Viking has an extra measure of success with their proven customer service, staffing and expertise on how to do Europe for active adults. The tours are led by residents who speak excellent English and know the history and highlights of each port. Be prepared to walk and see as much as you want, but be sure and take time to enjoy the ship and crew as they pamper you. The Rinda was an exceptional ship but we didn't get to cruise much during the day, since each day was filled with excursions and activites. Their ratings of the activity levels demanded were spot on, but there is an ability to modify your trip if you have problems with mobility. Note that many ports had the ship moored next to another ship, so window views would not be the greatest for all days, but usually they were an treat for us. Do spend the extra to have a french balcony, the windows on the lower levels didn't offer much lighting. We paln on doing another cruise soon, but will skip the high tourist season in mid summer because of the heat, crowds and general rushed feeling for many of the attractions. If you do a pre-cruise extension, plan on getting online tickets for popular spots, that fact saved us much headaches in the lines for the Saint Chapelle, Louvre, and dining. Many couples do the 2 weeks cruises, where they go to another part of France, and if you have time, it seems like a good idea.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Well taken care of, crew got us on and oriented quickly, picked up from hotel on pre-cruise excursion.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Not very much food available if you missed the limited hours of dining. Breakfast was always pretty early, and to get a hot breakfast you always seemed rushed to get it in before the moning excursion. However, on the plus side, there was usually pastries and a coffee bar available, and the room had a refrigerator for snacks. Dinner was filling and you always had the abiilty to get a steak or salmon if the entrees of the evening aren't to your liking. I do recommend the drink package - we enjoyed upscale wines and mixed drinks and the bartender was exceptional. Overall - still wonderful, just would have liked to not be locked into dining hours as much.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
No pool or spa on board, and frankly the nightlife was pretty boring because everyone was tired after a full day of tours and excursions. The program director did a good job on getting people to dance and some of the entertainment was very good. Overall, it was a cruise of older couples and it really showed.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Piano player and they had a DJ a couple of nights. Older crowd, and no stage shows. Had an opera group in one evening. Average age of cruisers was in the mid 70s so the entertainment was petty tame.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
OMG, this was excellent on service and staff. We did our 25th anniversary renewal of vows and they did an outstanding, awesome, tear producing job of helping us celebrate. We had prepaid our tips, but the service was so good, and the people were so awesome, we tipped them a bit more.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Swedish decor and design. Streamlined, modern, clean looking. The layout was wonderful, and the ship had an elevator to allow us to go up and down without climbing stairs if my hip was hurting.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Tremendous.
Ship tip
Wear walking shoes, take a hat for the sun, and not to schedule too many tours on one day.
If you have mobility problems, be aware that the subway is not handicap friendly. You do at least 3 flight of stairs, and the pickpockets are awful. People in general were very nice to us, and we were considerate and careful. The tourist traps - do not eat there. Get away from the ship a bit and dine out one night for a treat and don't be afraid to visit some of the lesser known sites.
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