IA Hawkeye Cruisers

We are looking into an ocean cruise through Viking. We usually use our local travel agent, but after calling Viking with questions about a certain cruise, the gentleman was very helpful and said we can book directly through him at Viking.  Pros and cons of doing it this way or local travel agent? 

10 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

It would help folks to answer your first question if you specify which Viking itinerary you have booked, as the shore excursion options are specific to each river port.

Thank you for mentioning that. Just "getting our feet wet" on the whole process! We're going from Vienna to Bucharest, May 28-June 13, on the Kadin. It's the Capitals of Eastern Europe trip. 

After going on 10 ocean cruises with Princess,  we've booked a river cruise on a Viking ship. We've heard shore excursions are included in the price but you can book others also. Who can tell us more! And any other differences between large ocean cruises vs smaller river ones,  besides less people on board.