This was our first ocean cruise and my wife was a little anxious about the possibility of getting sea sick. However, sailing the Meditterranean was calm throughout our journey and made for a very enjoyable vacation. Our trip started in Barcelona and we spent two extra days in the city at the beginning of our cruise. I highly recommend a pre or post stay when planning a cruise for several reasons including the long journey from the US to your European destination, the high cost of air fare and the opportunity to really immerse yourself in the local culture. In this case, I really enjoyed the many sights in Barcelona and thought the city was both eclectic and vibrant.

The Viking guide that took us to La Sagria Familia, the amazing church designed by Antonio Gaudi, was excellent and you could easily spend hours in awe viewing the church from the inside and out. We also took an optional trip to the Montserrat Abbey, which is about an hour journey by bus and shuttle train from Barcelona. The abbey sits approximately 4,000 feet above sea level and is built on the side of a mountain. The church, although small compared to other major churches, is beautiful and the home of the Black Madonna. Both the Abbey and the surrounding area is well worth the trip and the additional cost.

Once on board our Viking ship we quickly learned the layout of our new retreat and where, of course, the restaurants were located. Our cabin was located on the fourth level and the accommodations were very comfortable to meet our needs. Generally, on the Viking River Cruises my wife and I spent very little time in our cabin and spent the majority of our day on the planned tours or sightseeing by ourselves. We didn't expect this cruise to be any different. Read more