My husband and I have experienced several ocean cruises and really enjoyed those journeys. However, river cruising is infinitely better. The pace was slower, the time was relaxing, and the choices were plenty. I was especially struck by the beauty of the Rhine River--both the natural wonders and the architectural ones. The excursions were both complex (the size, beauty, and history of the things we saw) and simple (the cities and towns, for the most part, were not over commercialized and getting there was easy). We were definitely buying the river cruising experience rather than material goods. In other words, there wasn't much shopping accomplished but the encounters were incredibly enriching. For the cruise itself, there aren't enough superlatives to describe an incredible experience. The scenery seen from the lounge area and the room balcony was interesting and breathtaking. This time could be enjoyed with a cup of coffee, a bit of a snack, or a glass of wine. We visited with the family members, who accompanied us on this trip, while simultaneously enjoying the pleasant background music and the stunning vistas. The crew was incredible as well. The service was terrific and thoughtful. The direction given was clear and well organized. The menus reflected both the well-known classics and the local cuisines. I especially appreciated the care and attention given to me with my gluten-free diet. If the chef wasn't able to fix something that I desired as gluten free, he made sure that I had a superb alternative. Many times, though, the course I wanted could be prepared gluten free. I felt as if I were missing nothing when comparing my meals to my family's. Overall, the experience was amazing, and we look forward to taking another river cruise in the future.