Friends who are regular Viking guests recommended this cruise. The experience was first class from beginning to end. The atmosphere was casual and comfortable on board. The food was excellent and service superb. We loved being able to dine with new friends everyday. The cruises are definitely for the able bodied and active. We walked about 7 to 8 miles daily, which was awesome. We appreciated staying active in order to enjoy the excellent food and wine. The local guides were a delight and provided a true insiders perspective on the historical sights. We added on the Loire Valley to the beginning of our trip and enjoyed it immensely. Viking chooses beautiful historical sights to visit. The entertainment was average. One night we were treated to beautiful opera by singers who came on board, it was my favorite.I would recommend a Viking cruise to anyone. We already booked our next one for the Christmas markets 2019.