Our review tells you what the Viking Rhine Getaway Cruise from Basel to Amsterdam is really like. With video and drone footage of the boat, the food and the excursions, you’ll get the picture.
A review of the excursions on this cruise: https://youtu.be/mXcjn_RWDI4
Our trip was sponsored by Viking – we were part of a group of media creators and influencers invited by Viking. I have received no payment from Viking beyond this trip, We paid for our flights and many of the excursions. I have no affiliate relationship with Viking. They did not review this video’s content before posting – more details: https://youtu.be/QwXjC-GUhk4
Behind the scenes notes at http://maartech.com/rhinegetaway
More details on the cruise: https://goo.gl/gW3OSH
Portions of this video were recorded with the
DJI Mavic: https://bhpho.to/2rDhqsd
Olympus OM-D E-M1 mkII: https://bhpho.to/2shqzqL
Panasonic GH5: https://bhpho.to/2qjgF3p
Thanks to Lynne Harty and Ralph Grizzle (http://www.avidcruiser.com) who provided the footage of Ivan.
Ralph’s review: http://www.rivercruiseadvisor.com/2017/06/viking-hlin-video/
Producer and Host: Maarten Heilbron
WEBSITE/BLOG: http://maartech.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/maartenintoronto/
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/mheilbron
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/maartech/
CONTACT: maarten.heilbron@gmail.com
I do read and respond to all comments, which are moderated. If you leave a relevant and civil comment without links (which are filtered by youtube) it will be posted.
For your guidance:
The cameras used were on loan from Olympus Canada, Panasonic Canada and B&H Photo. They were returned after the review.
I have not accepted payment to review any product.
I am compensated for my reviews through Google Adwords.
The B&H links are affiliate links, I do receive a small commission – but please do not allow this to influence your purchase decision.
I also encourage you to visit and support your local photo/video retailer.
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Your voice sounds very familiar, I think from a travel show on PBS. Anyways, good video.
Maarten, I’m planning to make the same trip, would I be able to use my drone as you did? I have the Mavic as well and want to bring it along but didn’t know if I would be allowed to use mine as you seem to have the freedom to use yours.
Any thoughts?
not really sure where to start… as an enthusiastic photographer I love and appreciate the insightful reviews and videos you make, there’s no YouTuber out there with the same fantastic style and detail. I truly enjoyed watching you with your loved one having a wonderful holiday, thanks so much for all of your work! beer in TO is on me!! all the best to you
You sold me, I want to go! Fantastic footage as always.
Great review, Maarten. Since I was on the same cruise, I can say it’s a very accurate representation of the trip. I think this is a great resource for anyone thinking of taking a Viking river cruise. I can’t wait for my next one.
Nicely done and informative. Even prior to getting a dslr, i watched your videos partly to get educated about the products but also to enjoy your no nonsense approach. One thing which is guaranteed: a Maarten Heilbron video is squared away from start to finish.
Your video was a pleasure to watch. I did recognize some some bits of the Rhine banks with it’s vineyards and castles. I did not make the complete trip but a shorter one from Koblenz up river to Niederheimbach. It was great fun and I kept singing: ‘Ooh, zo’n reisje langs de Rijn Rijn Rijn…’ German television had some years ago this series about the river Rhine itself. From it’s sources in Switzerland to the delta Holland is, and finally Rotterdam. It’s interesting to realize what impact such a river has on the lives of the many people living nearby and/or depending on it. And-ehm… de nieuwe haring is er weer! Ze is vet en mollig, naar het schijnt, maar dat zeggen ze ieder jaar 🙂
I took that tour and it was fantastic. One piece of advice on river tours always get the down stream tour not up stream because going down river you have more time on shore . I made the mistake once . Viking is fantastic everything is first class and tour guides are very personal.
Love your drone footage! Spectacular!
I see the commercials for this river cruise line all the time. You did a nice job in your review. I was on the edge of doing this trip but it looks pretty sweat.
We are doing this very cruise the first week of May 2018. Thanks for some wonderful info.
Excellent video! Thank you.
We did Amsterdam to Basel last year and enjoyed it. I recognized all of the places you filmed, I even recognized the woman at the “cheese farm”, where we sat in her living room and sampled cheese. A great trip all around, but my favorite was the city of Cologne.
LOVELY overview. I am convinced I want to go now!
I have often described you as the Rick Steve of camera reviews. Now you are just giving Rick Steve a run for his money.
Have you ever done a video on how you keep your camera sensors clean?
Another great video Maarten.
Your tip was sponsored, but how much does it cost? 🙂
(sorry, didn’t google)
Are the all the drinks included
Great video! You have a unique style and I like that! Came here through Brandon van Son and will subscribe!
Amazing quality and great video, Sir! I love travelling as well, but can’t seem to get great footage like this since I tend to get overwhelmed with the awesome views hahaha!
great video, such wonderful reminder of our trip last October, which we went from Amsterdam to Basel. The extended stays in Amsterdam and Basel truly made this a trip never to be forgotten. We were also on the Hiln.
I always enjoy your reviews on cameras and gear, but this was your best yet. I have seen commercials for this cruise, but you made it real, but yet so artistic.
Thank you so much for posting this review. I needed this bad. Now I want to take this cruise.
Amazing video!
A very high quality video. I am very keen to take a river cruise over the next few years so I appreciate the information.
Well done video and very informative. Others on YouTube could take a lesson from you on how to create a concise, lovely, informative video. Thank-you.
Another great video, always so calm and soothing in your delivery unlike the many others that push the intensity levels, this video made me sit back and relax. I felt as if I was experiencing your trip as if I was actually there. It now makes me want to consider this as a future cruise option for my family. The 4k and drone footage was an impressive visual experience. Well done.
Much liked traveling Amtrak, many times east and west coast, what a way to see the country, and when I’m elderly I want to do it daily. Hence, my experience – elderly will chat ya up, and enjoy sharing their life experience, and want to know more about what you are all about. Many times feeling I was talking to my own Mom or Grandpa. I traveled single and loved dinner time to be seated with strangers, and meeting people from all walks of life. I will not fly again, train, boat or bus. You can meet those who love a great conversation and learn about a life – and watch the world go by slowly. That is life enriching, and kicking back and feeling America at it’s best. Full and exciting its people, and enjoying life at a different pace, in the boat, and train lane.
thank you, it was helpful, we have done 12 cruiseship cruises. I don’t care about beaches, there are way too many kids, too many obese Americans. Time to learn history in Europe.
Love it!
Wow…I didn’t know about this Cruise. I really like it ! –Thanks for sharing ! 🙂
Great review. I suggest Cruisers have a backup plan ready, in case the river cruise line cancels the cruise mid way, and puts everyone ashore, as occurred on my cruise. I didn’t have a plan B. Big mistake!
Absolutely gorgeous video. With what camera did you record the video? I enjoyed the review. I doubt this sort of cruise is my cup of tea.
A story told like a poetry… Beautiful!
WE WERE HERE IN THIS past July.. Loved it
Well done, this should be a show on the Travel channel or the Discovery channel.
You’re Not Only A Great Cameras Reviewer, Also A Great Traveller Adviser. Thank you so much! Great Video. Cheers!
What a great holiday!!
Maarten, We are planning one of these trips soon. Thanks so much for detailing your experience! We love to travel as well!
My wife has been wanting to go on a Viking cruise for years. I’ve never been interested, until I watched this video (while watching some of your other gear reviews) and now I want to go.
Martin Scorsasee goes on the viking 🙂
My wife and I took the same ship, on the same journey in December 2015 for the Christmas markets. The Hlin went into dry dock after our cruise for a retrofit. It looks even better now. Great video..!
I went on a Viking cruise on the Rhine. First class all the way.
Thanks for the memories. Hubby and I LOVED our Rhine getaway so much spring 2015, that we had to book another the next spring from Budapest to Nuremberg. We would have returned the past spring but our youngest was graduating high school and I felt it would be in poor taste to be out of the country. We have remedied the situation and are once again excitedly anticipating a Seine voyage from Paris to Normandy next year.