We originally chose the cruise because I had always wanted to go to St Petersburg. Obviously with the war taking place the itinerary had to be changed. Viking made substitutions and while they weren't as amazing as Catherine the Great, I appreciated their efforts. The staff was exceptional. They were friendly, always looking to make sure you had everything you needed. The entertainment was fabulous. Much better than I had expected. There seems to be a really fun, congenial culture with the crew. They were fun to be around. The ship itself is gorgeous - best ship I have every been on. There were so many beautiful rooms and nooks that you could find to read, work on a project, or just relax. The food was excellent. So many choices. I loved the salad bars, the sushi, the BBQ night, the lobster, the choices! There were plenty of healthy choices which I appreciated.