We just returned from a great Viking "Cities of Light" river cruise on the Viking Sky. We have done ocean cruising before, but this was our first river cruise. If you're thinking about a river cruise, remember that it's different in several aspects:

1) It's small-scale. Less than 200 passengers. One restaurant and one seating for meals. No climbing walls, swimming pools, etc. The facilities on the ship are first class, but they're limited compared to a megaship.

2) You'll be cruising with an older crowd. On our cruise there were perhaps two couples under 50 and 3 or 4 teenagers cruising with their grandparents. You will be with seasoned travelers. Everyone we met had cruised before, and most had toured Europe. However, it was the first river cruise for most. Read more