A least 25% of trip the Viking Sky was tied up to either the port or starboard side of our ship, the Viking Freya. This resulted in completely blocking the view from our stateroom, #211. I suspect you plan this to save on various fees you may incur, however, I hope you realize this represents a very poor image for a company that advertises a unique and special experience. This same lack of view occurs in the dinning room. Instead of looking at a beautiful landscape we are looking at another ships hull. I found this whole docking side by side idea very disappointing and not representing the experience I thought I was paying for.
Our captain was very reclusive. On the occasion he was seen in the passenger area, he rarely spoke or smiled or otherwise communicated with the passengers. I have experience the opposite on two other cruises we have taken. Previous captains would intentionally walk through the dinning room during dinner and stop at various tables to ask how everyone is doing and does anyone have any questions about the ship or various ship functions. It felt good to think the captain actually cared about how his passengers were doing. It has been my impression that a ship's captain sets the tone for the cruise. It appeared Captain Simon just wanted us all to go away so he could maneuver his ship.
Our program director was just not a very practiced or well organized. Perhaps he was new at the job but he often was overwhelmed and made several mistakes during our cruise. I must say, he seemed to have a desire to please the passengers and took his responsibilities seriously, he just wasn't successful. One couple were put on the wrong tour. When they told Colin what happened, he asked them if they wouldn't mind paying for the optional tour. They did not and no apology was given. Of course, the misplaced couple came back unhappy that they had missed the optional tour for which they signed up. A mistake was made in the Viking Daily for the time of another excursion and my wife and I almost missed that trip.
Viking Freya, cabin 211. Great cabin, excellent bathroom, nice TV with a bow camera viewing option, quite location at midships. View often blocked by another ship being tied up to our beam.