We were looking for something a bit different from the normal European rivers and the Elbe looked interesting. On the surface it's a typical Viking river cruise - great food, top flight staff, comfortable up to date ship, excellent shore excursions lead by knowledgable and personable guides. But there was something extra on this ship (beyond the best Cruise Director in the industry and the waiter we want on every future cruise). The smaller version of the Viking longship that is required for the Elbe is somehow more personal, less formal. One way this is evident is the dining room layout. On the Beyla the dining room is the entire fore part of deck 1, so when you come down the stairs you are in the middle of the room. But there's a 'back door'. So it's just as easy to take the back stairs and enter the room just like family would. Beyond the dining room everything on the ship is a bit smaller, more personal. We love the Viking longships (and Ocean ships) but spending a week on a Beyla-class ship made our time just a bit more special.