This cruise itiinerary covered a number of destinations on our "bucket List". We tell our friends that Viking provides a different and unique experience that educates us about each port, It also offered a large number of optional shore excursions. We were impressed that all our excursion tickets were in our cabin when we arrived and the crew and staff were so well organized and helpful. The Viking Sea has more theater entertainment, as well as a pianist, guitarist and classical trio playing in various lounges during the day and evening. Getting on the ship was a challenge.

With Venice being totally fogged in(our plane did an instrument landing), the Viking Sea was diverted to Tristse. Viking stepped up to the plate; the transfer people at the airport had us on buses, stopping halfway for a buffet lunch at a local hotel (of course this included wine and beer) to Triste where they had to disembark the previous cruise passengers (no doubt a logistic nightmare in getting them to the Venice airport). After going thru Italian Customs. we were greeted at the check-in terminal with wine and beer....way to go Viking! Disembarkation in Barcelona went much smoother.

We find that Viking offers one of the most pleasant and enriching cruises experiences. You should be fit enough to walk the tours and cobblestones at the UNESCO sites, just leave the flip-flops at home.