Needed to return to this part of the world in order to reminisce and just enjoy! Why not try a new adventure? Where have I been? Within an hour of stepping onto the Lofn, I knew that I would NEVER take an ocean cruise again. The intimacy of the entire experience is definitely a plus. Who cared if we had the cheapest room in the hold? We only slept there...and besides, the room was lovely. We were at water's level...kind of interesting, actually. We could definitely hear the water slosh, but it had that kind of 'muffling out the noise' serenity. About 140 passengers (I think) and 50 staff...I guess that speaks for itself, in regard to service = excellent. It was an experience to be on top during the first passing through the locks. The evening lights and daytime views are only now memories, but they were enjoyed on a daily basis! We received service at the top while viewing! Who would guess the weather would be well--after all, we had heard that the previous week's group experienced rain for the entire trip! It was in the 70s for us all week! There couldn't have been a more beautiful week for us to visit the cities in Switzerland, Germany, France, and Nederland. Heck...the highlight of the shopping venture in Koln was a proposal of marriage from a German known to me for only 4 hours. Nuts? I can't make this up...Needless to say, it was just an afternoon to remember.