The ship was excellent. Spotless from stem to stern. Very quiet. Gourmet dining every night and if you didn't like the choices they also offered steak or chicken! No nickel and diming here. Free beer and wine with the lunch and dinner meals. It's house wine, but very good. Each and every excursion was extremely well planned by our tour guide Joey. All the staff spoke fluent English and made every guest feel as if they were the only people on the ship. If you like the big ocean cruises and want to be a faceless member of the masses, you will not like Viking. It's a casual setting where you get to meet, and see new people without being overwhelmed. No exercise equipment was the only drawback although, there is a walking oval on the top deck which worked out well for me. Two more trips planned for 2015.