Staff Educational: Viking Cruises
Date Posted: 06/09/2024
Lois from our Witham branch recently embarked on the Viking Sky for an exciting 7-day adventure! Keep reading to find out what she got up to…
"Day 1: Embarkation Day (Greenwich)
Embarking the Viking Sky was quick and easy and the check in process was completely stress free. We were greeted onboard with a glass of prosecco- a lovely touch! Whilst we still had a bit of time before we could access our cabins, we grabbed some lunch in the world Cafe. A great option for a buffet style lunch with a big selection of meat, fish, vegetarian selections and fresh salad along with delicious desserts and ice cream. There is a huge variety, with something for everyone and the selection changing daily.
Once the cabin was available, I was keen to take a look. I was given a deluxe veranda on deck 6, in a midship position. It was a beautiful cabin which included a coffee machine, mini bar with soft drinks and snacks, robe and slippers, flat screen TV, binoculars and a king size bed. On taking a tour of the Viking Sky, it screams luxury from every angle. The décor and the details throughout are nothing short of amazing and the whole ship just gives off such a relaxed vibe.
Dinner was served in ‘The Restaurant’ which requires no reservations and offers an a la carte dining experience, serving regional cuisine and an always available menu. We then ended the night in Torshavn, listening to the Viking Band and sipping on a cocktail or two!
Day 2: Greenwich
Today was the first experience of an excursion with Viking Cruises. With an excursion included at every port, there is no excuse not to get out and explore! The tour was called ‘Royal Greenwich on Foot’ which was around an hour and a half with a tour guide who went into detail of historical monuments and figures found in the area. The main point of interest being the Cutty Sark clipper ship which is an award-winning attraction in Greenwich. There was plenty of time after to explore the area independently and then we popped into a pub to escape the rainy British weather!
It was time to explore the ship once I had returned and I can honestly say the staff throughout were some of the friendliest I have encountered. They genuinely couldn’t do enough for you and would always greet you with a ‘hello’ and a smile.
Dinner took place at Manfredi’s, the Italian restaurant. The food was delicious and plentiful with the option to have 5 courses! A personal favourite was the Bistecca alla Fiorentina which was the steak with Gorgonzola sauce. The whole experience of this restaurant was very enjoyable and the service impeccable.
It was finally time to set sail, so we head to the Explorer’s Lounge for the best view! With a cocktail in hand, we popped outside to see it depart the bright lights of Greenwich, which was so exciting!
Day 3: Dover
To start the day, I decided to order breakfast in bed. This was brought to my cabin at the selected time and I thoroughly enjoyed it whilst admiring the views of the cliffs of Dover from my balcony. This became my favourite type of breakfast as it meant I could appreciate the luxury of having a balcony.
In keeping with the relaxing morning, I visited the spa which is all included unless wanting treatments. Facilities included a sauna, jacuzzi swimming pool, hot tub, ice bucket and a snow grotto. The snow grotto was a first for me and one which I surprisingly enjoyed! The snow grotto is part of the Scandinavian bathing ritual, which involves alternating between hot and cold. This is a freezing cold enclosed room with snow and improves body circulation. I enjoyed trying out each facility and getting the full relaxation experience of the spa. The luxury feel throughout made this one of my favourite facilities and something I fully made use of throughout the week.
The included excursion of today was a historic Canterbury Tour on foot with a guide and we had the chance to explore the town on our own afterwards, before returning to the ship. The sailing times are always in the evening so plenty of time to explore the ports of call in each itinerary Viking Cruises offers.
The after-dinner entertainment of the evening was ‘coast to coast’ which was presented in the Star Theatre. The standard of singing was exceptional and featured songs of famous American artists such as Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond. We finished off the night as we did most nights, with a few drinks in Torreshavn.
Day 4: Sea Day
A day to simply enjoy the facilities of the ship and indulge in the extensive food and drink options available. The food throughout this cruise was nothing short of amazing, there is simply something for everyone to enjoy. Lunch was enjoyed at the buffet which was American theme to celebrate 4th of July! With the sun shining, it seemed only right to enjoy this outside on the pool deck.
Not many hours had passed, and it was time for more food! Viking Cruises offer an afternoon tea in the ‘Winter Garden’ with an assortment of sandwiches, cakes, scones with jam and cream and a very large menu of tea to choose from. This is a lovely touch, and I would definitely recommend having this on a sea day when you have extra time to spare.
Pre-dinner drinks became a nightly occurrence which was usually in the Explorers lounge, right at the front of the ship, with the best views! The drinks were of good quality, and I particularly enjoyed a strawberry daiquiri and espresso martini.
Dinner took place at the ‘Chefs Table’ which was my favourite restaurant. This restaurant’s menu changes every three days and can get fully booked so it is advised to book before the cruise. The menu was an Asian theme and consists of 5 courses, each with a wine pairing. This was incredible from start to finish and the wine was paired so beautifully with each course, something I had never experienced before! It was certainly something I would recommend booking for a special occasion on board. Each course and wine pairing were explained by the server and it really was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed.
Day 5: Isle of Man
With it being a British Isles cruise, the weather is always hit and miss! But today there was a bit of sunshine, so I made the most of this by enjoying the pool deck and relaxing in the jacuzzi. The views from here were lovely, with the coastline of Isle of Man in view. The staff onboard are the best I have ever experienced and are a large proportion of what makes for a good experience. Whilst bubbling away in the Jacuzzi I was offered a glass of prosecco without the need to ask! They really can’t do enough for you and the service was always done with a smile.
Seeing as I hadn’t tried the pool grill out yet, I felt today was the perfect time to give it a go! This is a more casual style dining which had a fresh salad bar along with made to order burgers, hot dogs, seafood and hot sandwiches for an easy bite to eat. I had a steak baguette which was delicious and so tender! Again, plenty of choice and the quality of ingredients was great.
Today’s included excursion was later in the day where we partook in a coach trip around the Isle of Man. We stopped at a small town and had a wander around before getting back on the coach and listening to the history of this small island.
Day 6: Holyhead, Wales
With the end of the cruise fast approaching, I thought it was only right I head back to the spa for one last time in the morning. Something I will definitely miss, but I am glad I made the most of this facility. The laid-back feel throughout this cruise ship is something I really enjoyed and never felt pressurized to add on any extras, everything was open to everyone and included which usually isn’t the case. We added the drinks package, and I feel was worth every penny to not be restricted to mealtimes only. Water, coffee and tea are readily available if you decide you would prefer not to add this on. Wine and beer are also served at lunch and dinner and the servers never let your glass go empty! This is always included without the need to purchase a drinks package if you would prefer not to.
There are plenty of places throughout the ship to unwind and relax, whether that be playing cards or reading a book. A favourite of mine was by the pool, where there were cushioned sunbeds looking out to sea! A perfect position for an afternoon nap.
The last excursion of the cruise was in Wales in Anglesey, where we visited the town with the longest name... Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. A name I wouldn’t dare try to pronounce! We also stopped off at the Menai Bridges, situated on the banks of the Menai Strait. Menai Bridges’ two impressive bridges provide Anglesey's physical links with the mainland. We had a great guide who explained the history throughout and points of interest we wouldn’t have known beforehand.
The last dinner back on the Viking Sky was at Manfredi’s again. This time, we were lucky enough to enjoy our last meal in the private dining room. Perfect for a large group or family who would prefer a more intimate experience. At this time, we were sailing to our last port of call, Liverpool. During this dinner we decided to try out as much as we could. Trying smaller portions of dishes helped you explore more of the menu without becoming as full. Again, another fantastic meal with a personal favourite of mine being the seafood linguine. Getting the chance to visit this restaurant again was great as to not miss out on dishes I didn’t get a chance to try the first time around!
Day 7: Liverpool
A fantastic cruise had come to an end, and it was time to depart what has been such an amazing experience and one I will never forget.
A gorgeous ship, amazing staff and incredible food! I would certainly recommend an ocean cruise onboard Viking Cruises for someone who enjoys a relaxed atmosphere with no pressure to dress up and who prefers a more casual experience. I love the fact all staterooms have a balcony as standard which really gives the ship a luxurious feel along with a more spacious layout throughout the ship. All ships part of the Viking Ocean fleet are laid out the same which means people who experience one cruise with Viking have familiar surroundings on the next, regardless of the ship. They are focused in on the experiences and itineraries of the destinations and with them being a smaller ship (930 passengers), Viking sky and the rest of the fleet can dock in ports the larger ships cannot.
The Viking Sky was my first ever cruise and it has really opened my eyes to cruising life and set the bar high if I were to cruise with anyone else in the future. It really has changed my perspective on cruising and the opportunity to experience somewhere new every day!"
