Viking and the volcano

My husband and I took the eight-day “Paris & the Heart of Normandy” cruise with Viking River Cruises (Woodland Hills, CA; 800/304-9616). Excluding air, we paid $5,211 for two plus, for a three-day pretour in Paris, $1,398.

On shore excursions, passengers each had a portable receiver so we could hear the guide wherever we were standing. I have walking limitations, so the earphones made it possible to keep up.

The cruise was supposed to end April 18, 2010, but on our departure date Charles de Gaulle airport was closed due to volcanic ash. Viking took us and other passengers to the airport and rescheduled our flights, then put us back on the boat for another five days of cruising free of charge.

The Program Director, Mieke Bakker, kept us up to date on the ash situation and was available to help with our issues and concerns. On our day to fly home, April 23, they provided a bus to take us to the airport.

We ended up having a wonderful vacation and will definitely cruise with them again.

BERNADINE ABEND
San Antonio, TX