In March 2023, I had the opportunity to sail onboard the Viking Ingvi doing the ‘Danube Waltz’ itinerary for four nights taking in Passau, Linz, Wachau Valley, Krems for Gottweig Abbey and Vienna.
After landing in Munich, we were greeted by the Viking ground team and directed to our coach which would take us down to Passau. Upon arrival at the ship, we were greeted by the guest services team who made the check-in procedure very easy by showing us to the cabin and assisting with our luggage. The Viking Ingvi is one of many Viking Longships and holds up to 190 passengers.
The ship feels very comforting and homely and the staff were always very attentive and on hand whenever you required any assistance. I had a River-view stateroom on the Main Deck which offered plenty of space, a walk-in shower and even underfloor heating in the bathroom. The stateroom was very comfortable and I would highly recommend this type of stateroom if you are looking for a cabin to just put your head down at night.
Before dinner every evening, the cruise director would hold a port talk in the Lounge where they will explain how the following day will run regarding shore excursions and onboard activities. This was always very handy as you could then plan your day efficiently and leave feeling reassured and excited for the following day.
After the first night onboard ship, we took in a walking tour of Passau in the spring sunshine! The excursion lasted approximately an hour and a half and was very insightful, learning about the 3 rivers that meet in Passau, exploring the cobbled streets and visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Once the walking tour finished, we had free time in the afternoon so decided to stay in Passau and explore this Bavarian town further along with trying a local beer! Later that day we set sail from Passau through the Bavarian countryside and into Austria which for me was a highlight personally as the scenery was picturesque and very relaxing.
The following morning, we awoke in Linz, the home of Mozart. We again took part in a walking tour of Linz, where we explored the main market square, the old town and where Mozart composed some of his iconic music. Near to where the ship was docked is the Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz for those who are fans of art. If art is not your thing, then back onboard the ship there is the Aquavit Terrace towards the front of the ship where you can relax with a coffee or a cold drink or if you prefer something more active, on the sun deck there are activities such as shuffleboard or a putting green where you can compete with fellow guests.
On the third day, we travelled through the Wachau Valley and visited Gottweig Abbey. The Wachau Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and did not disappoint as we sailed through this part of Austria for approximately one hour and thirty minutes. After docking into Krems, we took the short coach journey to Gottweig Abbey which is still a working monastery and offers fantastic views over the Danube River. On our return, we took a stroll through Krems where there were shops and bars aplenty to explore.
On the final day we arrived in Vienna, the capital city of Austria. In the morning we took a part coach/part walking tour of this capitulating city, taking in all the impressive architecture including the Hofburg Palace where Adolf Hitler held a famous speech in 1938. Before heading back to the ship, we did have enough time to stop and try the local delicacy, Sachertorte.
All-in-all, a fantastic five days exploring the Danube River with Viking Cruises and I would highly recommend this itinerary!
