Viking Experience Tweaked For Caribbean Cruising

Stopping in the British Virgin Islands on our West Indies Explorer sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises brought the second of included tours at every port of call.  An interesting concept in a part of the world where  ‘a day at the beach’ is a common activity, I had wondered how interesting a tour every day in the Caribbean would be.  Two ports in on a nine port itinerary, we seem to be on our way to redefining Caribbean cruising already.  At this point it’s a work in progress, one that has required the Viking experience to be tweaked a bit for the Caribbean.

Viking Experience Tweaked
Stopping at Road Town in Tortola, Viking Star was the only ship in port.  That brought a much different scene than the previous day, when two comparatively gigantic ships were also visiting San Juan.

Viking Experience Tweaked

Arriving for the first time in Tortola, we received a special welcome complete with parade, marching band and music playing on the pier the entire time we were in port.

Viking Experience Tweaked

Described as an island drive that would take us high in the mountains, our three hour tour concerned us. By motorcoach, plentiful photo opportunities might be traded for an air conditioned ride. That concern was laid to rest rather quickly as we hopped on open but covered trucks that took 20 Viking travelers on tour.

Viking Experience Tweaked

Ascending Fort Hill to scenic Belle Vue we followed the Ridge Road to Great Mountain with Kitty, our guide narrating what we were seeing all along the way.  Pausing several times on the driving tour provided plentiful opportunities to take photos or just consider the beauty of the place.

Viking Experience Tweaked

Descending Windy Hill Road to North shore of Tortola, we passed through  the villages of Carrot Cay, Apple Bay and Carpoon’s Bay.

Viking Experience Tweaked

Heading back up into the mountains, we stopped at Zion Hill and explored the Western end of the island, stopping at Pusser’s Bay for some free time to roam around.  Many Viking travelers chose to sample the local fare, browse the boutiques or just relax before returning to Viking Star along a coastal road.

Viking Experience Tweaked

Our tour ran from 12:30 to 3:30 in the afternoon, later than we normally take tours but intentional.  We wanted to take it easy early in the day, allowing plenty of time to sleep and enjoy the ship while others might be on tour.  Half of that thought worked.

Viking Experience Tweaked

Plenty of time to sleep happened but the thought of going later on tour, enjoying the ship while others are off on tour was rendered irrelevant:  there are rarely times on Viking Star when crowding is an issue. When it is, that usually means there is some wonderful  gathering happening for some reason and we are happy about that.

Viking Experience Tweaked

Not that plenty of time on board in the morning went to waste; Lisa is moving right along on her ‘read a book every day’ activity that defines a good cruise experience.

Viking Experience Tweaked

In anticipation of our time off the ship during lunch, we ordered room service to be delivered just before we planned to get off the ship.  A Chef’s Selection of Premium Cold Cuts worked for me while Lisa enjoyed a Caesar Salad.   That night would bring dinner in The Restaurant.

Viking Experience Tweaked

I’m finding plenty of time for photos of the places we are visiting as well as sunrise and sunset.  Returning to the ship after touring, a cold towel awaits when walking back on the ship.  Another comes our way on deck as attentive crew take good care of us.  In other words, the life of sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises is adapting very well to the Caribbean, as we had hoped.

tortola-tour-052

 

Follow Along On Our Viking Ocean Cruises West Indies Explorer sailing:

Viking Ocean Cruises In The Caribbean

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Viking Caribbean: Pre-Cruise Countdown

  1. Coming Up: Viking West Indies Explorer, Epic Invasion
  2. Viking Cruises Caribbean: Island Connected Dining Like Never Before
  3. Viking Cruises Caribbean: Panoramic Island Hopping\
  4. Viking Cruises West Indies Explorer Countdown
  5. Viking Caribbean Shoreside Focus Different, Included
  6. Thinkable World Of Viking To Meet The Caribbean
  7. In The Viking Caribbean, No Smuggling Skills Needed, Door Wide Open
  8. Uniquely Different Viking Ocean Cruises: Specific Features That Caribbean Travel Will Like 
  9. Follow Viking Star In Real Time Satellite View
  10. Flexibility Enables Surprise Viking Exploration, Again
  11. Coming To North America: Our Viking Adventure Begins 
  12. Viking Introduces Previously Ignored Caribbean 
  13. Viking Welcome Home: It Can Happen Anywhere
  14. Exploring Iceland Like Vikings: Thoughtfully
  15. Vikings Explore Prince Christian Sound, Very Carefully
  16. Spectacular Travel Moments With Viking Ocean Cruises
  17. Interesting Viking Tour Brings Global View In Very Simple Terms 
  18. Viking Star Passes Ultimate Cruise Traveler Test
  19. Viking Caribbean: Something New For Someone New
  20. Aggressive Repositioning Itinerary Highlights Viking Commitment To Travelers
  21. Thoughtful Canadian Port Choice Typical Of Viking Destination Focus 
  22. Features Not Part Of The Viking Caribbean Experience
  23. Viking Star Caribbean Dining: New Cuisine For Cruise Travelers
  24. Actually, Viking Star Is Designed For Caribbean Cruising
  25. Incomparable Viking Star
  26. Viking Star Base Features To Elevate Caribbean Cruise Experience
  27. In The Wake Of Vikings [PHOTOS] 
  28. Viking Caribbean Preview: Your Questions Answered
  29. Viking Caribbean Preview: More Of Your Questions Answered
  30. Reader Question Highlights Viking Attention To Detail 
  31. Slideshow: Favorite Viking Star Features I Can’t Wait To See
  32. Viking World Cruise: I Could Do That
  33. Viking Star Arrives In New York City  

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  1. A Day In Reykjavik, Iceland
  2. Icelandic Air
  3. In The Steps Of Vikings: Cruising Prince Christian Sound
  4. Nanortalik, Greenland
  5. Qaqortoq, Greenland
  6. Viking Star Penthouse Verandah Staterooms
  7. Viking Star Ship Shots
  8. Viking Star At Sea
  9. Northern Lights
  10. Viking Star Culinary: Mamsens
  11. Viking Star Nordic Spa
  12. Viking Star Living Room Bar
  13. Viking Star Culinary Sampling
  14. Viking Star Explorer’s Lounge
  15. Viking Star Pool Grill
  16. Viking Star Past Guest Party
  17. Viking Star Living Room
  18. Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
  19. Viking Star Infinity Pool
  20. Sailing To Canada On Viking Star
  21. Viking Star Top Deck Spaces
  22. Viking Star Aquavit Bar
  23. Viking Star Crew
  24. Viking Star Main Pool Area
  25. Greenland From The Deck Of Viking Star
  26. Viking Documentation
  27. Al Fresco Seating Areas

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