My husband and I have thought about doing a river cruise but did not pursue it, even after watching Viking ads on PBS. My sister and brother-in-law, seasoned ocean cruisers, suggested we try this together. Thinking about the expense, we decided, "What the heck, let's do it! We're not getting any younger!" We are so glad we did!

The reduction in air fare and quality of hotel in Paris (where we had the opportunity to explore a little on our own), the excursions along the Mosel/Rhine, the ship (Viking Vidar), the staff, crew and customer service--it was all worth it. Our cabin was on the lower deck but it was just fine: the room, the bed and bathroom were very nice. (I loved the shower!) The ship was beautiful, very clean and pleasant, and the service was EXCELLENT! The staff treated us with care and were all so amenable and friendly. It felt like we were their first priority.

The food was delicious and presented to please the eye as well as the palate. It was as if every meal came from a 5 star restaurant. The head chef was readily available to chat about the menu, food preparation, and beverages--even allowing guests to tour his kitchen! Dining in the Aquavit was a good alternative if we were in the mood for something more casual. Read more