bar which becomes the focal point of the pre-dinner cocktail crowd, service was snappy and the staff, attentive, young, good looking and fun. The lounge also has a small dance floor for the after dinner set that might want to “kick-on” and the music was supplied by a talented and very willing young artist.

The lounge is also the center of activity when the passengers return form their shore excursions and early in the evening when the Cruise Director or one of the local knowledgeable tour guides give a run down on the next days activities.

Adjacent to the Lounge is the lobby where the pursers desk is situated as well as a number of windows displaying items of necessity and some logo wear for the shoppers, adjacent to the lobby is a small mezzanine where one can sit and read or play cards, also the tour desk operates from here should you have any questions about your arrangements.  There is also a small library located between the lounge and the purser’s desk on the right-hand side.

Access to the cabins are from the central atrium, the upper and first floor levels are all double, convertible cabins, generously sized (154 sq. ft) and with excellent and spacious bathrooms.  No baths but sizable showers and nice fittings as well as quality bathing products.  Ones first impression upon entering the stateroom is – how light it is. The huge window some 8 feet or more in length and 4 feet or more high, with half of it able to slid open is a true “picture window” onto the world outside.  Wardrobe space is adequate and there are draws, shelves and a safe as well as a hair dryer, telephone, TV and audio in the room.

The twelve lower deck cabins are by their location smaller and of a different lay out.  They consist of 120sq ft of space, the bathrooms are the same but the bed arrangement consists of a bed that serves as a couch during the day and a Pullman berth that the cabin steward makes up each evening whilst you are dining.

Dining on board is a feature of the day whichever meal you are partaking.  Breakfasts consist of a very full northern European buffet as well as the more traditional American cooked breakfast.  Lunches generally consist of a large, imaginative and well-stocked salad bar, with a soup and main course chosen from the menu and served by the wait staff, as are any items you choose off of the breakfast menu.  Dinner is a full 5 course meal served to order from the menu, creatively decorated and presented by the dining staff who are well trained, attentive, attractive and fun. 

The quality and presentation of the food was always well done albeit somewhat limited in menu choices, however, there is always the choice to have a steak or fish of the day in addition to the menu items. There is limited room service but breakfast in your room watching the scenery go by can be a lot of fun.

Once you have explored and made the ship your home for a few days…now the fun really begins, because… river cruising is not just about the ship, delightful as it and its crew are... It’s about the destinations. 

The ease of traveling all over the Netherlands without once having to check into or out of a hotel, unpack and repack you luggage, fight for a cab or ensure the driver put your bags on the right bus...  all of a sudden, it seems like the ONLY way to travel.

The delight of being tied up against the canal tow path every night in a great little town,  exploring the narrow cobble street and finding one of the great coffee shops the Netherlands are famous for or, for a change of scene, dine at one of the cute little restaurant of your choice on some of the freshest fish and sea food in the world, or sampling some of the many ethnic foods for which the Netherlands is equally famous for.

All the tours, and they are quality shore excursions, are well run by English speaking guides and operated in luxurious coaches, are included in your package and for charters and groups, can be customized to suit any needs, or, an entirely different set of program built to your desires.

The destination is the key to river cruising and your choices are almost endless.  Operate from the safety and security of a Viking River Ship, and explore the delights that Europe has to offer, effortlessly and in style.