Eight days on a fully booked cruise with crowded dining and tour buses, I guess it was inevitable that Mr virus would take up residence in the patrons. Frank got to spend the last three days of the cruisea with a sore throat, headache and fatigue. By the end of day 8 of the cruise, it was apparent infection was widespread on the boat with one poor soul taken off on a stretcher. Too many people in a confined space with a very capable virus. There was no effort to minimize contact in the dining area. Fortunately, nurse Leona was able to fend off the virus by being very conscientious. Thiz was in spite of being in a french balcony cabin that consisted of a bed with 18 inches of space on each side and in front of the bed. When docked, the french balcony allows you a view of the other cabin on the adjoining Viking ship.

In general, we found the cruise to be a poor compromise between being catered on a riverboat and experiencing foreign culture. Being on a small ship with almost 200 people which sailed every night with only a day at each port is less than satisfactory. Following a pied piper guide with 30 other people also does not provide the flavor of that city. One day in Vienna is a travesty! We did get a small taste of Vienna, Krems and the Wachau Valley even though the optional wine tour was a poor excuse of a winery. Coming back from the Viking sponsored optional tour of the winery that provides included wines onboard, we were an hour late for dinner. As such, the "special" Austrian dinner was out of several items. Fortunately, some of the items were partially left over on a used table. However, some dinner items were not available. One would think Viking would have accommodated their failure to return clients on time. Although Frank was unable to attend the included tour of Budapest, Leona found it to be a two hour drive by of Budapest in a big bus.

As far as entertainment or activities, I would like to comment on them. However, I failed to see or hear anything of any entertainment or activities of any consequence. There was one guy who played the piano once in awhile.This was our first and last river cruise. Very poor value for the money. Having traveled to 50 countries independently, this was big disappointment and a waste of money and time. If you want an all inclusive, go to an all inclusive resort. If you want to experience a foreign country, go independently. A very poor compromise. Fortunately, we booked four independent days after the cruise on our own in Budapest. That allowed us time to actually see some of the main sights of Budapest.