I spent years researching how we could visit the Baltic taking a cruise. Viking came out the winner and we were not disapointed. Nelson looked after our well designed cabin so well and always welcomed us with a cheery smile. She was a lovely looking boat and you rarely felt crowded. The musicians were excellent and set a soothing tone. The feeding choices were varied if a little bland and the silver wine package could have had better wine choices.

Some of the guides were rather patronising treating us like children when we are most definitely grown ups and some of the linkages when travelling failed. We did have some excellent local guides who gave us a real flavour of their countries. The ballet in St Petersburg was embarassment and we would all have paid a lot more to see a company that were of an acceptable standard.

It was really sad that nearly all of the lectures were at times we could not go as we are European and eat later than our American friends. We really enjoyed dancing under the stars but were packed off to bed way too early.