Ultra-Premium Cruise Line

Viking River Cruises Changes Policy to No Children on Board

by

I’ve enjoyed two exceptional river cruises with Viking: River of Gold in Portugal and the Danube Waltz following the famed river from Budapest to, Bratislava, Vienna, the Wachau Valley and ending in Germany. Both cruises offered stellar service and educational opportunities in addition to their wonderful itineraries. During my journeys, no children were aboard, however, I cruised at a time when schools were in session. A new Viking River Cruise policy went into effect after my trips. …

Read more

A vintage vessel with a fresh makeover, this ship is cruising the world for Azamara

by

 Cruise line pursues upscale, bespoke-style on its boutique ships On the new Azamara Pursuit, docked for the day at Cherbourg, France, an engaging breakfast waiter brought me coffee, placing a cup and saucer at the table. After sipping, I set the cup directly onto the table. Later, when I asked for a refill, the waiter lifted my cup, filled it, and placed it back onto the saucer. “Yes,” she said, laughing, when I asked whether most Americans …

Read more

Viking Sky Cruise 17: Children of the Earth share hopes for world peace

by

ABOARD THE VIKING SKY – Standing like ancient druids, the round stones mark the hopes and dreams of children from different nations. Erected decades ago, the messages are even more important today. “It was meant to be something positive, something that would stand here to remind the world that we all should be friends and live in peace,” tour guide Brenda said. When the Viking Sky docked in Oslo, Norway, I headed off for the North Cape …

Read more

Viking Sky Cruise 16: Chef’s Table offers tastes from around the world

by

ABOARD THE VIKING SKY – Eating at The Chef’s Table is like taking a culinary trip around the world. The five-course menu is set. That means you don’t order, you just eat what is brought to the table. Although I had never heard of some of the dishes described on the set menu, I must say I enjoyed them all. Some a little more than others. It was quite a tasty education. One of the Viking Sky’s …

Read more

Viking Sky Cruise 15: Ship’s restaurant Manfredi’s named for cruise competitor

by

ABOARD THE VIKING SKY – In the often-cutthroat world of business, I just heard the nicest thing on my Viking Sky cruise. The wonderful Manfredi’s Italian restaurant on the ship was named for Silversea’s chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio. In return, d’Ovidio named a special spot on Silversea’s cruise ship after Viking Cruise chairman Torstein Hagen. At the very top of the Silversea’s ship, it’s called Tor’s Observation Library. How about that for two competitors who can still …

Read more

Viking Sky Cruise 14: Viking helmets did not have horns, plus Viking link to Bluetooth

by

ABOARD THE VIKING SKY – Vikings did not have horns on their helmets. With apologies to Minnesota football fans, Jeremy Paterson added with a smile. A wonderful part of a Viking Sky cruise is the guest lectures by experts such as Paterson. As resident historian, Paterson is giving talks in the ship’s Star Theater almost every day. Today he talked about the Vikings, challenging traditional Viking stereotypes as well as examining the Norsemen’s influence and legacy. “Think …

Read more

Viking Sky Cruise: Story of heroic World War II dog

by

ABOARD THE VIKING SKY – At first, I thought it was a make-believe story.  When I was a child, the neighborhood storyteller Miss Minnie mesmerized me and my siblings with the exploits of an extraordinary dog. As soon as I got a chance to go to the school library, I looked it up.  The story was true. Bamse was a real live World War II hero. Now my Viking Sky cruise will be docking in the Norwegian …

Read more

Viking Sky Cruise 12: Shetland ponies are small but strong and sturdy

by

ABOARD THE VIKING SKY – Don’t know how he could see with all that long hair in his eyes. But he seemed to gallop along just fine when he spied a hand reaching out to pet him. On this sunny day, the Viking Sky has docked in Lerwick, Scotland, and I have signed up for the Shetland Panoramic and Ponies shore excursion. I couldn’t miss the chance to see these historic little critters. “Shetland ponies date back …

Read more

Viking Sky Cruise 11: Cruise Director a man of many talents

by

ABOARD THE VIKING SKY – Over the years, I’ve seen cruise directors who sing. A few even dance. But I have never seen a cruise director who sings, dances, does handstands and flips into a hot tub filled with ice. That is our Viking Sky Cruise Director Aaron Syfert. He is a man of many talents. On our cruise, Aaron makes the morning announcement to tell us the ship has been cleared to go ashore. He usually …

Read more

Viking Sky Cruise: Visiting the ship’s surprising Snow Grotto

by

ABOARD THE VIKING SKY – I should have known better. The sign said very clearly “Cold bucket shower.” But I pulled the chain. And it definitely was cold. Very cold. But not nearly as cold as the Snow Grotto. On a ship, for goodness sake. The first one I’ve ever seen. It is definitely an unusual spot on the Viking Sky. I’ll tell you more about those later. But first, I want to describe the wonderful spa, …

Read more