We had done a couple of ocean cruises but was overall disappointed by the experience. Too crowded and limited options if you were not there to gamble or drink. Taking a Viking river cruise has been on my "to do" list for several years now. The Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel was just the right length and offered ideal stopping points for our first river cruising adventure. Embarkation was smooth and well coordinated by Viking staff. Once onboard, the real fun began. Stops were timed perfectly, with the right mix of exploring time and onboard time, with most cruising between stops done at night. The level of service by the Viking Mani crew was superb. The smaller capacity on Viking longships meant that we really got to know some of our fellow travelers. The only less than ideal experience was the trip to the Black Forest, th at was much too short. I am anxiously waiting for my next Viking River cruise.