This was our first river cruise and we wanted to see France, so the Paris to Normandy cruise was an attractive option. The shore excursions and the guides were wonderful. We did the optional Highlights of Paris shore excursion that included the Louvre - a good first-time experience. The watercolor painting class offered in Giverny was a great experience and started our hobby of painting. The tour of the Normandy beaches was very moving. We selected the Commonwealth beaches so that we could see the Bayeux tapestry and have a smaller group, a choice which turned out to be excellent. We also did the optional Loire Valley extension with a small group, which we would highly recommend. This included staying at a wonderful hotel that was a medieval chateau. Sites included Orleans and Amboise, final home of da Vinci.

Of course, the food, drink, and hospitality on the ship were wonderful. The dinners included a standard menu as well as the chef's special for the day which was frequently designed to match a feature of the local area in which we were docked. The food was very well-prepared, and we were never disappointed. The service was very attentive, both during dinner and in the lounge before/after dinner. Activities were frequently planned after the day excursions and in the evening after dinner that provided opportunities to meet the other guests on the cruise. All-in-all, a wonderful experience that made us want to plan our next cruise with Viking soon.