My husband and I were eager to try a cruise but knew that a crowded, large cruise ship was not for us. The Viking river cruise was the perfect solution! We appreciated the concept of the ship as our floating hotel, bringing us to each destination. The Tialfi itself was new at the time of our cruise (on its fifth voyage), sleek, modern and comfortable, really lovely. The ship never felt crowded, it was always immaculate, and the crew members were friendly and attentive.

The food was excellently prepared and tasty, and the dining areas were inviting. I especially enjoyed the breakfasts, with custom-prepared foods, omelet stations and delicious yoghurt made on the ship. Our only complaint was that there were no tables for two in the main dining room, and we would have appreciated that option because we weren't always in the mood to make conversation while dining. (This was remedied after a couple of days when we teamed up with another interesting and fun couple.) Most of the people on our cruise were traveling with friends or relatives, and next time we go we'll be sure to do the same.

The shore excursions were interesting, with a variety of local residents serving as tour guides who were not reluctant to inject their personalities and senses of humor while imparting historical information and social commentary. Read more