I was asked to be a traveling companion by a good friend. I agreed immediately, since a river cruise was already on my bucket list. It turned out to be an absolutely great trip. It was my first river cruise, and I will definitely be a repeat customer. The inclusion of a shore excursion at each stop as part of the package is a great idea. The optional excursions I selected were all great. I was particularly looking forward to the Mozart and Strauss concert in Vienna, and it lived up to my expectations. The included tours were all well done by local guides. They were mostly walking tours, and they always had a group for those of us that moved a bit slower than the others. A nice touch that was appreciated. The dining was excellent, and the service was great. I really liked the smaller ship over a huge ocean going ship. It promoted getting to meet and make new friends among our fellow travelers. It was a very pleasant journey.