Every detail about the Homelands Cruise was planned and carried out to an excellent standard. The use of Viking Air made getting from my home city to the city of embarkation very easy. I was met at the airport and taken by transport directly to the ship on time for the first day of the cruise. Embarkation ran smoothly and efficiently. Departing the ship at the end of the cruise also ran smoothly and the transport to the airport was pre-arranged and on time. The stateroom was spacious and well maintained by efficient and friendly stewards. The restaurants and buffet served excellent meals with top notch service. The tours were well organized and there was minimal waiting or lining up to board transports or to enter/exit the ship. The tour leaders were knowledgeable, friendly, entertaining and helpful. The ship itself was spotless and inviting in all areas. The entertainment was excellent and the main theatre was very comfortable. I found the service in all areas of the ship to be excellent. Staff were willing to help and answer any questions. I highly recommend the Homelands Cruise on the Viking Jupiter ship to anyone who wants to see the Baltic Sea area of the world. Read Less

We haven’t sailed on Seabourn since 2012 as we were put off by their liberal smoking policies. We decided to try them again especially since the itinerary for the British Isles was unique having a good number of stops in Scotland. Embarkation was quick and our suite was ready at noon time which was a great plus for us. We stayed in a spa penthouse suite which was quite nice but not sure it is worth the extra money versus a regular penthouse suite. You really don’t get much extra except for a few extra soaps and sponges, and a larger balcony. Seabourn advertises healthy snacks in the spa suites but we had great trouble getting them to deliver what was advertised. Perhaps it was due to a totally clueless stewardess who failed to replenish items on several occasions and seemed uninformed about extras for the spa suite, among other issues. When reported to the supervisor, we were told that she was new and to give her a few more days, and if we weren’t satisfied, they would replace her. Although we had numerous other problems with her and reported them, the housekeeping supervisor never replaced her. We ate most of our meals in the Restaurant where the food was top notch and wait service excellent. We used room service for breakfast every day and several times for dinner. They also delivered the same top notch service and excellent food as the Restaurant. Used private tour guides so did not sign up for any of the ship shore excursions. Staff at Seabourn Square were efficient and helpful. We especially enjoyed this area for coffee and snacks during the day. In terms of entertainment, we only attended one show which included a comedian which was okay, just okay. Handre served as cruise director and certainly lived up to his fine reputation. Overall, this is a lovely and comfortable ship that handles rough seas quite well. Except for a problem with housekeeping oversight and our stewardess, sailing on the Ovation was a very enjoyable and memorable experience. Read Less

Only supposed to be 1 night at sea but due to weather we had 2 consecutive days and could not go outside. Ship could not visit Gdańsk. Been with Viking river cruises before And delighted with professionalism of the staff. Visited places we wanted Togo Outstanding staff and food with a variety of restaurants to choose from. Our favourite was the world cafe. No rigid seating in any restaurant and plenty of tables for two.the drinks flowed at dinner and lunch too. Beautiful floating palaces. The evening entertainment was of a high standard and varied.matthew singing during the evening in the explorer lounge was excellent too. The enhancement programme was rather high brow for our tastes, however. Excursions were well arranged with no queuing to get on and off. Included excursions were orientation tours of each city. There was a large variety of additional excursions but we considered these expensive and only did ones in St Petersburg. Viking is an outstanding company but you do need to be aware that customers are predominantly Americans. Read Less

The cruise went to all the cities we have wanted to see for several years. Our hotel stay in Stocholm was lovely and in the perfect location for walking. The Viking Sky is a beautiful ship. Our cabin couldn't have been nicer. We had plenty of room and storage in our cabin. Our bath had nice a nice heated floors. Our refrigerator was refilled everyday with drinks and snacks. The excursions and tour guides were excellent. The ballet in St Petersburg was exceptional. The disembarkation was very well organized and easy to do. The enrichment talks on board were very informative and helpful to understanding the cities on the tours. The food was exceptional featuring local cuisine and wines and beers. The young entainers were extremely talented with a variety of shows. Everything about this cruise was exceptional and couldn't have been more perfect. The staff were all so friendly and helpful. Read Less

We were celebrating our anniversary and this trip made a stopover in Aalborg where my beautiful wife’s family lived before coming to America. The ship was beautiful and spotless. The staff were excellent and so accommodating to our every desire. The entertainment and food could not have been more enjoyable. We were not able to get into the port at Gdańsk, Poland because of the weather but the trip was very comfortable. All of the restaurants were very enjoyable and the fact that all the restaurants were included in our room charge was a welcome surprise vs other cruise experiences. The artwork aboard the ship was very enjoyable to view. The music performances were all done with great taste and enjoyed by all the guests we met on this trip. We also really appreciated the diversity of shore excursions and the fact that all ports had at least one excursion that was included in your original fare. All of the ports were unique and the historians aboard gave us great reviews before we left the ship for our tours. We will be using Viking for another trip next September. Read Less

The Viking Homelands itinerary seemed perfect for us and though we hadn’t been on a Viking Cruise before, had always heard good things. The experience from start to finish was amazing and, now that we have been thoroughly spoiled, would find this cruise line hard to beat. The friendly staff’s prompt attentiveness and professionalism, exceptional logistics from embarking to disembarking (and all in-between), well planned tours in each country and variety of dining options exceeded our expectations. The ship is so well laid out that you can find quiet getaway areas or seek out activities to join, as you’d like. It never felt too crowded. The Viking staff take all feedback to heart and they seem to be continually looking for ways to achieve the wow factor for all of their guests. It was quite relaxing to leave all of the details to Viking and we are delighted to have had such a positive experience. Read Less

The cruise was nice, but it fell a little short of my expectations. Most all of the staff was very friendly, but being in the explorer suite we expected a little more of a personable experience like we have received on other cruise lines. Our suite had several mechanical issues (we got locked out of our room twice, tv was serviced three times but still did not work properly, outside door hatch was not latched properly and banged open and closed all night, toilets didn’t work one morning). It would be nice to have a butler service like other cruise lines, and a direct phone number to that person if they are needed. The entertainment most evenings was only at 9:15 pm. We are accustomed to having the option of an early or a late show. We were not interested in waiting until late evening to see a show. A 6:30 and 9:15 would be a much better option. Not everyone wants to stay up that late. Read Less

We chose this cruise because we love cruising. We find this way of travelling very relaxing and at the same time interesting. You can visit many cities and have a general idea of all the places the ship stop. The ship has all you need to have a fantastic vacation time. We never have to wait for a table to eat. The restaurants, all of them are amazing. The chef Ivan, from Chile took really good care of us. He showed as the kitchen and we were surprised how everything was being prepare for each meal in all of the restaurants. The cabin was very comfortable, as well as the bed and pillows, but the best part in the cabin was the bathroom. Really big for a ship bath with warm floor. They have service twice a day to keep the cabin always tidy and clean. We love the entertainment, the 4 young vocalists were exceptional, same as the pianists and the 2 girls who played stringed instruments. We only were sad because the ship couldn't stop in Poland port due to weather conditions.The excursions were very interesting same as the guides, specially Helen in Saint Petersburg. We did some included excursions and some prepaid ones. We already booked a future trip to Egypt in a Viking river for 2021. We recommend the pre and post cruise extensions, both great options, we enjoyed them a lot. We value very much; the quality of service Viking has. Although we did many other cruises with other companies, this last one was overall the best ever. Thanks Viking crew and everyone on the ship for a great experience and a phenomenal vacation. Read Less

This was a thrilling cruise! I have always wanted to visit Scandinavia. The three destinations in Norway were varied and interesting. In Scavanger we visited the Nature Centre and not only experienced incredible exhibits but were treated to a panoramic tour of the north which I found thrilling to watch. Bergen was a wonderful way to end the cruise and when there we experienced plus 30C sunny weather! The highlight for me was the Pulpit Rock Cruise, in Eidfjiord Norway. I loved experiencing the fiords from the top of the boat! We loved visiting the varied destinations taking in St. Petersburg, Russia, Berlin Germany, Estonia, Finland and Denmark. Our tour guides were very knowledgeable and pleasant. I learned so much about the history of these historic destinations. Stockholm is a beautiful city. Visiting there was a wonderful way to begin the cruise. We were blessed for the most part with fabulous weather which made our excursions, especially the walking tours, very pleasant. While on the ship we were able to meet many of our fellow passengers and enjoyed socializing with them. The entertainment on the ship was fabulous too! For example, the four young people who performed for example, the Abba Medley were outstanding as was our talented cruise director, the pianist, guitarist, and string duo and Viking Band and singers. The atmosphere on the ship was so pleasant that when sea days occurred, it was a pleasure just to stay on the ship. Guest services was extremely helpful, not to mention friendly. We felt we could go there for any concern. The Viking Sky is a well designed ship and I particularly appreciate the fa that it is a smaller ship than some ocean liners who carry thousands of passengers. In summary, the Itinerary was terrific and the luxury of the ship, friendliness of the crew made this the most memorable of my cruises thus far. I would highly recommend this cruise to family and friends. Read Less

Travel agent suggested Viking. Not disappointed at all. Great time with cabin steward, Jaya, to waiters and kitchen staff, and bar staff. Anything we needed or asked was delivered or answered right away. We got to know some of the waiters - great sense of humour and great memories! Tour guides were very knowledgeable. Highlights for me were the Russian ballet - Swan Lake - and a kayaking tour. The Port Talks were great as arranged by Heather Clancy and Javier, then Tiago. So much information was given. The Quiet Vox headsets were an asset when they were working! I missed half of two tour talks when they quit - one on a tour with a local guide who had no way to zap it. We went to several lectures with excellent speakers - one was the history of Faberge eggs, another was about the Romanovs. Music nights were very well done - Beatle songs, Abba. Great entertainment. Read Less

We chose Viking, because of the ships being smaller and less passengers. It makes it easier to run into guest that you’ve made friends over the course of the trip, also no long line ups for the restaurants or for the shore excursions. They offer all types of shore excursions to meet all expectations of the passengers, from ones that need easy access to those that are there to see as much as possible. The staff are vary friendly and are constantly asking what they can do to help in making the cruise more comfortable. Our cabin staff where always asking what else we needed and kept the room spotless and when ever they passed in the hallway, they always stopped to talk. The maintenance staff are constantly cleaning and maintaining the ship inside and out, so they are obviously proud of their ship. Dining was superb, with options that will satisfy any body’s taste. I would definitely choose Viking again. Read Less

While we still like Oceania there were a number of areas that fell short of our expectations on this past cruise. Food – Over all we found the food on this trip was not as good as our prior two trips on Marina and Riviera. The Bouillabaisse in Jacques was not good at all.. No mussels, no clams, no fennel (I don’t think) and no broth. It was pasty, more like a sauce that I would expect in a cioppino. They later brought a sole that was very good, and my wife ate some as well as she didn’t care much for her Lobster (sort of an au gratin in the tail shell) definitely prepared, frozen and reheated. Also the “steamed“ lobster in one of the other restaurants was poor. Also appeared reheated. I should have thought (they don’t have fresh lobster on board) so don’t order. However, I should not have to think though how they provision food. I am kind of a do it right or don't do it type guy. Caesar salad at Jacques – Really very disappointing. They should skip the table side preparation and have someone in kitchen that knows how to make Caesar. What a waste of arm waving. The oil and vinegar cart is a wasted effort as well. Why go through all the trouble of selecting oils and vinegars only to use it on a poor excuse for bread. I couldn’t find decent bread so basically didn’t use it. We were spoiled by three days in Copenhagen before the cruise where breads were unbelievable. Why can’t Oceania provide one or two good breads. Oh and skip the logo on the bun. Sole in Pollo grill was very good as it was in Jacques – that is as good as the Sea Bass in Red Ginger in my opinion. If you like fish get the Sole. Second time I had mine whole (not deboned) which was even better. The buffet is almost always great. The prime rib I had there one night was the best in my memory. Thought the German dinner fell short as did others. Sauerkraut tasted like warmed up canned sauerkraut (why bother) and the German potato salad was very weak. The sausages were OK and the pork hock was dry (best to cook with the kraut). Many of the pork dishes were dry and I couldn’t eat them. I cook a lot of pork and it need not be dry. The should skip the German dinner or improve it. Coffee in buffet was not good. Very disappointing. We drink a lot of coffee and appreciate good coffee. This was not good. Weak but bitter. Don’t recall having problem with the coffee in the past. Did they go to lower cost bean? I thought the evening selections in buffet were better on our past two trips and we ate there every night except for our specialty nights which is typical. The main dining room is nothing special unless you simply want someone to bring food to you. Housekeeping – housekeeping was hit and miss. The veranda door was unlocked a couple times after they organized the deck furniture. One time they left no floor mat in bathroom. Only one bar of soap to be used for sink, shower and tub (really?). I had to keep asking for coke which is very unlike all other cruise experiences. Normally they figure it out. There were dirty coffee cups and half full dirty glasses (like maybe we wanted to drink something from yesterday?) Music – We like to dance and there were a number of other couples who also like ballroom dancing. The music of the showband was too long for dancing (maybe 6 to 8 minutes) and much of their music was not danceable (very slow or very fast tempo). Although we were there every night for 2 hours or more, we danced much less than past Oceania cruises. The other band didn’t even seem to know what ballroom was but at least their pieces were a little shorter and if you asked them to play something, they would but not always in appropriate tempo. Past cruises the bands seem to catch on to what we like within a couple days and played great music the rest of the cruise. This time it was challenging. Waite Staff – It seemed there was a different staff in the lounge every night and we were there from 5:00 to 7:30 pretty much every night. In the past within days staff knew us and knew what we wanted and took care of us. Cunard cruise a couple months ago they also knew who we were and the same servers were there and came to our table as we walked in. Very noticeable difference. On Marina this time it seemed very disorganized. There was also a lot of pitching of special wine and vodka and caviar sessions from the servers. Don’t recall that in the past. Felt we were being pressured to “sign up” for this or that. Lectures by Phil Smart – The ones we were able to attend were fantastic. So informative about things that are not in the main-stream news. Good job. We would book almost any cruise just to listen to him. Summary – The itinerary was great and fellow passengers were great but the ship experience has us thinking of giving other lines a try which we weren’t sure we would do. We really do like the size of the Marina and Riviera but right now we feel as though we are not getting what we are paying for. Read Less

Cruise and excursion GOT-004 12:30pm – 4:30pm in Gothenburg, Sweden, cost $179.00 per person was terrible. It was a total waste of our day which we cannot get back. We departed around 12:45 pm and arrived at our first stop Skarhamn at 2:00 pm. We were allotted 20 minutes at this stop and used the time to wait in line for a restroom. Nothing open at this stop except the one restaurant we used for the restroom. Next stop was Kladesholmen. This is a residential resort area with nothing to see except a sea view. We walked to a church (which was not open) for a photo op. Back to the bus for the ride back to the ship. The tour guide (who made sure we all knew she hated the Norwegians) didn't even have anything of interest to point out along the highway except for 4 smoke stacks that were no longer in use and a Volvo factory. I can't believe Oceania would even have such an extremely poor excursion. The four hour excursion had approximately 45 minutes off the bus the rest of time it was mostly highway driving. Back on the ship my wife and I encountered a large group (about 20 other people) who were waiting for the Destination desk to open to complain about this terrible excursion and request a refund. We filled out a Shore Excursion Guest Tour Report. Two days later (last night of cruise) we finally heard back from the main office in Florida and were denied a refund. Other issues were staff shortages in all eating establishments. They are running around trying to keep up with everyone regardless of the venue. The food was always warm and rarely hot except for the soup which was always hot. The one person that was of great help to us was the Concierge on Marina Ray Kucharski. We can't say enough good things about him. This was our third and will be our final cruise on Oceania. We spoke to others who feel the same as it appears Oceania has gone downhill since bring purchased by Norwegian. Won't be cruising or recommending Oceania again. It is sad as it used to be exceptionally great in all areas. Read Less

We chose this cruise because of the itinerary. We always wanted to visit St Petersburg. Also we had been on a Viking River cruise and were impressed with ship and service. The Viking Sea crew are superb the service was excellent. One tip if the Hermitage museum is important to you, book a private tour. Our group included folks with mobility issues difficulty with stairs etc. Although Viking made it clear there was lots of walking and stairs. Also the museum was very crowded and a couple of our group members drifted off. The tour guide wasted time looking for them. So overall this highlight was a disappointment As was Vikings practice of handing out plastic bottles of water to every guest at each stop. Therefore thousands of plastic bottles left behind in ports and busses to end up who knows where. A great disappointment for a company who claim to be concerned about the environment. Easy fix to provide reusable bottles. Be aware that the average age (on ours anyway) was about 70. Just a few younger people and likely not s good cruise for singles. Although there are 850 + guests on board there was always space for a quiet read and or drink. Apart from breakfast in the World cafe, never felt over crowded. Read Less

We chose the cruise because of the variety of excellent ports of call. It was our first Viking cruise, and we were very impressed by the beauty of the ship, the attention to detail, the variety of food choices and restaurants, and caring staff. Every port was different, and every one worth visiting. We were impressed by the quality of excursions offered, whether included or extra. Each was led by a knowledgeable tour leader, and both informative and enjoyable. The lectures were all excellent, and the speakers knowledgeable about the varied subjects. We enjoyed The Explorer’s Lounge...a perfect place to relax before dinner or enjoy the sunset. Our room was comfortable and very well maintained by our excellent and caring cabin steward.. we never wanted for anything. We enjoyed the restaurants, the variety of food, and the ability to decide where and when we would have our meals. We chose to extend our vacation..both before and after the cruise. Both hotels we stayed in were very good, as were the Viking representatives in the hotel lobby. Well done, Viking! Read Less

We chose this cruise as a way to spend some time with dear friends. The primary driver was the itinerary, but we were also looking for a ship that would not overwhelm us with vast numbers of people and activities as the primary attractions were the destinations. The ship was wonderful as were the people serving us. Our cabin attendants were exceptional and the food and service throughout the ship were fantastic. We ate at all the restaurants on board and without exception I can say the quality was excellent, the best I have ever had on any previous cruise with other companies. There was plenty to do each day of the trip and always easy to find a private space to enjoy the journey. We really enjoyed the included tours and they were all expertly organized and completed on time. We will definitely return for another cruise in the future. Read Less

This trip was highly recommended by family and friends who had already been on this trip. It was everything they said it would be and more! The overall experience was world class exceptional! The visit to 8 countries and 11 ports was amazing. The tours were done by educated, experienced, well- spoken tour guides who provided a wealth of information. They gave us a glimpse of life for each country visited. There was a lot of fast paced walking so this trip is not for those with ambulatory issues. We loved every port and country we went to. The Viking ship, Sea, was the perfect size to get in and out of all the ports and waterways. It was beautiful and had much to offer. Our room was spacious, newly updated, great amenities and very comfortable. The food was world class. The variety of restaurant choices was perfect and each venue had great choices. The staff were very personable, funny, provided for every need. Allen and Dickie, our cabin stewards were exceptional at their job. They were very personable, respected our routine and privacy and provided what we needed. The entire shipboard staff were exceptional. I highly recommend using Viking Air to arrange flights. Perfect flight arrangements. Everything was well coordinated and organized from Viking. The trip was very costly but worth it! Read Less

I was highly disappointed with this cruise. We had a wonderful river cruise with Viking; this was no where near the quality. The food was so-so. I had trouble finding options for gluten free, especially at lunch. Service was great, though. The included excursions were a joke. Most of them were just bus rides. Sometimes, we were just left to explore on our own. I expected much higher quality tours. I was also very upset that by the time we were allowed to schedule tours, most morning included tours were full. The extra excursions that we took were very good, although not always as described. The cabin was good. The entertainment was mediocre with a few exceptions. The elvis show was great. Activities in the morning were almost non-existent--that after not being able to schedule included tours in the morning. I am not a night person. The new ship was wonderful, so clean. Embarkation and disembarkation went smoothly. If I travel with Viking on an ocean cruise again, I probably will not schedule any included tours. Read Less

We chose Cunard because we wanted a classic cruise experience, a formal atmosphere, and an excellent itinerary. Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth took us above the Arctic Circle in absolute style. Embarkation was easy and we were on the ship in a timely manner. We loved our forward balcony cabin (but we choose forward because we love ship movement when we sleep). The stateroom was beautiful and our steward was excellent. I cannot say enough about how much we liked our forward balcony. We participated in fencing classes, which we loved. We also thought the history lectures were outstanding. They enhanced our experience so much. The ship is gorgeous and serene, just what we wanted. It was peaceful and lovely. The Britannia main dining room was very delicious at dinner. We had a wonderful sommelier and good wait staff. Only one time did we receive an item of food that was not to our taste, but it was quickly replaced with a delicious option. Most of the drinks options were outstanding, in our opinion. Some people complain about the cost of drinks on here... but we found them well crafted and interesting. The MARY ROSE in the Midships Lounge is a truly lovely drink. We also loved the atmosphere and view in the Commodore Club. The aft deck drinks menu is fun for sailaways. The only drinks we were disappointed in was the regular complimentary coffee. For such a beautiful cruise, the complimentary coffee is not great. (It should be better, honestly) We ended up buying some specialty coffees at Cafe Carinthia, which were lovely- but for those is us who like coffee (coffee snobs) the regular coffee should be improved. We were also not overly impressed with the Lido buffet. The food was fast and convenient, especially for breakfast... but we have experienced better buffets on other lines in design and in taste. It is another area that could be improved in our opinion. The only other gripe we had with Cunard is internet. The internet needs to be brought to modern cruise standards. If the other lines can do so well with unlimited plans, so can Cunard. Many cruise passengers must use internet to keep in touch with family and with their business dealings. Back to wonderful comments... Our itinerary with Cunard to Norway was amazing, the nature was breathtaking, and our experience above the Arctic Circle was magical. Most of the ports we chose to independently rent cars, use public transportation, or hike. We did take two Cunard sponsored excursions, though... and both tours were well worth it. (It must be noted that this is our second trip to Norway- with the first being a land trip... we were prepared to drive in Norway since we did it before- which can be challenging.) We enjoyed the special guest entertainment brought into the theatre and the live musicians around the ship very much. Overall, Cunard was fantastic. I would absolutely take another cruise with them. Read Less

We have been on six river cruises, five by Viking, and wanted to see if the Ocean cruise by Viking would measure up. Scandinavia was one of the last places we had not visited, and this was a chance to see a lot of it in one trip. The ship design was perfect; ergonomically, visually, seaworthiness. Our cabin was always clean and had plenty of room, even excess of storage! The cabin stewards always greeted us by name when we saw them, and all our requests were dealt with quickly, and with a smile. I am even more amazed with the food. How can you prepare 14 dinner menus without repeating much of it? Lettuce was fresh, fruit was fresh, bread was fresh. We were fortunate to get to use the private rooms for dining for our group of eight, and the service was personal and expeditious. The entertainment was ok. The four singers did not do a great job. The cruise director and her assistant were the most entertaining, even when singing! Departure was surprisingly wonderful. I have never been on a cruise that handled the departure, luggage, portage as well as Viking. Read Less

The Viking Homelands cruise was selceted based upon the itinerary and especially the end point of the cruise-Stockholm. This cruise was perfect perfect in all respects and everything went like clock work. Embarkation was quick and most efficient. The ship was immaculate in all respects.- minimalist in design and very Scandinavian decor. Ample space on this vessel for a place to seek out a quite place to enjoy the cruise. Sure nice NOT to have children, casinos and bingos. As for the food-plenty of choices and the 3 speciality restaurants. Really enjoyed The Chef's Table with their speciality themed menus. As for the food served on board-we were very astounded with the selections, and quality of the food. Far beyond our expections. Staff always made sure everyone was very pleased. Granted the entertainment on board was not your broadway show productions, however, Viking has very talented musicians on staff and they provided very enjoyable programs. Shore excursions always went off without issues. Viking provides excursions that will appeal to almost everyone and we were not disappointed. All in all, this was a most famous cruise and would sail with Viking Ocean again. The only question is which cruise to select. Read Less

I chose this cruise because it went everywhere I wanted to go - especially Norway and Berlin. What I didn't know was how blown away I would be by the the actual process of cruising. The ship was smaller than many cruise ships but had everything we needed or could possibly want. The cabin was roomy. The veranda was wonderful for watching the world go by, especially when leaving port. The dining was incredible. My husband and I mostly went to the World Cafe. Day after day, I was able to find something to eat despite my dietary limitations. I loved the afternoon teas. I only wish I could have gone more often. I can't say enough about the wait staff. They were so friendly and got to know me because I was always down there getting iced tea. I didn't know what to expect for the entertainment but it was way above average. I must say that Elvis had to be my favorite. He is alive and sailing the seas on Viking. We also enjoyed the excursions into the various ports we stopped at. Highlights were the trips into St. Petersburg, Russia, Berlin, Germany and Bergen, Norway. We did not travel with children, this was an 18 and over cruise. I would say that unless they really were into travel, I would not even bring teenagers on this cruise. Would I go again? Well, not a repeat of this cruise but there is no question that we will be traveling again with Viking. Read Less

Friends really wanted to do a Viking Baltic Cruise and I went along. We arrived in Stockholm two nights before departure and had time to stroll around the city on our own which was a great thing to do. Boarding the ship was a simple process as was disembarkation on the last day. The ship itself is beautiful, simply but comfortably decorated and the rooms were nice and roomy. I loved the Atrium area on the first and second floor with it’s cozy seating in small groups to either read, listen to the great musicians, play a game or just relax with friends in a homey and intimate atmosphere. The staff was wonderful, so caring, so helpful and so friendly. We felt like family and were sorry to leave them behind at the end. The entertainment each evening was something we looked forward to and they were very talented people. It was nice to see them throughout the ship and be able to chat with them. I loved the shore excursions and how well organized they were. Finding our group was a simple process that took little time and soon we’d be on our way with knowledgeable local guides to tell us about the places we were visiting. The only exception was the guide Ursula we had in Copenhagen. She was not very forthcoming and only gave the minimum of explanations and could not answer the questions various guests asked. All the others were excellent. I believe that for some reason, we were sent to her group despite having originally been assigned to a different group, perhaps because her group was smaller and this was meant to even things out in the end. I wished we could have been in our original group as she seemed very informative at the start before we were reassigned. I had to visit the clinic and was so impressed with their caring and efficiency. The female nurse was particularly wonderful and knowledgeable, but unfortunately I can’t remember her name. The staff at the excursions desk on the first deck were ever so helpful and so accommodating, always available without too much of a wait if at all. Mostly someone was available as one arrived to ask a question or change a booking. And the food! So wonderful and tasty both in the main restaurant and on the 7th deck. My one comment would be perhaps offering suggestions for hearth healthy items. I did find the food very rich, particularly in the Restaurant, and portions of vegetables with the main courses could have been larger. Vegetables seemed to be a decorative item on the plate. I enjoyed my lunches more because on the 7th deck, I could chose more vegetables and fruit and smaller portions of protein and rich foods. Probably in the Restaurant, it was geared more to American tastes where they eat fewer vegetables and larger amounts of protein and rich foods. But I ate there every night because of the service. I absolutely loved my cruise! Read Less

We chose biking Ocean cruise because we traveled on 5 other Viking Rivet Cruises. The staff make you feel comfortable from the moment you step on the ship. Availability of restaurants, variation of menus and service were outstanding attributes of the food and beverages. We were able to schedule a cooking class and tour of the food prep area. All was terrific. Access to fitness center was always available. Making connections on all tours and excursions were well planned and staff prepared guests on what to expect and what to bring with us each day. The entertainment provided was excellent and for our age group, heather clancy made our trip exceptional and with the 4 entertainers made the evening presentations a night to remember. Locating our ship and making connections by air was consistently on time and without flaws. Viking did everything we hoped for and more when traveling with them abroad. I highly recommend Viking Ocean cruises and River cruises Read Less

Desire to visit the Northern Europe countries. We have visited many parts of the world but never the Northern Europe area. Being older the cruise was an excellent way to travel. Do not have to constantly pack and repack your belonging as you move from site to site. The excursions at each of the ports gave you the opportunity to see many different sites. The local guides were very good and gave you all kinds of local information. The service on the ship was outstanding. Variation of food was very good and the multiple restaurants gave you the opportunity to choose what you wanted to eat. Only problem encountered was the airplane return trip. United Airlines had a 5 hour delay at the Amsterdam airport switch that was handled extremely poorly. It will be a long time before I ever choose to fly with United Airlines. All other services and problems were handled very well by Viking Read Less