It’s our last breakfast on the Viking Var. In 24-hours every passenger from this ship will be somewhere else, and the crew will be providing services to new passengers.
My overall impression
I really did enjoy my cruise. The clientele is an older crowd, mostly retirees, but they are active seniors who say age is just a number, and were on the go all the time.
The staff is second to none. Service was impeccable and I felt like a VIP. Even though you’re a passenger for just a week, they treat you like a longtime guest.
Pros
- Service and food very good
- Comfortable staterooms with high quality toiletries, L’Occitane.
- Dual voltage in room, European and North American
- Free wifi but not always high speed. Great when docked in port, slow “at sea” when cruising.
- Video on demand in room, although movies were older
- Included tours with local guides
- Included beverages at mealtimes, from bottomless wine, beer and soft drinks. Premium booze is available, but extra.
- 24-hour coffee and tea bar, and the machine serves coffee drinks like au lait, cappuccino, and even hot chocolate
Cons
- Super busy tour schedule
- Not enough time to explore a city
- Some tours overlap, so you can only select one tour
- Slow wifi when cruising, especially at night.
- Only one dining time, so there’s no way to get food if you’re craving a snack
- The “optional” tip of $12 per person, per day seemed a bit high, but it’s entire ship staff sharing.
I would recommend this to someone who likes a smaller ship, fewer passengers and is not afraid to meet and mingle with other people.
Room 214 was in the middle of the ship with a French window, not balcony, and it was just fine. Since the weather was so cold, most of the time I had the window closed. Occasionally, I would crack the window to hear the current trickle against the ship.
Viking is not a cheap cruiseline, but they do provide a lot of amenities that ocean liners I’ve been to have charged me extra for. So overall it does balance out in the end.
It may not be for everyone, as some people would justify why it is not for them, as an ocean cruise liner is much cheaper. I’ve been on an ocean cruise liner, and now a river cruise. I would most definitely return on an river cruise if I want less people on board, and get a better ratio with passenger to staff service.