We were able to add three days in Paris before we boarded. There were activities available to us through Viking for those days - very nice! The ship was elegant, uncluttered. The cabin looked small but lived large. There were spaces imaginatively carved out of seemingly no room. The food was very good: breakfast was standard buffet, dinner was delightful. Each wine was chosen for the menu and I was not accustomed to such excellent pairings. The service was prompt and cheerful. The included shore excursions had a lot of medieval half timber buildings, and at least one church (always named Notre Dame, which I didn't know was standard in France). The tour guides were particularly good in the churches. Other than Normandy and the beaches, the churches were our favorite part. My husband and I traveled by ourselves yet never lacked for good company among the other passengers. The one thing I would like to have more of is cruising during daylight hours. We loved sitting on our balcony in the crisp air watching castles, churches, and fall colors.