Viking Grand European Cruise - Amsterdam to Budapest - August 2023

[@DooWopKing2011]

Wonderfully narrated, informative, detailed video of a Viking river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest!

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks very much for the kind words!!

[@valerieroberts8241]

Love Viking! They treat you very well and no changing hotels every other day.

[@cruisecrazy7066]

Excellent video. Very professional.

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thank you very much!

[@MarinellCarrothers]

Fantastic video - very professional looking. We are taking this cruise next May. Can't wait!

[@42784rgb]

An excellent video from beginning to the end. The drone videos helped make it one of the best Viking river videos I’ve ever seen.

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks so very much - I will have some more drone videos from the Czech Republic and some more of Budapest

[@TheMrmicroman123]

I’m only 11 minutes in, but am greatly impressed. We did the reverse cruise in June and most of my photos and videos are still sitting on my computer. I’m teaching myself (via KZbin) how to turn them and ones from two upcoming Viking cruises into a pictorial story, hopefully similar to yours. Two questions - Did you do your own drone filming, and How much of your trip did you miss being a videographer? In any case, thanks. I’m enjoying our cruise backwards!1

[@travelsmartseniors]

@@TheMrmicroman123 Thanks for the note - I am glad you liked it! I have a drone (DJI Mini 4 Pro), an Insta360 x3 camera and a gimbal for my phone. So I do spend a lot of time filming, but I think it is an advantage as I really concentrate on the subject of the shots. About the only time I miss something is if it is a short stop and I want to find the perfect place and time for the drone - such was the case at Marksburg castle where I didn't have time to go in.

[@TravelWithRickPruitt]

One of my favorite Viking River Cruise -=-= great video, well done thanks for sharing

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks for the comment! Glad you liked it

[@RengifoM]

We did the same tour in May 2023, it was amazing, we had the best time and also did great friends on board, we keep in touch weekly, because we live in different countries. Viking is a great company, crew was amazing with us, we were the only couple from chile and spanish spoken, but everybody did their very best effort to make us feel happy, and that did!!!

[@todds9746]

My wife and I are doing this cruise in June of 2025...Just in reverse. Starting in Budapest and ending in Amsterdam where we added 2 extra days. Looking forward to it.

[@travelsmartseniors]

I really hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Give the rain in Germany and Austria already this year, I hope you won't encounter the high water we experienced! Cheers!

[@pamelawooden6012]

We also did Budapest to Amsterdam. You’re going to love it!

[@judy8731]

I enjoyed your narrative very much. A great video. Thank you 👍

[@marissaromano6813]

Thanks for your video. We’re doing this cruise in July next year. 😊

[@travellingpigs]

Always interesting to see our home country from a different perspective! 👍👍We are looking forward to your detailed videos. Thanks for sharing! 😊😊🐷

[@travelsmartseniors]

There are so many great cities and villages - Bamberg and the Rauchbier is always a favorite - but so is Nürnberg with its rotbier! Appreciate the comments!

[@medievalladybird394]

Thank you for taking us along..

[@pamelawooden6012]

Enjoyed your video! Thank you for sharing. We’ve taken the 15 day cruise but with Emerald Waterways. My favorite view was of Budapest at night. Just beautiful!

[@travelsmartseniors]

I will be posting drone video from a night flight in Budapest a bit later.

[@robinolson6786]

Thank you so much for the wonderful tour! Your voice was very calming and I.Loved it the music, Loved the photography and video also!

[@travelsmartseniors]

You are too kind!! I really appreciate it

[@jimroberts7942]

Excellent video, thanks, Jim

[@travelsmartseniors]

Appreciate it - working on more details for each stop but it is going slowly.

[@MathewLauren]

Wow absolutely loved your video! We are sailing the Rhine next year and are super excited!

[@VennieManhas]

Well done ❤

[@n206ja]

Leaving next week for the reverse course of the Grand European Cruise. After watching your video, we're even more excited to get there!

[@travelsmartseniors]

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!! Thanks for the note.

[@tinplater]

What a beautifully done video! We did this cruise in 2015 and it remains our favorite of four Viking cruises. When in Budapest highly recommend a visit to Gundel Restaurant. Historic with amazing art collection and authentic Hungarian cuisine.

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks very much - we really had a great time - sorry we missed the restaurant - we stayed right next to the opera house and had dinner before the opera right next door at the Callas Restaurant - which was great!

[@maryannvangrevenhof8769]

We also did this same cruise in 2015! We went in May and were on the Bragi longship.

[@elainemclean2957]

Great video, thankyou

[@broccanmacronain457]

nicely done tour review. Thank you for sharing.

[@DarthDaddy-cg6ro]

Thanks.

[@twiceshy3864]

Thank you. We have been on this cruise so seeing your version brings back many great memories. Sadly our long-time cruise companions were hit by a drunk driver in August and she was killed. Now all we have are the memories of our wonderful vacations together. Carpe Diem!

[@travelsmartseniors]

goodness - that is so sad, i am glad that this was able to bring back some fond memories

[@JStevenSanders]

Nicely done. We’re doing the reverse cruise in May/June 2024. This was very helping. We encountered the attack bicycles in Amsterdam several years ago. We didn’t know bicycles had the ultimate right-of-way.

[@RobinDetects]

I love your narration and video. I was wondering how did you create the animated maps? They really helped me to follow your journey.

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks for the note - appreciate the kind words. I do all of my editing on Apple computers using Final Cut Pro. It has plugins that can create animated paths over a static map. Cheers!

[@flyshacker]

What a terrific and lovely video of your trip! We are considering this river cruise, and your video has really added to our excitement. Truly an outstanding job. Just enough detail, great shots, and you kept the story moving. But I have to ask if you brought a drone along for those aerial shots? I didn’t know if they would be allowed. Anyway, we subscribed to your channel, and we look forward to your videos of your other trips. Bon voyage!

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the aerial photos were with a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone. Since this drone is under 250 grams, there aren't quite as many flight restrictions but you should always check the local regulations. The DJI app provides some pre-flight checklists

[@des668]

I am tossing in between Viking and Emerald but I heard Viking is more relaxing for seniors while Emerald is for younger generation with more active excursions e.g. cycling. What do you recommend?

[@travelsmartseniors]

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Emerald, but we felt right at home on the Viking cruise- nearly all were baby-boomers - we made some really great friends. Be sure to change up where you sit for dinner and you will meet some terrific folks!

[@uweshep4578]

On these tours do you have to go with the guided portion or are you able to go out on your own as long as you're back to the boat in time?

[@travelsmartseniors]

There is no obligation to go on the tours. We frequently went out on our own

[@uweshep4578]

@@travelsmartseniors Thank you for responding!

[@valeriebishop561]

Enjoyed the ride along!!! Thank you! Do you find very good deals by booking late or last minute generally?

[@travelsmartseniors]

Actually, I think we got a pretty good deal with airfare and a full drinks package included. Unfortunately, we got the duck cabin (cause all we could see out the window was ducks!)

[@mariastone1615]

Thanks! We are taking this trip in May-June

[@travelsmartseniors]

That's great - if you start in Amsterdam, there still may be a few tulips left in late May

[@johnpeacock7303]

We are doing this cruise in August 2024. I was wondering what to do in Koblinz??? Now it sounds like you get off the boat after dinner, go on one of the excursions and get back on the boat at Marksburg Castle for a daylight cruise down the river. So one way or another you’re in for a buss ride

[@travelsmartseniors]

Hi there, thanks. I did a video of Koblenz and Marksburg - it's here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i16xqpWHadCEqJY There are lots of bus trips - sometimes the boat will leave you off before the destination and you will bus there and sometimes the other way around - both happen in Koblenz

[@munnsjf]

Are you using a drone for the aerial shots? If so, what kind, any issues w using it from Viking? Was it connected to your phone, and how was service. Thanks.

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks very much - that was shot with a DJI Mini 3 Pro. It is under 250g so it bypasses many of the EU restrictions (certainly not all). It was connected to my phone and when I flew it from the ship, I asked the Captain for permission and only when we were docked. (I have links to the equipment in the description).

[@nicolepare1646]

We are doing the longer river cruise Amsterdam to Bucarest with the pre Amsterdam stay for a total of 28 days. We are Viking enthusiasts, multiple cruises and a couple of River cruises so far. We love travelling with Viking - you get what you pay for. If you are looking for an inexpensive party cruise it’s not for you.

[@MissRubyRedsmoke]

Thank you for a lovely video. We are doing this trip April next year. How do you think the walking tours would be for someone with slight limitations?

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks for the kind words! All of the excursions are rated to indicate how strenuous they may be - also there is typically a leisurely group which may work well for you.

[@sdelasab]

Excellent video - we are doing this exact same cruise in 2025!.... May I ask you what kind of drone you use for some footage?

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks very much - that was shot with a DJI Mini 3 Pro. It is under 250g so it bypasses many of the EU restrictions (certainly not all).

[@kellyh800]

We did the Dutch cheese making. Loved it.

[@happypenny2211]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@jcat1977]

Booked for European Sojourn Aug 2025. 21 days!

[@travelsmartseniors]

Enjoy! I will be posting the first video on Vienna later today

[@DeeDee-uc2uq]

We are doing the same tour in May 2024 (except in reverse: Budapest to Amsterdam). We do not speak any of the languages. Do you think that will be a problem for us?

[@travelsmartseniors]

Not at all!! If you are in budapest for a few days before you will be able to communicate but i don’t think as many folks speak english as the other countries but it shouldn’t be a problem

[@DeeDee-uc2uq]

Thanks for the info! We'll be in Budapest for 5 days before the river cruise so that's good to know. I'm working on Hungarian travel phrases but it's been a challenge for me. Italian was way easier. Thank again!@@travelsmartseniors

[@valerieroberts8241]

You should at least learn how to say please and thank you in their language. Enjoy!

[@douglasmckinley-sr1507]

Thank you for the fabulous tour. Two questions. 1) as most cruising is done at night is it worth paying extra for a balcony, or was bottom level OK? 2. How much did you have to pay to Viking that was up and above their published prices.. How much was “inclusive” and how much much was additional? Thanks

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks for the kind words - we got a last minute deal on our cruise through USAA and everything except the optional excursions were included. We didn't mind the 'duck' cabin (where you could see the ducks). We spent very little time in the cabin - only sleeping!

[@medievalladybird394]

A coffee shop is a marihuana dispensary. 😂😂 You can get a coffee I guess. But that's not why you go to a coffee shop. 😊

[@travelsmartseniors]

Yet another reason for visiting Amsterdam! 😀

[@DougMacDonald-w1f]

voice is creepy....video is really boring

[@travelsmartseniors]

Thanks!!!!