Choose Viking because of such a good time on river cruises. Had a penthouse veranda because all the cheaper seats were taken. Very nice but the in room bar was lacking stock. No gin after first day then no Dewars a couple days later only vodka and rum which you get every day on shore trips. No smoking lounge to speak of, only a top deck corner with no cover from the weather. Great food but the specialty dining was always booked solid. No room for last minute tables. Included trips were OK but some a little lame. Our fault, should have booked early on line unlike the rivers cruises. Snow room was down first time we tried to use it and steps into sauna were slippery. Still pretty nice but snow room over rated in my view. Staff always very nice. Can't believe you will find better on another line. Impressed enough to book another cruise before this one was over. Am going to try another line to compare but everyone we spoke to says Viking is by far the best. Plan on doing more river and ocean cruises with them. Having to book so far ahead is a bit of a drag because of being sold out but that speaks for it's self I guess. Highly recommended to all you "baby boomers" like us.