We chose Viking River Cruise because I had heard wonderful things about them from others where I live in Colorado. I wanted to do the Normandy to Paris cruise because my father was a World War II veteran and I wanted to see Normandy and parts of France including Paris. Furthermore, we took an Alaska Cruise tour last year and wife didn't enjoy being at sea, hence the river cruise.

The Kadlin was wonderful, a new ship and our verandah stateroom (307)was great- I did spend some time on the balcony enjoying a glass of wine and watching the scenery- the observation deck was also great. I went for walks around its circumference and enjoy a beer or glass of wine while watching the countryside go by. The food was wonderful- all three meals each day. We traveled with some old classmates from Virginia and met another two couples that we shared dinners and tours with making the trip more enjoyable. The evening meals were, well, just excellent, and the wines well matched to the meals, the lamb was great and so was the seafood. We enjoyed the classes on cheeses, cooking and tour through the galley. Being an old Navy vet, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the Captain and seeing the pilot house. The service was also very good, our hotel staff was wonderful and we grew to enjoy our wait staff at the evening meals. The bar staff was also very good.

The ports and shore excursions were very good, I would like to have spent more time or seen more of the Normandy beaches but understand the time limitations. The lunch venue was good, lending some local color to the excursion. We really liked our Rouen tour guide ( I wish I remembered her name, but she had studied in Australia, if I remember right). In general, the tour guides were very good and packed with local information and history. The bus tour of Paris was quite good, giving us a taste of Paris which were able to utilize when we spend additional time in Paris. Read more