I chose Viking Mani based on reviews and the itinerary. My mom had never traveled overseas and I felt like this was a good way to see a few countries while being able to relax. We started with the pre-extension in Lucerne and we are so glad we did. Viking greeted us outside of baggage claim and whisked us to the Hotel Schweizerhof. The hotel was amazing and our Viking representative, Alana was like a new best friend. Dinner at the hotel was not to be missed. It was outstanding, and after a long travel day, we did not want to go out.
We did the Pearls of Switzerland the following day, and I would highly suggest this outing. It was a long day but spread out. We were able to see so much. Alana took us on a walking tour of Lucerne the following morning and we were glad we did it as she was so informative. Transfer to the ship was so easy.
We stayed in a Veranda Suite, 3**. Very spacious, with plenty of room for two women to travel together. Fresh flowers, fruit, and champagne greeted us and we had stocked sodas, water, and wine throughout our trip.
Stateroom 3** was an actual 2-room suite. The bedroom housed two twin beds with nightstands between them. Suitcases could be stored under the beds which was nice. The linens were very nice. Bathrobes and slippers were provided. The bathroom had a spacious enough shower. The amenities were lovely and well-stocked. The water pressure is great, although I would have preferred a little hotter water.
The sitting area had a desk and a bar that was stocked daily with fresh fruit, sodas, water, and white and red wines. Fresh flowers were replaced during our cruise. The veranda was lovely to watch the world go by.
I would suggest spending the extra money, as the space provided for a comfortable respite after being with people all day on the tours. We found that in the afternoons, we would sit quietly on the veranda or inside on the couch and just enjoy.