I sailed on the Sept. 6-13 Chateaux, Rivers, and Wine cruise on the Viking Forseti. I cannot say enough positive about this cruise. The customer service attitude of the entire crew is impressive and they seem genuine in their desire to go out of their way to provide an enjoyable experience. While the standard cabins are a bit "cozy" the public areas on the ship are spacious and there is no difficulty in finding a quiet place to hang out, particularly when the weather is as warm and pleasant as it was during my cruise. The food is outstanding and the standard wines accompanying the meals are excellent for all but the pickiest wine drinker. The sommelier chooses wines from the region being visited which pair well with the various menu items.
The included excursions are well organized and the optionals, while pricey, provide good value and some truly unique experiences, such as accompanying the chef to the market while he purchases the food to be prepared on board. The only negative is the size of the groups (usually around 40-45) which makes it difficult to have a real "touch and feel" experience. We were also subjected to some of the most selfish and rude behavior by a small group of fellow cruisers which caused serious problems for the captain and crew. The phrase ugly American was alive and well and was an embarrassment to other Americans. The crew handled the situation with class and professionalism
Well appointed but standard cabins a bit cramped