I have traveled several Viking Cruises with my sister and had the opportunity to go with my husband so he could experience why WE LOVE VIKING!!! Everything from Winston our wonderful Viking Travel Consultant who handles every trip we have been on. From the time you get off the plane they are there to greet and take care of you!!! Which makes the trip start off great (no worries). We love adding the days before the cruise or after if available to get you acclimated to the time and enjoy a city that you might just be getting on the boat and leaving! Viking really makes sure to get the best excursions for the port you are in to make all passengers happy. They also really care that the hotels are close to city centers for extra time exploring on your on if you wish as well as beautiful rooms. Once in the cabin/lounge the staff is there for you the whole time looking after you remembering your name and what you drink after one hour!!!!! It is such an amazing company. It really reflects through the ship with all the chefs and servers...by the end of the cruise it really is sad to leave them!! We are so blessed that in the next 3 months we will be going on two more cruises that happen to be on the same SKY ship. One tip is to book your excursions early on the big ships. We have been on the river cruises which everyone is able to go on. With the big ships there is less availability for some excursions so early is better for sure! It is so nice that after you come back from your excursions the crew is waiting for you to greet and get you ready for the evening shows that everyone can see either before or after their dinner which is a MUST.....they really do a great job and it is something really different every night! When the evening is over you will go back to your room all BEAUTIFULLY CLEAN and enjoy the great programs that viking puts on your TV every night to enjoy from tomorrows trips and wonderful talk and nature shows.