Russia was the first item on my bucket list and this trip met all my expectations. Meeting Russia and the Russians through local guides, no-line cultural events, and on-board language and cooking lessons gave me the trip of a lifetime. No going from hotel to hotel, no looking for tours, and no restaurant searches is my idea of the ideal vacation. The bonus, a glass of wine or beer for lunch and/or dinner without a bar tab. When Viking says all-inclusive meals, they meant it. Our cabin was small but held all the clothes of two women with large suitcases with ease. Guides were very understanding about the weirdness of aging and nary an eye roll to be seen or impatient scowl to be seen, a huge bonus for us elderly travelers. The only change I am making for 2015 is upgrading my seat on the plane to give me room to wiggle and setting a flight plan without a 5 a.m. departure time.
Nice balcony but never used it except to dry my blouses on the chairs. The view from the deck was better.