The wife and I booked a mid-March Empires of the Mediterranean on Viking Star in September, 2016. We also added the three night Tuscany pre-cruise and the Athens four night post-cruise stays. We wanted a educational small ship experience with time in both Italy and Greece, We encountered uncharacteristic winter weather at the front end of the trip that resulted in 3 port cancellations once on ship. Viking responded by adding the port of Split and 2 sea days (which we really needed after the Tuscany tour). The upside to a March cruise was that, in most cases, we were the only ship in port and the weather cool. I have nothing but praise for the tour guides, staff and crew throughout the trip. From the time we stepped off the plane in Florence until we boarded again in Athens, we were expertly taken care of. In Tuscany, our stay at Villa il Poggiale, hosted by Monica Cozzi, was outstanding. Our tour guide, Roberta, was a gracious individual and really enhanced our tours of Florence, Siena and San Gimignano! We boarded in Venice (do the opera excursion), we found the Viking Star a modern, well appointed and beautiful ship with all members of the crew going out of their way to provide exceptional service. The bartenders at the Viking Bar, Dejan, Destra and Iskra, were especially delightful. We had a deluxe veranda room which was spacious and comfortable. The food was wonderful everywhere and the main dining room equal quality to the specialty restaurants. If you are looking for dazzling shows, casino entertainment, art auctions and amenities for kids, this is not the ship for you. The clientele is mature, the entertainment geared to enrichment and education and the schedule port intensive all of which was exactly what we wanted. We took many of the included tours which were more than adequate if one does a little research. Viking provided a bus shuttle in Dubrovnik and Athens which was a nice touch. Consider adding the drink package; it is inexpensive and well worth it. After debarkation, we were met by George and Barbra, our host and guide, and taken to the Hilton Athens which is a beautiful facility. Three of our four days included tours the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Mycenae, Epidaurus and Delphi: all outstanding. During our free time, we purchased a 5 day metro ticket (9 Euros each and also good for buses) and the inclusive archeological site and museum ticket (15 Euros each) and did Athens on foot. We ate at DioDos in the Plaka at 19 Adrianou Street (across from Angora entrance) three times which had fabulous food and wine. Dimitris, the waiter, was a great ambassador, teaching us Greek and rendering fabulous service. Of course something negative albeit hard to find. Do not let Viking Air book you less than 2 hours for air transfers at Charles De Gaulle Airport regardless. We learned the hard way. I had a hard time getting clarity before the cruise and once on board exactly what tour was included during the transfer from the ship to the hotel in Athens. It is unclear on the web site and cruise guide. In all cases, representatives had to consult 1 to 2 levels above and even then were not really sure. It is the “The full Acropolis Experience” tour and sadly several couples did not seek clarity or did not know and paid for this tour the port day before debarkation. We guessed right on tours but Viking should let people know at least 90 days out what ports will have shuttles and locations as it would help in shore excursion decisions. The shore excursion to the National Museum is too short. My biggest disappointment was the cancellation of the port of Katakolon and not seeing Ancient Olympus. However, it gives us an excuse to book a future Viking cruise to the area.