The itinerary was what we were looking for -- all destinations, no days at sea. We had been very satisfied with our previous Viking Ocean cruise (on the Sky, an identical ship). But Viking has definitely upped their game in the last 2-1/2 years. The service is impeccable, and the food is delicious (even if they could use a little more variety in the vegetables at the World Cafe). Manfredi's is to die for. And the library! I know it's not what one thinks of as a priority on a cruise, but it's nice to know that I don't have to pack books (other than for flights), given the beautifully curated library spread around the ship.

One way I think Viking could improve the experience is to ensure that shore excursions not only match the sites listed in the descriptions, but to offer more interesting included tours. The majority of them were a waste of time, other than transportation to good view spots. Several of the tour guides were either very, very slow, or provided inane commentary. Even one of the paid tours was led by someone who could barely walk 20 yards without huffing and puffing and taking breaks -- and was obsessed with churches and graveyards (not listed in the tour description). There is far too much time wasted on snacks and shopping. I'd rather see wildlife (frequently promised, rarely seen) and gorgeous scenery. Other than beaches, isn't that why one visits the Caribbean?

One difference between this cruise and our previous Viking cruise is that Viking has chosen to reduce the classical musicians from a trio to a duo. That makes a difference in the quality of the music. The pieces were written for quartets or full orchestras. This severe a reduction makes many pieces sound thin.