On Board

In the "Explorer's Lounge"

(Sami here) Our ship, the Viking Star, was very nice, and a good fit for us. This is its second year in business and so it shows no signs of wear and tear. There were about 900 guests and about 400 crew. A big ship, but small enough to get into any port. The guests were a mix of British, Americans and a sprinkling of Asians from a number of countries. The majority of the crew were from the Philippines and Indonesia with the performers coming from the UK and Eastern European countries, and the management coming from Scandinavia and the UK. I can’t imagine living for six – nine months of the year in a ship’s interior cabin away from home and family, working long shifts, but they do, and many people have made a career of it, and feel Viking is the best employer.

Day time temperatures ranged from mid 60s thru low-80's, but it was always nice to have our own balcony.

There were six restaurants on board to chose from as well as several lounges that served food, there was 24-hour room service with a varied menu. Just the thing for returning tired from a late tour.

Our room was super comfortable. There was lots to do on board and we availed ourselves of a sprinkling of everything the ship had to offer. We enjoyed lectures on history, culture, and politics; as well as dancing the night away to rock and roll. There was lovely classical music, jazz, and ethnic music, and small Los Vegas-type shows. There was a Scandinavian-type spa with dry and moist heat rooms, cool and warm pools and even an ice room. I tried it all. Don sat the hot and cold treatments out.

Don creamed me in Scrabble, but then he did get the "q", the "z," and the "x," as well as an "s,'" a "w" and a "g." But then who is counting?

The food was very, very good and varied (we have not had the nerve to get on the scales since returning home), and wine and beer was complimentary with lunch and dinner.

A relaxing breakfast after a sleep-in morning. Good coffee.

There was plenty of opportunity to meet others or to be all by yourself. We were definitely the “new-bees,” with some passengers having sailed with Viking ten to twenty times! I think the company must know its audience. We understand we are the median age of Viking guests, seventy years old, but we often felt young amid all of the mobility-challenged people around us.

Really nice, understated interior design. We liked the glass steps.

Of course Don wanted to see all of the mechanics of the ship, but he had to content himself with a printout and what could be viewed from the deck.