As Dorothy said to Toto, we weren't in Kansas anymore -- meaning we had done three river cruises with Viking but had never embarked on an ocean cruise anywhere. What a way to weigh anchor! The Star is a beauty, an Emerald City afloat. The staff in our floating Oz is superlative. The fine food and beverages keep coming.

The cruise organization -- pre-boarding communication and arrangements, airport transfers, pre-stay in Venice, embarkation and return -- all work handsomely with precision. The ship's ambience is relaxed elegance with large spaces as needed to accommodate passenger crowds comfortably but with plenty of nooks for couples to find getaways for viewing, contemplating, admiring the seascapes.

Entertainment opportunities abound, organized in a daily listing for picking and choosing. We most like on-board talks by experts, and the scholarly presentations are a delight to anticipate. Read more