We had been considering a river cruise with a group of close friends for several years. Other friends had already taken a Viking river cruise and had nothing but praise for the experience. So on May 26 a group of 12 of us sailed on the Viking Egil for a Romantic Danube cruise. The staff onboard was terrific, particularly our Program Director Oliver Grozner, and our waitresses Julie and Jesse. The food was excellent and the service very attentive. Most of us purchased the Silver Spirits package and the selection of wines and cocktails was outstanding. The excursions were very interesting and educational and I felt that the guides were all very knowledgeable. The sole exception would be Szentendre (outside of Budapest) which we felt to be a tourist trap We extended our cruise on both ends with 3 extra days in Prague and 2 in Budapest, both beautiful old cities with many great sites to visit. Our hotel in Prague was the Art Nouveau Palace and was very nice. The hotel in Budapest was the Hilton Budapest City, not quite up to par. The ice machine on our floor was broken and there was no safe in our room. Returned home exhausted but extremely happy with our experience.