This is the first river cruise we have ever experienced - a bit of a risk since it was to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We neither of us liked the prospect of an ocean cruise and thought this might be a good alternative. We set off with no clear expectations.
We need not have worried. Our programme director, Kieran, was excellent. Very funny, knowledgeable and customer oriented. The Viking Beyla is a lovely ship with a truly wonderful, hardworking and dedicated crew, and our excursions were very enjoyable with some first class guides. The ship is small and so, of course, was our stateroom but there was a place for everything and it was very comfortable.
Food on the ship was plentiful and of high quality. The ship is well appointed with many quiet corners if you are in need of some peace. The entire crew was first rate and nothing was too much trouble for them. They worked tirelessly to ensure an excellent experience.
Our stateroom was small unsurprisingly since the Beyla is a small ship. However, it was very comfortably appointed, there was a place for everything and the shower room, again small, was absolutely fit for purpose. The bed was large and comfortable. We never used the TV but it was large flatscreen LG so no doubt of good quality.
We had bottled water on tap (yes, this is a joke), it did come in bottles, and there was a small fridge if you wanted to access that. There were plenty of sockets. We did not have a verandah which is an extra cost and to be frank, we felt it unnecessary. We had floor to ceiling windows one of which opened fully so we could enjoy the scenery and the fresh air. It's all you need.