This was our first cruise of any kind, and we weren't sure what to expect. While the cabin was a bit tight we easily adjusted to its size and figured out how to co-exist in it. The common areas were very well appointed and comfortably accommodated all the passengers. We particularly enjoyed being on the aquavit terrace during the open cruising portion of the Rhine. The food was top-notch; there was enough variety to satisfy most every taste. We didn't book the beverage package, and found that the complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner were more than enough. The included tours in each port met our expectations, although the local guides were a hit-or-miss proposition--some were much better than others and it often depended on which group you were assigned to. The highlights for us were the Heidelberg Excursion and the Markburg Castle tour. But what impressed us most was the service-- the entire Viking staff was well-trained, polite and seemed dedicated to making sure each passenger had a great experience. We were so satisfied that we've booked another Viking cruise for the Fall of 2017. BTW, we arrived a day early in Basel and stayed two additional days in Amsterdam following the cruise on our own.