3 Reasons to Book a Post Cruise Package through Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises Post Cruise Budapest, Hungary

I have taken a lot of cruises and have come to the conclusion that a post-cruise add-on is a luxury that most people should consider. Last week my 7-night Viking River Cruises Danube Waltz came to an end but instead of having to say goodbye to Europe and hello to a 16-hour door-to-door journey home, I decided to include an extra night in Hungary’s capital.

1. Extend the cruise glow. Let’s face it, the prospect of abruptly getting off a ship is a jolt to the system. Avid cruisers know that cruise passengers experience excellent service, exceptional meals, and the services of a room steward that cleans up one’s stateroom.  Taking a day to transition from life on the ship helps ease the pain of returning back to reality.
2. No need to think. I booked a post-cruise hotel package with Viking River Cruises. This meant that my transfer from the ship to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport was included in the price. Although I could have saved a little money on the hotel room if I booked on my own, I would not have had the services of Viking River Cruises’  land team to orchestrate my reservation and transportation. I really appreciated that the Viking River Cruises rep was at his desk at 5:30 am when I was leaving the hotel to go to the airport. And at the airport, there were two Viking River Cruises reps helping client’s check in for their flights. In fact, because of the airport rep, I was able to secure a space at the front of the line.
3. More time to explore. With a river cruise, tours are included with the cruise fare. Although this is a great value to cruise passengers, the disadvantage is that there is not enough time to visit all the sights due to limited time in port. With a post cruise stay, passengers have extra time to discover highlights. In fact, if I did not have the extra day in Budapest, Hungary, I would not have been able to visit the Széchenyi Thermal Bath where I enjoyed one of the most amazing massages ever.

Staying at the Hilton Budapest hotel, I was able to catch a look at Viking Skadi from my hotel room.  Choosing to stay at this property (Viking River Cruises’ offered a total of three options) was a good idea. The Hilton Budapest hotel is located in the heart of the Royal Castle District—a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Buda side of the city. I was able to explore top sights located within steps of the property: Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion are must-sees in Budapest for sure.

Photo from my hotel room featuring historic Budapest: our Viking River Cruises longship, the Four Seasons hotel, the Chain Bridge and the Danube River.