This was our 4th River Cruise with Viking. We find that the itineraries, food, and staff are all superb. It's expensive, but worth it. We enjoy having buffet choices at all meals so we don't feel that we have to overeat. the staff are so wonderful and helpful It was especially interesting to meet local Heidelberg University students and have a chance to speak to them at a local restaurant. We also really appreciate having a local map for each port of call, so we can study it before going into the city or town. We were not surprised that Viking staff were able to handle an emergency in a professional well-thought-of way. The Mimir lost power in a propeller and thruster, so we couldn't leave the port that morning. However, the staff arranged for a day-boat to take us on a cruise up-and-down the Danube, giving us a very fine meal with beverages which Viking Staff was there to serve us, and they gave us a guided "tour" of the river as we passed interesting castles. The shop was finally fixed and we met it in time to continue on the cruise. Bravo! We came back to NY and immediately booked another cruise.