Our first Viking Cruise, and what was the most memorable to us was the fact that there was no casino, no inch of gold, no constant announcements about tacky sales. What it did have was resident historians who provided lectures as well as informal opportunities to ask additional questions about the ports and their cultural and historical histories. I might also mention that our Cruise Director was a former Metropolitan Opera Mezzo Soprano who delighted us with several inspiring performances.

If I had a single criticism, it would be that while we visited all the proclaimed ports, what was not known at the time of sign up, was the distance from the cities that they mentioned from our port dock. Paris was one of our featured 'stops.'....Paris was a 3.5 hour bus ride from the port each way for a couple of exploration hours. Also at odds with other cruise experiences was that you, upon payment, had to manage in advance the tours you desired. By the time we figured this out, the ones we wanted were already booked to capacity.

We had a Jr. Penthouse Suite and the room and amenities did not disappoint. The dining experiences were always memorable, and the Chef offered cooking classes that I enjoyed very much. Embarkation was smooth and uneventful...the way it should always be. The Public Rooms were tasteful and the ship had a 'quiet' appeal that brought serenity to the sea. The spa experience with an actual 'snow' room was refreshing and should not be missed by any traveler. I would highly recommend Viking as a cruise experience provider.