The cruise exceeded expectations despite the problems associated with the river's low levels. The locations visited and the excursions all were excellent. The guides were knowledgable and usually from the area so included stories about the location and their life in the villages. The crew and particularly the cruise director worked hard to make this a fantastic trip and succeeded. Their friendly and helpful attitudes made the trip even that more fun. The room was always quickly serviced and the people working in the dining area made each meal an enjoyable experience. One excellent facet of the river cruise was the small number of both crew members and fellow travelers allowed one to get to know everyone more easily. The live music provided was very good and the extra entertainment was excellent. The three young women providing both classical and popular music were particularly enjoyable. Overall, an excellent and memorable experience.