Viking MS Symphony Southern France 8/28/11

We would welcome the opportunity to communicate with other passengers taking this river cruise.

We are also booked on the MS Symphony "Portraits of Southern France" cruise, but we're leaving July 17th.

I' understand that Viking does not own the MS Symphony; they charter it. I hope that this will not effect the quality of the trip or the accommodations.

The first sailing is not until May 22nd hopefully a few of the people cruising use Cruise Critic and we can get some idea as to their experience.

we're taking this crise also. Sorry to see not much written on this one.

Will be in Paris before. Have NO idea yet what we're going to do there.

I'm a last minute planner, so appreciate any hints of things NOT to miss there.

Anyone have a suggestion of nice hotels, but fairly reasonable, in Paris for a few extra nights?