Counting down the days until the Viking Longships Christening 2016, we are taking another look at Viking River Cruises as they add six more Viking Longships to their expanding fleet.  Today we take a look at what it is like to sail one of those vessels which seem to be the perfect tool for the job.

Viking Longships often stop just long enough for passengers to disembark then get on a motorcoach for a short trip to some fabulous place.  After the included tour there would be some free time before rendezvousing with the ship later, at a different place.  Such was the case when we went to Marksburg Castle on Viking’s Grand European Tour a few summers ago.

This was not our first time touring a castle, we did that on Azamara Club Cruises while sailing Azamara Journey, had tea there and wandered the grounds of a working castle in the Orkney Islands.  Significant to our Marksburg Castle visit is that this was the included tour of the day. On other cruise lines, passengers would pay extra for this experience.   This is an undeniable point of value that Viking River Cruises offers as part of the deal and the subject of an upcoming post.

Flying the UNESCO World Heritage site flag, high above Braubach, Germany, the castle was built in the 12^thcentury, with much of the base carved out of the rocky mountainside.  Expanded between the 15^th and 17^thcentury, Wertheim overlooks the narrow streets below.  Marksburg Castle is also the only castle on the Rhine that has never been destroyed. Lived in for over 700 years, Marksburg Castle represents an ever-changing and developing building complex that has been growing into its present shape over the centuries.

On this tour, Viking suggested that only the most physically fit take the tour and for good reason.  Simply getting from the motor coaches to the entrance took a steep hill.  Inside the castle we climbed narrow stairways into kitchen, bedroom, dining and other spaces.

Still, for those who made the trek and were fans of castles, it was well worth the extra effort.   We were rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding area, far below; a German guide who knew the story of the castle well and literally walked us through, room by room; and some insight on a different time in our world’s history.

Part of Viking’s Rhine Getaway itinerary, this video gives an idea of where Marksburg Castle fits in with what we call the Running Viking Narrative, a topic we will explore here as we continue to countdown to the Viking Longships Christening 2016.

Here too is a photo gallery of images collected during our visit to Marksburg Castle

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Stay Tuned As We Continue The Countdown To Viking Longships Christening 2016, a number of ways:

• Chris Cruises– daily countdown posts in addition to the latest in cruise travel information.
• Cruise Addicts- A number of posts about river cruising and Viking River Cruises
• Twitter- Follow @OrlandoChris and #VikingLongships
• Instagram– One photo each day leading up to and during the event
• Facebook Photo Albums a variety of photos including first-look views of the 2016 Viking Longships and Christening
• Google+ posts along the way from the 2016 Viking Longships Christening
• Pinterest- Photo boards for Viking Longships 2016, Amsterdam Revisited, The 2016 Viking Longships Christening, A Day In Schoonhoven, Exploring Rotterdam
• Flickr Photo Collections- all the photos, broken down to the individual events that made up our total Viking experience, uploaded during the event as location bandwidth permits

-Check In On Previous Year Viking Christenings-

select posts from previous christening events

2012- 4 ships launched

• Cruise line to christen four ships in one day
• Viking christens thinking man’s ships at Amsterdam ceremony
• River cruise line staterooms on par, if not better, than the best at sea
• Cruise line introduces suites, on a river ship
• River cruising defined by Viking River Cruises (video)
• Making a Viking River Cruises longship (video)
• Your cruise questions answered: Viking River Cruises 101
• River cruise line staterooms, a look inside the best
• It is all about destination immersion with river cruising

2013- 10 ships launched

• Three Unique Things About A River Cruise
• Viking Names Ten New Longships, In One Day
• Vikings Prepare For Battle, Explore New Realms
• One Viking River Cruise Difference: Travel Documents To Dance About

2014- 18 ships launched

• Viking Longships Christening: We’re Here
• Vikings Prepare To Conquer A New Land
• Avignon, France – Viking Style
• Bordeaux Guide Typical Of Viking Standards
• Bordeaux Wine Tour Curiously Satisfying
• First Look: Viking Ships Custom Built For The Douro River
• Viking Christens Ships, Seals Partnership In Riverside Ceremony
• A River Cruise Photo Gallery That Is Missing The Most Important Part

2015- 12 ships launched

• As The Viking Empire Expands, So Do Choices
• Countdown To Christening: 2015 Viking Longships
• 2015 Viking Longships To Continue Naming Tradition
• 2015 Viking Longship Godmothers An Appropriate, Typically Thoughtful Choice
• The Stage Is Set: The Vikings Of 2015 Are Next
• The Unexpected Star Of Viking River Cruises
• River Cities A Big Part Of Viking Experience
• Favorite Scenes From The 2015 Viking Longships Christening