We chose it because of good reviews, both from online and personal contacts, and because it suited our needs. We didn't need the bell and whistles that many of the higher priced river cruise lines offer. The decor is wonderful, food great, service impeccable - just luxurious enough for us. And what really made it special was the crew actually seemed to like what they're doing and enjoyed the passengers. Don't know if it's training, or just hiring the right people, or that Viking treats its employees well - but they all seemed to be having fun! Makes a big difference for the passenger experience. We also booked our flights through Viking and they took care of everything...more than I expected! We hadn't traveled internationally for 10 years, so it was great to have our "hands held" for this trip. All and all, we would do another Viking Cruise again in a heartbeat!