We've had numerous ocean cruises and two river cruises (Viking) and felt that overall the Viking Star was the best of the large boats for its ambiance, dining choices, comfortable balcony cabins and wonderful indoor seating options, and its size (about 930 pages, but we had about 650). We also enjoyed the included beverages, same as available on the river boats.

The biggest drawback were the shore tours, which weren't up to the excellence we found on the river boats. Some were good, but others, both included and paid for, were a disappointment because of guides and experiences (where we went and what we were able to see). A number of the "professional" guides were difficult to understand, and several of the tours were badly timed so that key locations on the tour, such as key buildings at the Montserrat Abbey, were closed or closing by the time we arrived. By the time the tours returned to the port city, it was usually siesta, so everything was closed.

We were especially disappointed that a rather expensive tour that we signed up for in Rome to see the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel was scheduled to take us to these places knowing that on New Year's Eve they would be closing early by 1 p.m.). We had about two minutes shoehorned through the chapel in enormous crowds. Not what we expected for what we paid. Other tours and destinations, such as Malta, were fantastic. A somewhat pricey classical concert the night we arrived in Malta was worth every penny in the St. John's Co-Cathedral. Port talks were very helpful. Read more