We wanted to see Istanbul and liked the choices of other ports in the itinerary. Viking crew are professional without giving up their welcoming warmth. I like the size and layout of the ship. While we ate at the specialized restaurants, we found the food quality, variety and service to be just as good in The Restaurant and the World Cafe.
We enjoyed Sasha, the pianist, and the violin/piano duo who played several times a day. The music was to our taste. The adorable Kate, the cruise director, was a delight.
One of the best features was the Quiet Vox system that made it easy to hear the shore excursion guides. What a great idea.
The one change I would make on the next cruise would be to book the next level of cabin. This would be to make access to the closet not be a narrow alley by the bed. That is just a personal preference.