Voyage of the Vikings Final Thoughts

Final thoughts

The longest cruise I had done before this one was 21 days long.   I thought I would like to do longer cruises but thought I should gradually add days.  WRONG!   I found that after 3 1/2 weeks it no longer felt like a trip but felt like home.   I feel like no future cruise would be too long.

I felt like I was living in a village that just happens to move every night.  There are people I like,  people I avoid, and a few people (not many) that I haven’t met.  I made many friends on this cruise.

The thing that made this cruise over the top was Barbara, the Culinary Arts Host.   She scheduled a solos and singles event every 3-4 days.  These weren’t hookup kind of events.   They were casual get together so solos didn’t feel alone.  She left the ship with us and will be doing the Volendam Asia cruises.

I met some people who I hope to remain friends with.   I really hope we will sail together again.

This was my 4th solo cruise.  I join into everything just to meet people.  Jeremy, our Show Host, had Viking Games in the atrium every sea day.  Despite my inability to score points, he always made it fun.   My favorite was putting down the stairs trying to get the golf ball onto a bean bag. I have never laughed so much on a cruise.   We even had groupies who would look over the railings from the upper floors to see what crazy game we were playing.

Christina Purcell  was our Cruise Director.   She was very friendly and approachable through the cruise. She has a beautiful singing voice.  The piano man, Barry (from Boston) and Christina did a show one afternoon of Broadway tunes.

I  would sail again with Barbara, Jeremy, and/or Christina in a heart beat. Jeremy is off to the Osterdam and Christina will be with Barbara on the Volendam.

The food on board was good but by week 4 I was full and could only eat 1/2 of my plate.  I started going to the Lido for dinner and eating a small plate of pasta.

I attended every wine tasting and every Cellar Master dinner. They were all great.  They look expensive but you could never get food and wine of that quality for that price anywhere.

The staff was, as always, friendly and went out of there way to learn my name.  I would round the corner to Exploration Cafe and my morning latte would be ready.

In his farewell update the Captain said that he saw more ice on this cruise than all others combined.  During the cruise I met people who have done this cruise 5+ times.  They all said this was the best.  I am so glad I was on this year.

My next cruise is the Prinsendam Holiday cruise.  A few people I met on this cruise told me they will be on it too.  It will be nice to see familiar faces.