After seeing advertisements for many years, and talking to people who took the tour, It was something we just had to do. The trip was rewarding in that we saw things we had only heard about. The trip was impressive and should not be missed. Traveling on a river is quite different than sailing in an ocean-going vessel, but it has it's advantages. Baggage handling is very much the same. However, there are no rough seas to be concerned about, and there are frequent port stops featuring diverse local customs and enjoyable diversions. Passengers are given individual attention and relationships are developed with a large portion of the crew. The food is exceptional and the bar is well stocked. It also appears that the cabins are fully and completely cleaned each day. And finally, your fellow passengers are probably the friendliest and most interesting people you could hope to find. They add considerably to the overall enjoyment of the trip. It appears that Viking knows how to do it.