The Part Of Viking Cruises I Have Not Mentioned

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

Preparing for the trek home from Bergen to Orlando, I’d like to take a moment to talk about the part of Viking Cruises I have not yet mentioned. It is one of the very most important parts of the experience and one that speaks volumes about the Viking organization. The crew.

If you noticed, I have not included one photo of the stellar crew on Viking Sky. The reason, other than the obvious privacy concerns, is that when writings such as this focus on specific crew, they often include names. “So and so was just fabulous on my sailing” or “(name of the crew member) defined my excellent experience”. Those specific mentions make your good time dependent on that particular crew. Odds are, that crew will not be on your next sailing. There are just too many variables affecting the equation; a growing fleet such as with Viking for one. Crew go on vacation and transfer to different ships or cruise lines. The good news here: our experience is not dependent on any one individual. It’s all about the team and Viking does it better than a whole lot of other cruise lines.

Examples range from being greeted and walked on the ship for embarkation to a smooth transition from a travel day to being on the ship. Crew not only interacts with guests individually but shares information about that crew. “How did they know I like _______?” was heard a lot around the ship as well as performance indicators like “I have not eaten anything I did not love on this ship!”. This is the kind of information we need when choosing to a cruise line to invest our time and money in. Viking nails that with efforts like surveys after each tour, included or optional that specifically ask “Was this tour a good use of your time and money?” The answer most commonly a resounding “YES!”. “Do you want to come back again?” “YES!” . This is probably the single most important result of travel that needs to be confirmed. Viking nails it every single time.

Viking Ocean Cruises stands out among other cruise lines for several reasons:

  1. Destination-Focused: Viking Ocean Cruises prioritizes immersive experiences in each port of call. With longer stays and fewer sea days, passengers have ample time to explore destinations thoroughly, often visiting multiple ports within a single day. This allows for deeper cultural immersion and a more enriching travel experience. More overnights let travelers see destinations at ,well, night.
  2. Intimate and Relaxed Atmosphere: Viking Ocean Cruises’ smaller ships, with a maximum capacity of less than 1000 passengers, create a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere than larger cruise lines. This fosters community and camaraderie among passengers, enhancing the overall travel experience.
  3. Cultural Enrichment: Viking Ocean Cruises emphasizes cultural enrichment through a variety of onboard and shoreside programs. Passengers can attend lectures, cooking demonstrations, and cultural performances, or participate in shore excursions led by knowledgeable local guides. This focus on enrichment sets Viking apart from cruise lines that prioritize entertainment over education.
  4. Modern and Elegant Design: Viking ships boast a modern Scandinavian design that exudes elegance and sophistication. The thoughtfully designed public spaces and staterooms offer a comfortable and stylish environment for passengers to relax and unwind.
  5. Inclusive Value: Viking Ocean fares include many amenities that other cruise lines charge extra for, such as shore excursions, Wi-Fi, beer, wine, and specialty dining. This inclusive approach provides passengers with a more seamless and stress-free travel experience. Even the optional Silver Spirits beverage package is reasonable at $25 per person per night.
  6. No Casinos or Kids Clubs: Viking Ocean Cruises does not have casinos or kids clubs onboard its ships, catering to an adult clientele seeking a more sophisticated and tranquil travel experience.
  7. Excellent Service: Viking Ocean Cruises is renowned for its exceptional service, with attentive and friendly staff dedicated to ensuring that passengers have a memorable and enjoyable experience.

These factors combine to make Viking Ocean Cruises a top choice for discerning travelers seeking a more immersive, culturally enriching, and luxurious cruise experience.

As mentioned, I am off to the Bergen airport this morning to begin travel back home to Orlando. Still, this story is far from over. Stay subscribed for notifications of deep dives into images from the sailing, all things culinary, and more. It will be a great ride, and we’ll pick that back up later this week. Thanks for following along, and, most importantly, Let me know what questions you have.

See what we have published about this most current sailing of Viking Sky so far: