This was our first time on a Viking Cruise - The Cities of Lights tour that began in Paris and ended in Prague. Paris and Prague were wonderful, hotels very nice, and the visit to both cities was very enjoyable.
The on board experience was great. Very attentive, competent and professional staff, the cabins were comfortable and the restaurant and food excellent. Our complaint is with reference to how the visits to the towns en route are handled. We were under the impression that we could use the ship as our hotel and that once docked it would stay there and we could come and go until it was time to leave for the next port. This is not the case. At most ports the ship departs for the next port after the traveler leaves to visit the sites. After the tour of the town (which can be as long as 4 or 5 hours)you are then transported by bus to the next destination. The bus ride sometimes was as long as 2 hours! Also, when visiting certain sites, several Viking cruise ships would converge at the same attraction (castles, palaces, etc.), thereby causing a crowded and somewhat chaotic atmosphere. When the ship landed at its final destination (Bamberg), we disembarked and headed to Prague. We never realized that this bus trip would last over 8 hours, although it did include a stop in Nuerenberg. The bus ride was too long and too tiring.
We would not do another river cruise with Viking because of the way they handle their port visits.
Very comfortable and clean. Excellent design for comfort and storage.