We chose this cruise because of inclusion of Oberammergau Passion Play. We traveled with another couple. We spent 3 nights in Amsterdam on our own at the beginning of the trip. We stayed at the Movenpick Hotel, often used by Viking, but was not the Viking Cruise hotel for our particular cruise. The Viking staff at the hotel offered us no assistance, and actually rebuffed us when we asked questions as to where our ship (changed from Alruna to Tialfi, without notification to us) was to disembark. Never have we been treated so rudely by anyone by Viking in person. We walked to the river cruise docks close to the hotel the am of embarkation, and found that this indeed was where we were to disembark. From the moment we arrived at the ship until the end of the tour in Oberammergau, there was nothing but stellar service, and extremely helpful and kind staff. All ports of call on the Rhine were excellent. We did several additional excursions, and the only one we would not recommend would be the Black Forest tour. Too much time on a bus (albeit with excellent scenery) for a relatively short stop in a touristy, but still fun area. Innsbruck and Oberammergau included tours were excellent as well with phenomenal tour directors. Food aboard as well as included meals in hotels were outstanding. After conclusion of the Viking tour, we went on our own by train to Vienna for 3 days, then Munich for two days before flying home. No problem at all with trains in Europe, and no problem managing hotel reservations, our own walking tours, and meals when on our own. Loved every minute of our cruise, and would highly recommend Viking Rhine cruise, and in 8 years, the Viking Cruise with Oberammergau, the latter of which was truly a bucket list item that exceded expectations.