This cruise was scheduled to depart Bergen, Norway on August 9 but mechanical problems with the ship on the previous voyage delayed and almost curtailed the cruise we were scheduled to take. Two days before the sail date, we received a notice that there were problems and we would "most likely" be able to depart from Copenhagen on August 11. In fairness, we were given the option to cancel our trip with a full refund or continue with a $500 shipboard credit and 30% off another cruise. Knowing Vikings excellent reputation and attention to detail, we took the risk. The effort to accommodate about 600 passengers and arrange excursions in Norway and Denmark on short notice was impressive. We were told that once we reached our French port of Le Havre, all would go as previously planned. However, this is where everything fell apart.

All shore excursions were planned many months in advance so should have been seamlessly executed. First stop - Lisbon, Portugal. Excursion listed as "easy" for passengers was a grueling, hilly and 4 1/2 hours of walking with a 20 minute break. Many passengers chose to return to the ship half way through. When complaints were made, we were told that the excursion was listed as "demanding" on Viking's computers but listed as "easy" on passenger itinerary. And it went on that way for most of the trip. How smart does one have to be to see that 5-7 daily excursions listed to depart 15 minutes apart from the same exit will be a problem? We were told about a third of the passengers cancelled their trip. What would Viking have done with an additional 300 passengers in the same situation? Surprisingly poor planning especially since this part of the plan was in place months before the sail date.

Beyond that, the staff was excellent, couldn't be more attentive. Food was excellent. Rooms well maintained.