We chose this cruise because of its itinerary. Unfortunately, before all the trouble that developed in Turkey, Viking made the decision not to go to Turkey. We started in Barcelona and came two days earlier to experience this wonderful city. We were bussed to Tarragona and boarding the ship was made very simple. We had a beautiful cabin, clean and well-appointed. The ship,itself, was extremely well-done. All the dining venues were wonderful. Unfortunately, since our cruise was really two separate ones, the food was repeated in the second half. The entertainment was top-notch. However, it, too, was repeated on the leg down from Venice to Athens. The service was fantastic, from our room steward to all the servers on the ship. They couldn't have been friendlier or nicer to us. Some of the shore excursions were a bit too strenuous, but, on the whole, they were very comprehensive. Our guides were so well-versed in the history and culture of the regions we visited. I would have loved to stop in Istanbul. Maybe another time. It's best to let Viking make the airline reservations. They easily transported us to the airport and had their representatives help us there, as well. As for our total experience, it far exceeded my expectations. Only Paul Gaugin, in the South Pacific, is just a fraction higher than the experience we had on the Viking Sea.