By Cynthia Boal Janssens Editor, AllThingsCruise.com September 2016 Once again the bags are packed, the fridge is cleaned out, my desk is almost clear and Chet is fretting about all the last-minute details of leaving home for a few weeks. Yes, we are bound for another cruise and so looking forward to sailing with a brand new cruise line, Viking Ocean Cruises, in one of our most favorite cruising grounds, the Baltic. The new cruise line…brought to …
We are home from our two-week Baltic cruise on the new Viking Star and we remain impressed. Here are some of the reasons that we think the folks at Viking are getting it right: They do not have a casino. They do not have photographers nor do they sell photos. They do not have art auctions. They do not have any passengers under the age of 18. The drinking age onboard is 21. They do not charge …
ABOARD THE VIKING STAR – We have all heard the adage, “Happy wife, happy life.” (Gotta admit, I’ve always liked that one.) But in cruising, the more appropriate saying is “Happy crew, happy ship.” And the Viking Star is one happy ship. In all my years of cruising, I don’t think I have ever encountered a staff as upbeat as the one onboard this new vessel. All 430 of them. Everyone is always smiling. Each and …
Read moreViking Star: This ship boasts a crew that any company would envy
ABOARD THE VIKING STAR – We just spent two lovely days in Denmark and today are in Stavanger, Norway. For most folks, the extensive touring in Berlin and Copenhagen wore them out a bit so spending yesterday in the little town of Aalborg was a welcome respite. After a short look-about town, it was a day for catching up … doing laundry (the ship has free self-serve launderettes), responding to email (there is free wi-fi on board …
Read moreThe Viking Star: Taking a look at a typical veranda cabin
ABOARD THE VIKING STAR – We are now well into this 14-day Baltic cruise on the new Viking Star and everyone is beginning to groan a bit. They are coming to realize that we have all been eating too much. The food on board is extremely good and varied and it is just too easy to give into temptation. So let me give you an overview of the dining options. But before that, let me remind you …
Read moreViking Star: Meals on board are very, very good and often have a Scandinavian twist
ABOARD THE VIKING STAR – After the end of our second day touring St. Petersburg, Russia – a full day tour from 9 to 5 – my Fitbit registered 13,236 steps. We certainly did stand and walk a lot exploring the palaces and gardens of the czars. But, hey, St. Petersburg is a bucket list destination for almost everyone aboard the Viking Star and they wanted to make the most of it. So for the two days …
Read moreThe Viking Star: Several heavy days of touring makes everyone appreciate a day at sea
ABOARD THE VIKING STAR — We have only been sailing on the Viking Star for two days. We began in Stockholm and visited Helsinki today. In that time, we have experienced two of the included shore excursions that are another hallmark of Viking’s destination-oriented approach to ocean cruising. Taking another page from its long experience in river cruising, Viking offers complimentary shore excursions in every port. That is pretty amazing. Frankly, the only other companies that I …
ABOARD THE VIKING STAR –– We have not yet been on the Viking Star for 24 hours but she is such a nice size that we have pretty much explored all her nooks and crannies. And so far, she rates an A+. I came to find out why Viking Ocean Cruises received so many rave reviews in it first year of operation and it is quickly becoming apparent why that is. I’ll be discussing the “whys” in …
Once again the bags are packed, the fridge is cleaned out, my desk is almost clear and Chet is fretting about all the last-minute details of leaving home for a few weeks. Yes, we are bound for another cruise and so looking forward to sailing with a brand new cruise line, Viking Ocean Cruises, in one of our most favorite cruising grounds, the Baltic. The new cruise line…brought to you by the folks who run Viking River …
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