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MS Maribelle: Dining

From: Viking River Cruises review

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ABOVE: Anders Imboden poses with waiter Eduardo Fernandes in MS Maribelle's dining room.

Food is an important part of any cruise--and on a voyage that meanders through the heart of France's leading gastronomic and wine regions, dining takes on even more importance.

We had our first encounter with the MS Maribelle's food after boarding the ship in Chalon-sur-Saône. It was mid-afternoon, and we were pleasantly surprised to find a table with freshly-made baguette sandwiches and drinks in the Lounge. The sandwiches were wonderful, and they helped to give us the energy we needed to wander around the town until dinner.

At 7:30 p.m., we had our first meal in MS Maribelle's restaurant. The ship has open seating, so we grabbed two window chairs at a table for six and were promptly taken under the wing of Eduardo (see photo), a native of Oporto, Portugal who become our waiter for the rest of the cruise. (We could have sat in other areas of the dining room, of course, but--like many guests--we'd found a waiter who took good care of us, so we rewarded good service with loyalty and an extra tip at the end of the cruise.)

Dinner on MS Maribelle is a leisurely four- or five-course meal that usually consists of a salad or appetizer, soup, an entrée, dessert, and--for those who have room--a plate of after-dinner cheeses. On most evenings, guests had two choices for each course, and those who craved for simple food could always order a steak or chicken breast instead of the night's entrées.

Lunch is similar to dinner, but with fewer courses, and guests can choose sandwiches from a buffet if they don't want a hot entrée. Shore excursions return in time for the 12:30 meal hour, and afternoon cruising usually begins as passengers are sitting down to lunch in the large-windowed dining room. 

Breakfast is a generous buffet spread that passengers can enjoy at any time between 7 and 9 a.m. Waiters also take orders for freshly cooked eggs, pancakes, and French toast. (Croissants and muffins are served in the lounge at 6 a.m. for early risers.)

Other meals include afternoon tea and a "midnight snack" at 11 p.m. There's no room service, but with the ship being moored in cities or towns for much of the trip, anyone who's hungry for a snack at odd hours can easily step off the ship and find a café or pastry shop.

Executive Chef Ingo Wegner and his staff produced a succession of topnotch meals during our cruise, using fresh ingredients from local markets. (I was especially impressed by the soups and pastries, which were superb.)

Florian Brajkovik, the maitre d', ran the service operation with warmth and savoir-faire; and Daniele, our bar waitress, was always quick to supply the table with drinks, ice water, and fresh bread.

Bars and beverages

The MS Maribelle has a bar in the lounge, where you can get all the usual drinks plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic "cocktail of the day." Drink prices are comparable to what you'd pay in a local bar or café.

Hot coffee and tea are available at no cost throughout the day.

2014 update: Viking's fares now include house wines, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. (Hot or iced tea and coffee are also included.) Premium wines and beers are available, or you can buy wines locally and enjoy them at meals without paying a corkage fee.

Next page: Shore excursions


MS Maribelle
Introduction Dining
M/S Maribelle Shore excursions
Staterooms Service
Audience and ambience Overall value

Saône-Rhône River Cruise: Ports and Excursions

Chalon-sur-Saône Vivarais Railroad
Beaune Viviers
Macon Avignon
Lyon Les Baux de Provence
Vienne Arles
Tournon sur Rhône Pont du Gard

Day-by-day cruise photo gallery:

MS Maribelle photos (169 day-by-day images)