Viking does a great job of running the vessel and accommodating the needs and interests of is passengers. Pre- and post-cruise hotel stays are booked in very nice upscale properties. Throughout the city stays, cruise, and shore excursions, Viking is there to help.

Not surprisingly, even a company such as Viking cannot ensure that things off the ship will run smoothly. Some shore excursions - due to the time of year and popularity - were at destinations that were so crowded that they were not enjoyable. And although Viking did an excellent job of meeting us upon arrival in Amsterdam and taking us to the hotel, airport assistance failed miserably at Budapest. The agent was not there to meet us, and chaotic conditions in the check-in area made the experience miserable. Admittedly, this is not under Viking's control, but the absence of an agent left us without guidance on how to best proceed.

We had a balcony cabin which was nice. But in several ports Viking moored two or three vessels alongside each other at the pier, so our view was often into a cabin on an adjacent vessel. Read more