After months of trying to curate the hundreds of photos we took, I am finally going to write about our cruise.
As you know, a Viking River Cruise was on our bucket list for a very long time. So, we were beyond thrilled when Viking invited us on their Portraits of Southern France cruise in April.
I know Viking tops many of your bucket lists, too, so I’m excited to whet your appetite and encourage you to book your cruise. You will love it.
In honor of Bastille Day on Tuesday, I’m planning to devote next week to our wonderful cruise. (Ha ha! Notice how I procrastinated long enough to make this seem intentional!)
I’m going to start off today, though, with this little video Michael and I made to show you our beautiful stateroom on the Viking Delling.
The Delling is an awesome Longship which features 95 staterooms. We had a veranda stateroom on the Upper Deck, which we loved but, honestly, I can’t imagine there’s a bad room. Unlike on ocean cruise ships, every room faces outside.
I’m going to try to tell you everything you need to know but if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll be happy to answer them.
Meanwhile, without further ado, let me welcome you to the place we were happy to call home for one way-too-short week.
P.S. If you like the video, let me know and I’ll do more. If you don’t, well, remember what your mother always said 🙂
Mykidsguide says
A cruise is one of the things I would love to do someday and yes, Vikings is in my bucket list. I like the video!
Bri says
I love that everyone could have a great view of the scenery because every room faced outward. I would like to go on a cruise, but I have a real bad case of motion sickness.
Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) says
That is my favorite part too. I love a room with a view.
Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) says
It looks so pretty! I would love to go on a cruise like this. Love the video, but I’d have shot it horizontal ;0)
Rebecca Bryant says
My mom has wanted to go on a cruise like forever. I want to send her on one for her birthday next year. This is definitely topping my list right now.
CAROL CASSARA says
We loved our Christmas market cruise last December. And, in fact, we’re taking one to Portugal in May.
aimee fauci says
That’s is where I’ve heard of Viking Cruise–Downton Abbey! It does look like an amazing cruise.
Donna says
I love the video! The ship sounds fabulous and I can’t wait to hear what you did all week. You have me thinking about a cruise for our next vacation..
Edward says
Excellent video. Please keep sending as this may be a close as most of us get to a river cruise!
Madge says
Love the video. I love that you take extra goodies.
Lisha Fink says
Fabulous! We’re planning our Viking Cruise for 2017. If you feel like procrastinating some more, you can post about it again in a year and a half to get me in the mood!
Jennifer says
I’ve always wanted to go on a Viking riverboat cruise. We are cruising this summer and this just gets me more excited than ever!!
Haralee says
The video was great. Yes you should do more. You are so adorable in showing the stash drawer! You showed things people wouldn’t even think or know were special, like the US outlet port and the ice access.
Karen D. Austin says
I’m very happy that you got to sail on this beautiful ship and see the south of France. That sounds like a dream. Thanks for sharing your experience. Lovely!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
Wow you are all set! What a nice ship, sounds comfortable! BTW I liked the video!
Adriana Martin says
what a cool place to visit and so educational indeed traveling educates and opens your mind to the world
Ruth Curran says
Veranda? Heated bathroom floor? Lavendar sachez? Chocolate AND fromage? I am not sure I would ever leave! Love your video!
Bonnie Olson says
I love your video Lois! Hi Michael!! I have been playing with the idea of a Viking River Cruise for some time, so it is nice to know you had a good time. I am scheduled to go to France next year for a painting class, but am feeling luke warm about it lately. This may be a better idea and I could share it with my Mom perhaps.How accessible for someone who has walking issues? How were the tours on that point? Was it a tremendous amount of walking??
Thank you for sharing a bit of your vacation with us!!!
Jeanine says
We like the video! Of course. Looks so pretty. I like videos like these and exploring different places!
Tamara says
What a wonderful experience! I have never been on a cruise before, but after seeing your video I’m thinking that I’ll have to add this to my bucket list! Once the kids are grown and flown and hubby have holiday time to ourselves again…
Jaime says
I want to go on a cruise one day. I can’t believe I’ve never been on one (my husband did before we met.)
Liz Mays says
That room is so nice! I love your secret stash of treats! They really do give you everything you could possibly need.
Cheryl Nicholl says
Are you ever home?
Catherine S says
Great video and the room looks so nice. I have always wanted to go on a river cruise.
Cathy Chester says
That is the biggest room on a cruise line I’ve ever seen! Wow. I’ll take a piece of chevre, get me some wine (!!) and I’ll sit and watch the world go by. Oh, it must be sunny in your room cause you’re wearing your shades.
Thanks for the tour!
Julie @ Girl on the Move says
I love taking cruises and now I want to add this one to my bucket list…looks amazing! Can’t wait to hear more about your trip
Lisa at GrandmasBriefs says
I have never been on a cruise and have nothing to compare this to, but it sure seems awesome to me. I love your posts on cruises and more. Keep ’em coming!
Pam says
What a nice room. This looks like a fun cruise.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This is so neat! I would love for you to continue to make these videos!
Maureen says
Really, are you ever home? I love the video and I love cruises!
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski says
I love river cruises. They are such a great way to see Europe. It’s so easy to get on and off and you get to see places the big ships don’t go to. What a fun trip you must have had.
Sarah Bailey says
Oh wow this sounds amazing and looks lovely – I’ve always been worried about feeling ill on cruses but I would LOVE to do it one day. x
Tough Cookie Mommy says
This is such a great way to feel connected to history. I love that it involves a cruise.
Lorane says
Viking Cruise is one of the most luxurious Cruises in the world! This is definitely a bucket list thing to do and it was well showcased in the Video
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I have seen this cruise advertised on t.v. tonight. I cannot believe how affordable it is
Amber Nelson says
That looks so awesome. It looks like you had a great time!
Ashley @irishred02 says
Wow what a great room. I want to cruise so badly! This video makes me jealous!!
Laura funk says
Oh I want to do a video tour on our next vacation. How cool was that. Thank you for sharing.
Stephanie @CopyKat.com says
I have heard really nice things about these cruises. It looks like your experiences are in complete alignment with everything that I have heard about them.
Carolann says
Wow that surely looks wonderful! Love that vid – do more please! It’s wetting my whistle for wanting to go that’s for sure!
Censie Sawyer says
I hope we can take our kids on a cruise one day. I went when I was a kid too.
Carol Bryant says
I have never been on a cruise but this looks like a lot of fun – the video was a nice added touch.
Pam says
I can’t wait to hear more about it! I have only been on one cruise and that was to Alaska. Loved the video.
Denise Hollander says
I enjoyed your video and would like to see more. I have only been on a cruise to Alaska and absolutely loved it. ! My sister took the cruise to the south of France last year and said it was the best cruise ever!! The people, the food the sights were all wonderful and amazing!! So I am putting that on my bucket list..
Dawn McAlexander says
My husband’s uncle has gone on and on about taking a river cruise. I have been on a regular cruise, but not a river cruise. It looks very beautiful. I might just try one someday.
Stacey says
Loved the video – I have never been on a cruise so the tour was wonderful. Something I learned on my first video shoot for blogging – Hold the phone horizontally – then you will get a full screen and none of the black on the side.
Elizabeth O. says
The room is so nice and the view is amazing. I’ve never been in a cruise, but this is one of the things I would love to do when I retire. Vikings will be in the list.
Rebel Sweetheart says
Looks like you had a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing the video. 🙂
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
What a fun little trip. Wish I had something locally.
Tess says
Videos are so fun! How lucky to get to go on one. I don’t get on many boats but this looks fun!
Candi says
I definitely need a cruise about now. It sounds like it was amazing.
Kirsten says
We have wanted to go on a Viking river cruise forever. It looks like an amazing trip and sounds like you had a great time!
Cathy @ Our Mini Family says
Very cool! I love cruises so much–the last one I took was with NCL, but I’d check these guys out for sure! Thanks for sharing your video tour 🙂
Lexie Lane says
Oh I’m jealous. I always wanted to go on a Viking tour, especially since I’ve seen the commercials on PBS. Very cool!
Barbara Feldman says
Merci, Lois! That was adorable!!
Lois Alter Mark says
Merci, Barbara! You’ll have to make one when you go on your cruise, too!
Mariana says
Wow, what an amazing opportunity! I can’t wait to read more about your Viking cruise adventures next week!
April G says
You did a great job on your video. I’ve never heard about a Viking tour, but you made it sound appealing.
Ann Bacciaglia says
This is a fantastic video. I have always wanted to go on a cruise. I will have to start looking into booking one.
Cathy Sikorski says
Love the video….we are definitely considering a Viking cruise. Can’t wait to see more!Lucky you!
Andi says
Yay, can’t wait to see the posts next week, I have been anxiously waiting! Vive la France!
Bonnie @ Living a Fit and Full Life says
It looks like so much fun! I’d love to do that someday!
Kimba says
I’ve always wanted to try one of the Viking cruises – this just put me over the top to make it so!
Janie Emaus says
Is there any room for you on that bed? We just got some literature in the mail on a Viking cruise. I can’t wait to hear more about your trip.
Debra says
I have always wanted to go on a cruise! This looks so amazing!
Rebecca Swenor says
This looks like an amazing cruise ship indeed and I totally loved the video. It has always been one of my dreams to go on a cruise and this would be the perfect one. Thanks so much for sharing.
eliz frank says
What a wonderful experience for you Lois! It was delightful to watch. I can’t even remember the last time I was on a cruise… I fly everywhere. 🙂 Wonderful post.
debbie z says
Loved the video! And the ICE machine!! I had some trouble hearing you when you weren’t facing Michael directly… not sure if it was the recording or my computer! In any case, keep’m coming! What a treat!!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
I’ve never been on a river cruise before, but that’s such a lovely cabin! Definitely not like the tiny little room we had on the regular cruise ship we went on many years ago. How lucky you were to experience Europe that way!
Manu Kalia says
The video makes me want to try a cruise. Perfect for a summer treat!
Aisha Kristine Chong says
A video that again makes me so envious and makes me want to go cruising lol.. lovely!
Life As A Convert says
I want to go on a cruise. Looks like a beautiful room.
A Penny Filled Pantry says
I’ve only been on one cruise but it was fabulous, and you’re right, it is the shortest week ever!!! I can’t wait to go back on another one!
Babita says
I see the ad for Viking Cruise on PBS and was always fascinated by it. I want to go on it one day.
Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru says
You are such a cutie-pie in this video! I’m with you, I could live in that stateroom permanently! I love the little stash drawer with goodies. Not everyone would admit to that, hahaha. Great job, guys!
Paula McInerney says
That is a great size room as well as having the balcony to enjoy the views. Very tempting Viking River Cruises. More videos for sure, we need to do that also
Judy Freedman says
Lois, what a fabulous tour. Love the video and so informational.
Debbie Denny says
Wow love that. This is awesome.
mburbage says
My parents are thinking of doing this! They were telling me how great it looks! Such fun
Esther of Local Adventurer says
the room looks so spacious! We just went on our first cruise together, and we’re so ready to book our next one. 🙂
Fariha N. says
I love your video, it made me wish I was there, lol. I haven’t been on a cruise in a long time! I would really enjoy this and my family would also.
The GypsyNesters says
We have been on several Viking cruises and loved them all. Haven’t been aboard The Delling, but it looks just as nice as the others. It’s a great way to travel.
Carole Terwilliger Meyers says
Your Viking Delling Longship stateroom looks very comfortable. I especially like that American plug and stash of cookies! But I had trouble hearing you, and I think the video would have been better short horizontal.
Irene S. Levine says
Looks like you were blessed with great weather, too! The Viking Longships are SO comfortable!
Kelly @ TastingPage says
I’ve heard wonderful things about Viking cruises, and you just confirmed everything! I’m thinking about taking one with my dad next year and now I think I MUST take one!
jane canapini says
Glad to see other grownups trying out video (I wish I were better at it). It’s always really helpful, especially when trying to show accommodations, or action in a place that photos just can’t capture. (One hint, and please don’t take it as criticism, although I usually do when my husband tells me the same thing – try shooting videos horizontally – it makes them even better!)
Lois Alter Mark says
I appreciate the constructive criticism and will be passing it along to my cameraman 🙂
Andi says
Great job on the video! I have been thinking about a Viking Cruise for awhile, your posts make me want to do it sooner rather than later.
CAROL CASSARA says
This looks very familiar as we have been on two Viking cruises. And a third coming up in May. I love the way the staterooms are cleverly designed for storage. You have some things we haven’t had yet, like ice.
Sue says
We love cruising Lois although we are yet to take a River Cruise. My friend wants to celebrate her 50th taking a French River cruise so this is great information. Thanks!
Cathy Lawdanski says
I love your video! You showed us exactly what we’d be getting. Yes, a Viking Cruise is on the list! Can’t wait for the rest of the series. Frankly, after our Alaskan cruise with 5 billion people on one ship, I would welcome a 95 room ship!
Emma says
I love the video tour so much! It brings it to life, rather than just looking at pictures!
Ave says
I have always wanted to take a river cruise! Your room was so spacious and looks like you enjoyed it a lot! The American plug comes in handy for sure!
NAti says
this looks like the perfect river cruise! I would love to take this trip!
Nina says
A cruise is something I have yet to try. It looks like it would be quite an amazing experience. Something I will have to try one day.