The availability fit our personal schedule. Travel to meet the ship was comfortable and no problem. Viking arranged our airline connections, then met us at the embarkation city and took us by bus the relatively short distance to the ship. They even handled our luggage from the bus to our cabin. We very much enjoyed the open seating arrangement at meals that meant we could meet many different people. My wife and I are in our early 70s, and it was easy to meet so many others who were approximately our age. We especially liked the range of people on the trip, from vacationers to retirees. The walking tours were excellent and informative. The guides were all top-notch and had wonderful senses of humor. The preview of next day's activities each evening was very informative and well thought out. Overall, the ship was very comfortable and the crew was excellent. Our cabin was comfortable and quiet, and the housekeeping staff very courteous and thorough.