We had heard many good things about Viking Cruises. While this was our first Viking Cruise, it more than exceeded our expectations and will not be our last. We have already booked our next. Everything shipboard was extraordinary. The staff couldn't be more helpful, accommodating, friendly and just easy to be around; the food was excellent, interesting, and beautifully presented; shipboard entertainment while limited was fun and geared to the passengers; the excursions were many and varied (if anything, we may be a little more eager to schedule free time for our own explorations) and the other passengers were just plain great. We made friends that I am sure we will keep in touch with in the future.

While I cannot say enough good things about the shipboard experience the post ship 3 days in Paris generated a bit less positivity. The onsite coordinator was helpful, no complaints there. The hotel, the Rochester, while centrally located was a disappointment from entry into the room. Our room was small, the curtains were hanging off their hooks, and in my opinion didn't qualify as a 4 star hotel. Speaking with other cruise passengers who were also guests indicated that their rooms were lovely, large, and well appointed. So not only were my husband and I disappointed in our room but we felt as if we had been given the short straw in room assignment. I am assuming that we all paid the same after cruise premium which makes the disparity in rooms even more difficult to understand.