We are on the final leg of a beautiful journey.
A spectacular ocean voyage that began in Oslo, Norway and will end in Montreal, Canada. This is a journey surrounded by water with quite a few days at sea.
We're on one of those wonderful Viking cruises on one of Viking's brand new ocean liners. We're on the Viking Sea (shown above off the cost of Greenland) The secrets Of but we could be on any of Vikings new ships (they're will eventually be as many as 20 of them) because each of these new ocean vessels is exactly alike.
These ships are smaller than most other oceans liners but bigger than the pioneering Viking river boats.
With spacious accommodations for 900 people, the Viking Sea seems perfectly-sized to give all passengers a unique cruising experience -- fresh, modern Nordic-inspired surroundings with plenty of room for everyone and lots of opportunities to get to know people.
Viking is literally redefining ocean travel with these ships which feature world-class artwork, an understated atmosphere, an extraordinary level of service and the sort of soothing, muted tones everywhere to set just the right mood for tranquil travel.
If you want lots of splash and flash and you're looking to raise hell and possibly party the night away, then this is probably not the cruise for you. This is not to say that Viking isn't geared up for fun. There's plenty of music, top notch fine dining, nightly shows in an intimate theater, well-stocked bars and lounges, movies, lectures, two pools and plenty of off shore excursions. But you won't find a casino on board and forget about wet t-shirt contests and other silly shenanigans as well. Also, no children -- no one unde the age of 18.
What you will find on Viking is highly-attentive, personalized service, a sleek, up-to-the-minute spa and fitness center, a few exclusive shops, cozy surroundings and genteel touches like afternoon tea and a library that's spread throughout the ship. Plus, there's this wonderful added bonus: free internet access on-board through the ship.
It's been an extraordinary journey so far and we've already made quite a few new friends. Of course, our itinarary had to be rearranged several times because of the remnants of a hurricane and some rough seas. But this is not unusual for a north Atlantic crossing at this time of the year.
Now, if you're thinking about cruise travel, we have some tips for you:
- Use a knowledgeable travel agent who specializes in cruises to plan and book your trip. We use Completely Cruises in Haddonfield, NJ. The people at the aptly-named Completely Cruises know everything there is to know about cruise travel and they will take care of all of the details for you. ------Even if you've been offered a special deal or discount, you can apply the same offer through a cruise specialist and it will save a lot of time and effort on your part. It's well worth it.
- Check out all of the reputable cruise lines and go with a well-known and respected brand. We like Viking and Holland America because they're more classic lines that caters to our demographic. We've also had reasonably good experiences with Royal Caribbean which is more of a mass-market line.
- Try not to plan a cruise that stops in a new port every day. Give yourself time between ports to relax and unwind. One of the great joys of cruise travel is sitting on your own veranda or on a comfortable promenade chaise or even in a cocktail lounge and watching the vastness of the ocean glide by. It's an unmatched experience that needs to be savored. Days at sea will provide you with some of your best memories.
- Try a bit of everything on the cruise. Sample each of the eating places and try the different shows and activities that are offered. This is a chance to try something new. Be adventurous.
- You will be tempted to eat or drink everything simply because it's there for the taking. Don't do it! Overindulging on a cruise ship can be a prescription for trouble. You're going to be offered a huge array of food and libations. Pick and choose. Pace yourself. Ease into it.
- Make sure you check out the square footage of your stateroom. Go online and view the sort of stateroom you want. You don't need a suite but you don't want to be cramped either. And if you're in warner climes, you're almost certainly gonna want a veranda. All Viking rooms come with this added plus.
- If you have an opportunity to share dinner with other guests, go for it at least once or twice. It's a great opportunity to get to know people from all over the world , share experiences and trade travel stories.
Cruising is sort of like a floating summer camp for adults.
The Viking ships create a small community that comes together to share the better things in life for a limited amount of time. Bigger ships are like floating cities at sea.
Either way, it can be quite magical!
