Price & itinerary and our availability to travel with our good friends. Also, have cruised with Viking before and knew of the high standard. This was our 3rd cruise with the same friends and really enjoyed it. The weather was very hot but that is something that Viking cannot control. Crew was very solicitous about offering bottles of water each time we embarked or disembarked the ship. Tour guides tried to keep us in the shade on tours as much as possible.

We enjoyed all the various tours of wineries and wine tastings. Also the visits to chateaux. We loved the surprise lunch at Chateau Siaurac hosted by the ship's chef and entire wait staff.

The crew, down to the last one, were courteous, helpful, professional and friendly. Our cabin steward, Helen, always greeted us with a big smile and always asked if we needed anything. She is a tremendous asset to Viking.