1. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Our ship, the Viking Njord moored adjacent to the Chain Bridge in Budapest.

2. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The Viking Njord moored overnight in Budapest.

3. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Waking up in our cabin aboard the Viking Njord, with Buda Castle on the other side of the Danube.

4. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The long hallway leading to the cabins.

5. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The main foyer, with reception on the lower level, the library and computers upstairs.

6. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Pam and Kymberley on the stairway in the main foyer.

7. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The observation lounge on deck3, forward.

8. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The bar in the observation lounge.

9. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The concierge desk, just outside the restaurant on deck 2.

10. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The small boutique onboard Viking Njord, across from reception.

11. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 A view of the main foyer from upstairs.

12. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Just outside the observation lounge on deck 3 (both sides) there is a refreshment center.

13. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 A small lounge on deck 3 in the main foyer. The small library and computers are in back.

14. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Closer view of the library. This was Njords 3 rd sailing, not many books or games available.

15. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Another view of the observation lounge on deck 3, forward.

16. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The Aquavit Terrace, all the way forward on deck 3.

17. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Kymberley and Robert turn out for muster.

18. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Randy reading on the Sun Deck with Budapests Chain Bridge in the background.

19. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Randy on the putting green on the Sun Deck.

20. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 You can also play a large game of chess on the Sun Deck.

21. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Pam listens to a Welcome Aboard speech from our captain.

22. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Ready for a nice dinner with Buda Castle just out the window.

23. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Late night Hungarian Goulash at the bar.

24. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Pam getting ready in the morning in our small bathroom.

25. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The captain at work on the bridge, were ready for our tour.

26. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Pam listens as the captain explains the navigation system of the Viking Njord.

27. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The ship uses radar rather than GPS for primary navigation.

28. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Brand new this season, the Viking Njord begins her 3 rd ever voyage.

29. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Breakfast in the Aquavit Terrace.

30. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Coming into Austria, the beer started to flow on board.

31. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Plamen was Pams favorite waiter, and he was always ready with the beer.

32. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Of course, you cant serve beer without bratwurst!

33. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 It was a nice welcome to Austria, very festive.

34. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The staff of Viking Njord was always in spirit.

35. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Good Bavarian music followed the beer drinking everywhere on board.

36. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Randy & Pam with Robert & Kymberley in the Aquavit Terrace.

37. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 A view over the bow as Viking Njord sails into the Wachau Valley.

38. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Looking out from our French Balcony cabin, portside.

39. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Going under a very low bridge, the wheelhouse has completely retracted behind those chairs facing us.

40. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The Viking Njord leaving Passau, Germany. Well catch up with her at the nearby locks.

41. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Randy & Pam celebrated their 32 nd anniversary aboard the Viking Njord.

42. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Out on deck in the evening, watching the scenery glide by.

43. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Passing Befreiungshalle (The Hall of Liberation) above Kelheim.

44. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Retiring to our cabin, we found they decorated for our anniversary.

45. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 In the morning on the Main-Danube Canal, heading into one of the locks.

46. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Several of the locks on this section of the Main-Danube Canal are about 24.7 meters (81 feet) high.

47. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The beautiful Main-Danube Canal stretches 106 man-made miles.

48. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Breakfast out on the terrace as we pass through the Main-Danube Canal.

49. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 After breakfast, the girls watch as we sink 75 feet to the bottom of this lock.

50. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Its rather amazing to be at the bottom of this concrete lock and then sail out to open water.

51. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The gates open and out we sail!

52. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Leaving the Leerstetten lock, one of the 24.7 meter (81 foot) locks.

53. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Breakfast and lunch are served in the restaurant on deck 2.

54. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Eggs and omelettes any way you want are always available.

55. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Pam and Plamen, never far away from each other!

56. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Fresh carving for lunch in the Aquavit Terrace.

57. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The chef leads us through the galley on tour.

58. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Pam was impressed with our chef, making so much food in such a small area.

59. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 This comprises the entire kitchen for the almost 200 guests on board.

60. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The view from the Aquavit Terrace as we pass through another lock.

61. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 We passed through almost 70 locks on our way from Budapest to Amsterdam.

62. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The Viking Njord, like all the other ships, is built to the maximum size to pass through the locks.

63. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Relaxing as we make our way from the Danube to the Main and then the Rhine river.

64. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Its so quiet and peaceful as we make our way silently along the rivers.

65. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Some of the waiters would entertain us with magic tricks in the dining room.

66. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Its always a good time for Pam to pose with Plamen.

67. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Kymberley and Robert enjoy cruising through the Middle Rhine Valley.

68. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Pam is armed with a guidebook so she doesnt miss any of the sights.

69. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Most of the passengers congregated on the Sun Deck as we motored through the Middle Rhine Valley.

70. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Coming to the narrowest part of the Rhine Valley.

71. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Passing by Lorelei Rock which marks the narrowest spot on the Rhine, just 120 yards wide here.

72. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The underwater rocks and treacherous currents at Lorelei Rock have claimed many ships.

73. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 We made it through and continue to enjoy seeing the adorable German towns lining the Rhine river.

74. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 And theres Plamen, bringing plenty of beer for Pam!

75. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The Viking Njord docked in Koblenz, opposite the imposing Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

76. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 A cable car carries passengers from Koblenz right over the Viking Njord to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

77. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Pam alongside the beautiful and well-designed Viking Njord.

78. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 The Captain and primary crew members gather for a farewell dinner.

79. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Dinner with a constantly changing view is the norm aboard Viking Njord.

80. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Pam shows off her lobster with Ehrenbreitstein Fortress filling the picture window.

81. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Lobster stuffed with crabmeat was the main attraction at the farewell dinner.

82. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Of course, filet mignon was also available.

83. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 Dont forget, you can do like Randy and Robert – order one of everything!

84. Viking Njord Grand European River Cruise 2012 A spectacular dessert to cap off a wonderful farewell dinner.