We chose this itinerary (Barcelona to Rome) for proximity to land and ports with no "cruise days" but ran into a strong northeaster out of Barcelona. Unfortunately the stay in Barcelona was shortened by the storm. And how can an included excursion in Barcelona not have some content featuring Gaudi's architecture? Be aware that Florence and Rome were quite a long coach ride from the actual port cities (Livorno and Civitavecchia). While the food was good enough, the service was spotty and impersonal. I twice had my place cleared when I was just returning the the service area for fruit or a desert. The first dinner was a whole lobster that was excellent but sadly because of the northeaster my wife was in the cabin with mal de mer. There was much more yaw and roll than we expected on a Mediterranean cruise. The specialty restaurants were interesting but we thought the service was a little thin. The Spa was very nice and the snow grotto was a hoot. Uber convenient to have a launderette on each deck.

I prefer the intimate environment of a river cruise where we dined with the same people several times and saw them often on excursions. There's a lot to be said for one lounge and one dining room where you get to know the bartenders and waiters well. And the river ports are so close to the cities you can often simply walk into town. Our third Viking cruise is booked for "Tulips and Windmills."