Viking has added a new river cruise ship, Viking Nerthus, which will sail on the Seine River offering 8-day itineraries in France. The ship features Scandinavian design and eco-friendly technologies.

As a first time European river cruiser, these are all things you can expect. This complete guide (from a Viking river cruise)will tell you everything you need to know. 1.

For two cruise virgins, Viking's 15-day Grand European Tour — from Budapest to Amsterdam, along the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers — was an eye-opening experience.

River cruises are “more about the experience off the ship than on,” a travel journalist says. Viking and American Cruise Lines operate some in the United States.