It is always worth it if one has the money, I would never have that spare cash hanging around. Any extra cash would go towards another trip. The cabins on the lowest deck with the high window is fine. Our shore excursions were included. Viking is more budget in their river ships than their ocean ships. Thx a lot.

When I travel, I like to pick a lower grade room in the best hotel I can afford because the quality of the property and location determines my enjoyment. The same can be said for river cruise cabin. Your enjoyment is derived from the itinerary, food and ship common areas, not the room. While on an ocean cruise I will always want a balcony, on a river cruise I can pass. You have no sea days and you spend very few waking hours in your cabin. With river cruises often rafting up in ports, you might wake up to find your balcony is a foot or two from the neighboring boat. Unless there is an upgrade promotion, I’ll take a standard room on any river cruise especially when compared to a French balcony that offers less space for more money.

Just returned from a Viking River cruise and loved the balcony. We would sit out with a drink and watch the scenery go by at night and also coffee in the morning.

I have been on Emerald Waterways, in a window cabin, and also on Uniworld Boutique in a French Balcony and they are similar in size to yours. All the ships are similar in that regard, unless, like you say, one is in a suite. I am a larger person and had no problem space wise. It is very North American to expect more space. If the cabins were larger, the ship would have less of them so the price would be higher. Thx.

My travel companion and I need to have twin beds. I can't imagine how cramped the standard or French veranda would be then! For our upcoming cruise in March we are very excited to have a suite!

On a port-intensive itinerary, the benefit of a balcony is negligible.

The price for a balcony room is ridiculous. Several thousand dollars for a very tiny balcony is not worth it. We also don’t like when docked , usually so close to another ship , that it feels uncomfortable having others just feet away. We would rather spend the extra money on shore excursions where we can see and do more things.

2 things you didn't say, that would be very useful: you talk about the main deck, and deck 2, etc... then you show the ship with the little portholes at water level, then a deck with big windows above that, and another deck with big windows above that -- so, which of these 3 levels is "main deck", which is "deck 2", etc? You also mention "veranda" vs "French", but you don't say what the difference is, which one is considered better than the other, etc... can you clarify these points? Great video, thx!

Can the beds be split into two separate beds?

Beware the sun deck was closed completely for five days recently because the river was running too high so we were glad to have our balcony

Do you know if there are wheelchair accessible rooms? Because I'm not seeing it here

When we go ashore to explore villages, will we need Euros? Or will the shops and restaurants take AMEX?