Heard great things about VIKING, and wanted to try it out. There was a special, 2 for 1 with free airfare, so we booked it. AMAZING!!! Loved all the ports of call. River was exceptionally low, so we had to change ships 3 times, but it was a VERY pleasant, not stressful move! Food service for breakfast and lunch was wonderful ... Dinner ... Not so much. Although we could send food we didn't care for back, I do not like to waste food, so we rarely sent it back. LOVED the daily to us in the city... Learned so much about each one! The tour guides carried "lollipops" (known as group placards) and communicated through voice box and earpieces, so you always heard what was being said, without having to stay bunched up in a group!

If you are used to cruising on the ocean ... This is an entirely different experience ... You don't feel the boat move AT ALL. There are no casinos, gift shops, evening dance shows. What you will get is nightly music in the lounge, different cultural lectures and/or local talent to preform. Just the 2 of us went, and ended up meeting 8 most wonderful people, whom we have stayed in contact with since. Making plans to do another VIKING Cruise ... This time, perhaps the Mediterranean.....