Viking’s Chateaux, Rivers and Wine cruise was just as it was advertised in the cruise line’s brochures. We also did the pre-trip including Paris and the Loire Valley, where we stayed at the Clarion Hotel Chateau Belmont, an exquisite oasis in the city center of Tours. We enjoyed some day sailing, which was so wonderful because we were able to see things that we wouldn’t normally see, like the quaint fishing huts along the banks of the Garonne. Our bus tour guide, Carmen, was knowledgeable, humorous, and charming. Our program director on the ship, Jorge, was personable, hard-working, and oh-so organized. The cabin staff, kitchen staff, and dining room were amazing, attending to everyone’s needs. All this in the time of COVID-19! Passengers and staff were tested for the virus each day, and everyone wore masks as mandated in France at the time. We all felt safe on the Foresti!