The cruise to the Amazon is an excellent cruise, although there are a lot of at sea days. So bear in mind that Viking does not have large shows, casinos, or a lot of shops. But that said, the Viking Sea is a very nice ship which is well designed and has enough open spaces so that you never really feel crowded (except during port talks where the entire ship tries to show up in the Star Theater). As usual, the Viking experience is very good. Their policy of unlimited wine and other drinks at meals is very good. Dinner at the chef's table (changes every 3 day) is not to be missed. Those dinners include a wine partnering with 4 wines per meal. Given their standard policy, you really have to drink a lot to justify the beverage package. Manfredi's is very good but not exceptional Italian fare. The ability to eat in the standard restaurant, the World Cafe, or in your room (all with similar menus) really makes Viking a good deal (that and there are no formal nights - only collared shirts and no jeans required for men in the restaurants make it perfect), Read Less

Viking Sea staff were all friendly, welcoming and went out of their way to give us the best experience possible. We ate most meals at the World Café where the menu changed daily and always provided plenty of delicious options for a variety of tastes. TIP: Be sure to look at both sides of the café serving stations as although most food items are the same, there are a couple of differences eg; one side has ice cream and sushi while the other side has pizza and salad bar. Also ate some lunches at the Pool Grill - great hamburgers & hot dogs! 24 hour room service is also a great feature The included shore excursions were all well organised and enjoyable. Itinerary took us to a different island every day with no sea days which suited us really well. Plenty of common spaces throughout the ship so never felt crowded, no lines anywhere, heaps of room for all on board. Overall beautiful ship and facilities but AMZING staff that made all the difference. Read Less

We were on the West Indies Explorer cruise and enjoyed every port- no sea days. This was good because they closed all of the pools, hot tubs, steam room, ice grotto, sports courts, locker rooms, and self serve buffet for over one third of the cruise due to an outbreak of the norovirus. No raw sushi or smoked salmon either. This was very disappointing but understandable in order for them to try to stop the spread of the virus. However, we paid for a fairly expensive cruise with the expectation of a wonderful (included) spa experience everyday. The ice grotto, steam room, spa pool, hot tub, and warmed loungers were a huge factor in our decision to choose Viking. Didn't happen. We asked if they were going to give the passengers any sort of reimbursement for for this major reduction in amenities and the answer was a big NO. Sadly, our last cruise with Viking. The food at all of the restaurants was hit or miss. No variation in the breakfast menu at the Restaurant (except for the lack of smoked salmon) was disappointing. On the bright side, it is a beautiful ship with amazing staff who are always there for you. A big shout out to Sing, our server at the Restaurant, who kept us laughing and knew what we wanted to order before we did. The same goes for Denny at the Infinity Pool bar. Read Less

We chose the West Indies Cruise for several reasons: dates, ports, weather, and our love of Everything Viking! Our ship was a small cruising ship with 930 people and no children. Don’t get us wrong, we love children but prefer traveling without them. The Viking Sea is beautiful and we were proud to be a part of the journey. Extremely clean, well appointed, with incomparable service is the hallmark of all Viking cruises. No matter where we chose to explore on the ship, we never felt it to be crowded. There are so many great spots; we enjoyed the Living Room, Atrium, Spa, pool, Mamsen’s for coffee and sweets and more. We loved our penthouse veranda! We sat on the veranda as the ship quietly left each port, admiring the undeniable beauty around us. Then we would proceed to dinner where we had a choice of 4 places to dine. Service was always the best and presentation of the food was so appealing. We ate and drank wine and felt like celebrities! The buffet area was excellent with numerous choices and all were delicious. Of interest is as one enters any restaurant, there are beautiful shiny sinks to wash hands, which we thought was great!! My husband enjoyed the pool side burgers, fries and onion rings for lunch. Desserts were amazing and we wanted to eat all of them!!! My husband loved the ice cream bar as well! The entertainment was perfect for us! Piano music was lovely along with the 4 singers we listened to many times; and there were strings, movies,dancing, educational talks and more! As for shore excursions - we went on almost all of them - they were breathtaking. So many gorgeous islands with beauty everywhere. My husband went snorkeling and we went to the mineral springs, and of course looked 10 years younger in the days ahead!!! Also, embarkation & disembarkation went very smooth. Security was also excellent. We would definitely travel to the West Indies again and always with Viking. Read Less

We chose to travel on the Viking Sea (10 day cruise) from San Juan, Puerto Rico to San Juan, Puerto Rico, because we liked the look of the itinerary, and the fact that it has been voted the top cruise line for the last 4 years. We were amazed by the ship on embarking. It is a stunning, beautiful ship decorated in a Scandinavian style. Our first reaction was that this was going to be a wonderful cruise. Unfortunately, it all went down hill from there. For an expensive 6* cruise line the cabins are tight and drawer space is at a premium. When comparing the cabins to Azamara for example they do not seem any bigger, although the bathrooms are a significant improvement. I am guessing that they have improved the bathroom size at the expense of draw space in the cabin. We like to eat on deck under the stars. This facility was not available on board the Viking Sea, unless one ate at the back of the ship adjoining the buffet restaurant. However, in this case there is no waiter service. Guests had to take food from the buffet. Service around the pool deck was almost non existent until I complained. It was then significantly improved. In addition the service outside at the back of the ship was also poor. Sometimes it was impossible to find a waiter, but at other times it was better. Most of the sun loungers around the pool deck have no mattresses, and the towels are very small. They cover the upright back of the lounger, and possibly a third of the horizontal part of the seat. They are grossly uncomfortable and I am sure contributed to a back problem I currently have. The policy on the ship seems to be to close the roof on the sun deck at the merest hint of rain. The temperatures in the Caribbean hover at around 30 c and closing the roof for no very good reason serves to make the conditions on deck almost intolerable. I can only assume that they are scared of getting the deck wet. In the main the food offering is very good. However, one of the specialist restaurants (Chef’s Table - Asian Fusion), we found very challenging. There is no choice - it is a fixed menu. Although it is changed every three days. We ate there twice, and on both occasions found that there were courses we could not eat. The entertainment was meagre. There were no outside entertainers. There were just 3 production shows, the cruise director doing an Elvis impersonation, and the Assistant cruise director doing a show (she was superb). Other entertainment was the Super Bowl (not very interesting to non- Americans), and a televised Oscar ceremony. Turandot was shown two days running, and 2 other films. Really, it was all rather poor. Around the ship was a classical string duo, and a classical pianist. Most of the time the music took on a funereal quality. The result was the lounges were very often empty or near empty. In fact we often said the ship felt a little like a ghost ship. There was also a guitarist. On him I can make no comment as I never heard him play. Apart from enrichment lectures, and trivia quizzes held rather bizarrely at 20.15, no other on board activities were offered. There is no card room or organised or disorganised bridge. We asked at guest relations if they could provide us with some playing cards. All they were able to come up with was an old pack held together with a rubber band, and a non matching set of picture cards. We were also told that we would have to sign for these - mind boggling. The crew were very friendly and smiling. There were simply not sufficient. Viking runs their ship with approx 2 guests to 1 crew member. Other lines with similar reputations have between 1.5 and 1.7 crew per guest. This probably is the main cause for the service difficulties we encountered. We have travelled on Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, Azamara, and Oceania. All comparable products. Unfortunately, Viking does not meet the standards of its competitors, and feels like it is being run on the cheap. Read Less

We were thinking of cruising for a while and very hesitant about small spaces and too many people, etc. Good friends highly recommended Viking Cruises, so we researched the line and liked what we found. We wanted warm breezes in February, and chose the West Indies Explorer cruise beginning in Puerto Rico. We were greeted with sunshine and smiles. All the Viking staff were so happy and upbeat, we were made to feel at home immediately. The Viking Sea was spectacular, so well appointed with many areas to relax and enjoy the views. We loved the piano in the Atrium, the lectures, the onboard shops and the specialtyrestaurants, to name a few. We were invited to a mix and mingle event where we were greeted by officers of the ship and other cruise critic members with cocktails and appetizers. It was great to meet other cruisers as well as the officers. We had a lovely evening. Every day the cruise director presented an overview about the next port which was so informative and got you excited to see the next stop. The Food and the service was exceptional. We enjoyed fine dining in the Speciality restaurants and the main dining room,. If we felt like a more casual evening, the buffet was fabulous. The food was delicious and abundant. We are already planning our next adventure, perhaps we will sail on a river cruise. Thanks to all for making our first cruise so wonderful. Read Less

We chose this cruise to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. Previously have had three cruises with Cunard. This fared better for us as there were no formal nights. Had two nights at the Chefs table and two at Manfredi’s an Italian themed restaurant. The food and service was excellent in every respect including the buffet restaurant. Dining outside at the Aquavit was particularly enjoyable and the themed evenings were a bonus where the chefs cooked outside. The ship is very modern and very tastefully adorned with its Viking theme. It was unobtrusively cleaned to a high standard. Our stateroom was pristine at all times. All staff were courteous, friendly and professional at all times. As soon as we arrived at San Juan Airport we were met by Viking staff who kept us fully informed of the procedure for embarkation and we had the same experience when it came time to leave. The entertainment in the theatre was excellent, we particularly liked the ABBA and Beatles themed evenings. There was also a classical pianist and a violin duo, both very competent and played alternatively in the Atrium. This was adjacent a bar where you could either sit and talk or relax in lounge seating and listen to their music. Dancing under the stars and the Steel band were both thoroughly enjoyable. A very good range of excursions was on offer. All professionally executed. What we particularly liked was that the ship was not too large, there were no casinos, no children under 18, no gratuities, excursions included and the silver drinks package. We enjoyed this cruise immensely and have no hesitation in recommending Viking to our friends. Read Less

We had been thinking about a Caribbean cruise for some time and the timing, ship, and itinerary were just what we wanted. The ship was perfect; smaller and more intimate than our previous cruise ships with well thought out lounge areas and bars for pre and post dinner relaxation. Excellent food and service in the restaurants and plenty of sun-beds both on the decks and around the pools with bar staff bringing around iced water, just what we needed! The catamaran cruises were expensive but worth the money, however, the two beach trips (Barbados and Tortola) were not what we would expect and let the ship down. The Barbados beach trip in particular was around $70 each to spend around 2 hours rammed together where access to the 'beach club' for the whole day was around $20; someone made a lot of money out of that trip! In the World cafe at breakfast, the cafe seems to be geared towards American tourists,who are the majority, but it would be nice to be offered tea at the tables, as well as coffee; we usually had to get our own. Also, the hot water for the tea in the jugs needs to be refreshed frequently as the water needs to be nearly boiling to make tea properly. Finally, the pools were too warm to be really refreshing. Read Less

We chose the West Indian Explorer Cruise with Viking because it stopped at nine beautiful ports, only one of which we had seen before. Also, our previous Viking Rhine River Cruise was so great, we wanted to try Viking's Ocean cruises. We especially liked the fact all cabins have balconies, the ship is smaller (930 passengers), has no gambling, smoking or anyone under the age of 18 - makes for a very peaceful vacation. Viking provides an included on-shore excursion at each port included in the cruise price and those excursions do a much better job than other cruise lines of providing history, economic and political information. A wide variety of added cost excursions allow for a broader choice of things to do if the included excursion isn't to your taste. OK, the food was also wonderful and the entertainment was too - just bring ear plugs if you have tinnitus or sensitive hearing! Our only disappointments were the lack of dance floor space and the music tended to frenetic "club" dancing rather than "ballroom". The "Viking APP" only partly worked on my Android cell phone and the cruise hosts couldn't get it to work either so we weren't able to track our schedule and other events as well as we should have been able to. Most cruise ships have friendly staff, but Viking's staff hit a new high - not a frown the whole trip! In short - we would do this again in a heart-beat! PS - this questionnaire would not allow me to add a photo - just saying.... Read Less

We have been on Viking River Cruises and wanted to try an ocean one. We have done 2 Oceania Cruises before, which we loved. VIKING was as good and better in many ways. The ship is new and well designed to meet every need. We loved the fact that the cruise did not $100 you to death. Food, wine, WiFi, launderette, and Spa were included in the standard price , as well as one included excursion every day. There were 2 reservation only restaurants on the ship. A meal in each came with our cabin. You could dine again in either if there was space - at no additional charge. But The Restaurant, the main dining room was excellent. There were 2 of us traveling. We asked to be seated at a table of 6 with others and made new acquaintances who we saw throughout the cruise. The entertainment was exceptional; far better than expected! Read Less

I loved this Viking experience. Smaller ship, no photos, no casino and I'm sorry, but no children. It was what we needed (we're Seniors). The "free to everyone Spa" is amazing! The hot room, the ice bucket of water, the cold room, the big spa, the hot tub.... at first I thought I couldn't do it, but it was absolutely wonderful. The crew/staff was amazing beyond any expectations we had. Our dining experience could not have been better. Absolutely fabulous food - what a surprise from Princess and Carnival! Our waiter, Singh Untung Surya, Station 12, Table #151 made this cruise, OVER THE TOP. He was FABULOUS - the six of us that traveled together cannot say enough about what an amazing dining experience we had, with many, many accolades and thanks to Singh. He needs to be promoted or get a raise or something. Everyone that enjoyed the pleasure of being on one of his tables, all agreed, he is one very amazing person and a true asset to the Viking team. He made a huge difference to all of us! Way to go Singh....thank you for all you efforts to make this cruise extremely memorable for all of us! Read Less

We decided to escape winter for a bit and took our second Viking ocean cruise because of the great itinerary.....2 nights in Puerto Rico and a port a day. It didn't disappoint, with perfect weather. We had included bus transfer from our hotel to the port, and the embarkation was the simplest ever....we walked up to a table and they gave us our room keys and tickets for our shore excursions. The ship is for adults, elegant and easy to explore. Our cabin was ready early and it already had our luggage in it. We had a deluxe veranda cabin on deck 4 and it was comfortable and spotless. There is a lack of drawer space, but the bathroom is very spacious. Our cabin attendant, Michael, was unobtrusive but was always there for us if we needed anything. I loved the soft, squishy pillows but my husband wanted a firmer one, and it was provided almost immediately. The breakfast and lunch buffets had a varied assortment of food and the pool grill had good burgers and a salad bar. We ate dinner most nights in The Restaurant and the food was uniformly good. It was especially nice having a destination menu every night. The service seemed more harried than our last cruise, it seems like they have less staff because our first 3 waiters didn't even have time to introduce themselves, talk about the food or check back with us. We finally found Singh and Azri, who were excellent. We had the beverage package, so the sommelier, Enea was very helpful and knowledgeable making recommendations from the premium wines. We ate 2 nights at the Chef's Table and both meals and wine pairings were delicious. Mamsen's during the day has delicious desserts. The entertainers on-board were all talented, especially the Viking Band and the guitar player Pablo. We would listen to them every night in Torshavn and they played a wide range of music with no repeats in their set-lists, unless they had a request. It was fantastic not hearing the same songs over and over. They were some of the most talented musicians we've seen and really made the cruise for us. The optional shore excursions were fun, especially the Secret Sand Beach Break in St. Thomas. It was the one of the most relaxing, peaceful beaches we've been to. We like that there is a container for wet towels when you get back on-board and that water is provided as you leave the ship. We had an issue with one of our other shore excursions and it was resolved more than satisfactorily right away. We really appreciated the excellent customer service. We had a small Meet and Mingle in the Wintergarden and Viking did a great job. It was nice to meet so many officers and the appetizers and drinks were very tasty. The fitness center is very clean and the included spa saunas and pool and worth doing. The staff and service are what make Viking cruises so excellent. The people are helpful and friendly and we hated to leave them. We have 2 more ocean cruises booked with them. Read Less

We chose this cruise because we had enjoyed a previous holiday in the Caribbean and wanted to see more of it. From the moment we boarded Viking Sea, we felt that we were valued guests and we were really impressed with the focus on service. We received feedback requests and chose to respond. What really surprised us was that not only did we get a written reply but that it showed that the management had actually read what we had written. Throughout our cruise the level of service was excellent except on one occasion. That was resolved by the alert supervisor who made sure the issue was rectified - one of the key strengths of Viking is that their supervisors and managers are hands on and proactive rather than simply visible. The enrichment offered by the biologist was excellent. The “historian” was not a historian.The quizzes were very good and the music was lovely. The productions by the onboard team were very good. The food was excellent and we enjoyed the specialist dining; we found it easy to arrange what we wanted to do. As we had not been before we did the included shore excursions. Most of them were very good, the usual shopping opportunities were always included! The atmosphere on this cruise was delightful and we booked to go again with Viking. We have since done another cruise with another company and feel that although Viking are more expensive they offer excellent value by delivering excellent service. Read Less

The small size of the ship was a deciding factor. We wanted some winter sunshine.We wanted a ship where there was a choice of dining rooms and free seating. We enjoy dressing for dinner but not the formality of ‘black tie’ and also the the freedom to choose informal dining options. A private veranda was important to us. Viking offered all the things we thought were important to us. We loved the luxury, companionship, privacy and quiet times as well as times to participate in the entertainment, to listen to the daily port talks, music in the atrium and the musical concerts in the theatre. We were able to book tables at different restaurants before we set off as well as optional or additional tours. We chose two evenings at Manfredi’s and two at The Chef’s Table. There were always places to eat without a reservation. The World Cafe and the more formal Restaurant. This was our first ocean cruise and we didn’t get round to using all the facilities but did enjoy the spa, swimming pool and the Explorers Lounge. Read Less

We'd done it before - take a sisters' cruise with Viking, and it was one of the most remarkable experiences we've ever enjoyed. We were nearly blinded with joy by the simple elegance of the ship, the beauty of the Mediterranean, and the lavish attention of the staff entire. We loved the Lanai, delighted in the choices at The World Cafe, and tramped our way around ancient ruins and cobblestone streets. It was our first ever cruise, and we doubted we'd ever have the chance to do it again. But we did, this past December. We escaped the Christmas crazy on the 11th and set out for the West Indies. But this time we would do it differently. So we headed off with our red luggage tags, swim suits, sun screen, and a mental check list of the things we'd missed on our first cruise. Our first was at The Chef's Table, where the night's theme was La Route Des Indes featuring the unique flavors of the Carribean. Then one by one through our trip we hit all the food venues like Mamsen's, The Restaurant, the Aquavit Terrace, the Pool Grille, and The Wintergarden. Our checklist included the Spa in the evening, the Snow Grotto, the Explorer's Lounge at sunset, room service at dawn on our veranda, and more. We even picked up a few unexplored options in case we manage a next time. And we...relaxed. Sure, we took in the beaches, the yachts, the cliff top views, and tropical rain forests, but we took it in with time to enjoy life together. We talked with others who agreed that ship life with Viking is one of its most outstanding features. And when we returned, we were full of beautiful memories of exceptional food, magnificent islands, luxurious attention to detail, and so very many varieties of rum punch. Read Less

We thought all parts of the cruise were excellent. Even with the rough Caribbean waters, earthquake in San Juan and missing two ports because of the rough seas and wind it was a terrific trip! We have two additional scheduled with Viking and this being our test cruise with them convinced us we made a good decision to book more. We were on the Viking Sea with an Explorer Suite. The staff was very attentive, professional and provided great service to all. The dining was great but my only complaint would be that we missed the 90 day window to reserve one of the two specialty restaurants. We wanted to go to Manfredis three times but could not get in. The Chefs Table was good but you had a limited choice of food options. Although the food was very good i wish they would put a steakhouse or similar to provide more specialty options. The main restaurant was terrific and provided some of the other options for beef but again it was limited. The excursions Viking provided were walking tours but were very good and the guides were all very professional. The chosen ports were well thought out and gave us a good look at the southern Caribbean islands. We will not hesitate to recommend and use Viking well into the future. There is really a benefit only having 950 people with over 500 staff compared to 4000-6000 with 1500 staff! Read Less

Escaping Illinois in January was a great plan! Unfortunately, the ocean was a bit angry and we could not dock at the first 2 ports. Additionally, excursions were cancelled because of weather. The Viking Sea is a beautiful vessel and the staff could not have been better. We enjoyed having a choice of restaurants, multiple bar locations, a luxurious spa and plenty of books for borrowing. Having an included tour at each location was a very convenient way to get the overall picture of each island. We found the tours that we were able to take were equal to or more than what we expected. Viking ocean cruises include a lot of things that are extra on other cruises. And, they were very prompt in refunding the money for cancelled excursions to our shipboard account. Our Cruise Critic meet and mingle reception was very nice. It was a good time to meet and visit with other cruisers. Read Less

We chose this cruise explicitly because there were no “at sea days”. We chose Viking because of stellar reviews with no casinos nor children. Being a very new boat, just 4 or 5 years old added to the allure. The airfare (which was included right from Victoria) was a bonus. Connections were in the acceptable range, but actual flights were hardly direct. It took 24 hrs pretty well both ways door to cabin door & back - very long. The boat itself was near perfection. Very clean and extremely well kept. Crew was exemplary in almost every way. The organization of the entire cruise was near to flawless. The food was exceptional, and all the restaurants (not cafeteria) were very well managed. Very limited wait times for seating & service were always acceptable. The stateroom, penthouse balcony, was spacious & well thought out. The head was lovely - only room for 1 person at a time, but that was to be expected. I thought the balcony was a little small, but still offered us lovely moments to enjoy the sea air & magnificent views. The included excursions were informative, didn’t love the giant coach drives, but they had their good points. Most of the optional excursions were terrific. Especially the catamaran trips. On the downside weather became a problem right from the cast-off. We left a few hours behind schedule which could have been an issue with our 1st port of call, however that became moot when we couldn’t even dock at our 1st port of call. Nor the 2nd one! All other ports were achieved. Another weather issue disallowed us to experience our most highly anticipated excursion. This was further exasperated when my husband & I got separated when I returned on board after the cancellation of our excursion to unload our gear, only to be denied at the gangway to leave the vessel as it was about to be repositioned. We were given inaccurate information as to a timely disembarkation notification. Many of us were very upset not knowing how long this would take. It took over an hour for us to reunite, almost ruining our ability to see any or much of the island. The crew worked hard to try to correct anything they possible could - that must be said. My only negative comments regarding the food & beverage aspect would be the World Cafe, & the overburdened Wintergarden. Workers could not seem to keep up with busing tables every time we went there. In the Cafe we sat at dirty or unset tables in order to have a meal. Drinks also either took a long time to get or there was no table service apparent. I went to the bar to get our alcoholic beverages each time we went there except once. Ted talks were well liked as were various cinema or theatre activities. I will try to go on another Viking Cruise for sure, however I cannot say the same for my husband. Read Less

We love the cuisine offered in terms of variety and quality. We love being cared for as if we were part of the family. Because the ships are so new, everything about our cabin was first class, new and surprisingly spacious. We felt that we could have lived there for more than the 11 days we traveled in total comfort. The Living Room became a second hangout place for us, with a place to get snacks, a drink or hear live music while we read and enjoyed the ambiance. Dancing was available in the lounge, and the band was great. Nightly variations with solo band members on an instrument, or the classical duo, were our style. Frankly, the shore excursions may have been great, but we went on this cruise to experience the ship ... so we didn't focus on those opportunities. That was our choice ... we had been to some of the islands before, so that was not our priority. Because we were met at the airport and delivered directly to the ship, we had a smooth embarkation experience. The disembarkation experience was ... different. We were bussed to a nearby hotel, and waited there for hours (as guests of Viking with sandwiches, cookies, beverages) to be bussed to the airport. As it turned out, that was a good thing because there was not a lot of amenities at the San Juan airport. However, several busses at a time, and waiting to board and load, were not ideal for my difficulty with walking and standing for a long time. It was, all considered, probably as good as it could be. The hotel (the San Juan Hilton) wasn't all I expected a Hilton to be, but that is not the fault of Viking. It is near the port, and their meeting rooms were clean and serviceable. We would go again in a heartbeat. We would not take our friends who think that the ideal ship is the 6,000 passenger big boat because they want a balcony overlooking the INSIDE of the ship, and 3 or 4 Broadway shows to choose from every night. So this was just what we wanted to experience in every way, but it is not for everyone. Read Less

We have been on other cruises but since we went on our first cruise with Viking we have been on 3 others and have booked 2 more with Viking. The service on the ship is wonderful especially the people who took care of our rooms. The rooms were always kept clean. They made sure we always have clean towels. They always supplied us with limes and ice for our drinks at the time we requested. We enjoyed that we do not have certain times for any meals except the specialty dinners. We could choose a table for 2, 4, or six people for each meal. This way we were able to meet new people but enjoy sometime just enjoy ourselves when we wanted to. Service on the Caribbean Cruises could use some organization. Service can be a little slow sometimes. On our travels we have done 2 Caribbean cruises with Viking and this has been an issue that we do not have on their European Ocean cruises. We love that there is no photographer constantly taking pictures and then try selling to you. My husband and I enjoy history we love how Viking has historians on the area. We always something new on the cruise along with the excursions we take. I like that Viking offers one free excursion at each stop that gives you a general knowledge of what the stops have to offers. This gives you the ability to go off on your own to view your own interests you may have like taking a look at a museum instead of just one spot. Read Less

We like the smaller ships. You get to know people and really are a part of it. The Viking Sea had so many wonderful quiet spots where you could sit and read, play games or just watch the world go by. We did miss two of our ports because of high seas and some people got a little sea sick but over all it was a great cruise. The ports were interesting and somewhat varied. The dining room and specialty restaurants were fantastic. The crew was so attentive. Our cabin stewards were the best. We were quite amazed at the quality of entertainment on a smaller ship. They did a tremendous job. Viking provided the football quarter final and semi final games so we had a great opportunity to watch those games. This is our second Viking cruise. We went to China last year and had an outstanding time. We're now looking forward to May and a trip with Viking to Russia. Read Less

My husband and I wanted to see the Amazon and believed that this Viking cruise would provide us with that opportunity. We booked late last fall and as we only had a choice of four cabins, we ended up selecting a DV5 category cabin on Deck 4. Upon embarkation, we would quickly discovered that this was the smallest balcony cabin we’ve ever been assigned, not only in terms of square footage, but also in terms of storage space. However the public areas on the ship were well done and we spent quite a bit of time hanging out in the Explorer's Lounge on Deck 7, often going up for a late breakfast or early lunch on sailing days at Mamsen’s and then settling into comfortable seating to read or visit with other passengers while we kept an eye on activities along the Amazon. On excursion days we would go up to the World Cafe' for breakfast before heading out where we took many meals on the Aquavit Terrace on the ship's aft. We really didn't eat many meals in The Restaurant as service was slow enough that it only served as our go to spot for a late lunch or early dinner on sailing days. Our cabin grade only allowed us two dinners at the speciality restaurants, but we were fortunate enough to be able to grab a reservation on both Christmas and New Year's Eve. Afternoon tea at Wintergarden also became routine on sailing days, usually before taking in a talk at The Theater. The speakers were generally good and these presentations were usually well attended. The young crew also put on several stage shows during our three weeks at sea, the best one being their Christmas offering. Some of the included shore excursions proved to be disappointing, especially the last one on St. Thomas where we were driven in an open bus to the top of the island where we then disembarked to view the area. While the view itself was quite scenic, the FORTY MINUTES we then spent in the gift shop complex was more than a bit frustrating! Read Less

Disembarked in San Juan yesterday and I’m on my way back to Reno as I’m writing this. I was invited to join some friends on this cruise and had no real expectations or spot on my “Bucket List.” The ship was fantastic and was tastefully decorated for the holidays. Food was mostly exceptional with a few off days in the Specialty Restaurants. The World Cafe (buffet) was unlike any other ship that I’ve been on. Excellent selection of very fresh and creative foods. Each night a different theme. While on the Amazon you were struck with the wonder of how these people survive. Tourism is certainly important as is agriculture. Viking delivered the best that was available in each port and at sometimes it was a bit uncomfortable. During the port talks each upcoming stop was explained in detail...pros & cons. It is important to heed the warnings and not wandering off with only one or two. People there are desperate for income. This will be a trip to remember and I so glad I went. Give it a try. Read Less

When we took our very first Viking cruise in Dec. 2017, we saw this one in the itinerary book and it looked amazing! So when we actually decided to 'go away' for Christmas for the first time ever, we knew it would be this amazing itinerary AND with Viking. We've only ever done one other 'large cruise line' and while it was an amazing adventure with lots of friends, we'll never choose any of those lines again. We love the Viking way! We love not traveling with children and are not gamblers, so the lack of those two major features is quite relaxing for us. This was our third time on the 'Viking Sea', and we could envision all parts of the ship long before we began our cruise. The ship is beautifully decorated and meticulously cared for from 'fore to aft'! All of the dining venues are outstanding and the specialty restaurants have never disappointed! On this particular cruise, we feel that the entertainment was more superior to our prior cruises, but that's not to say the others were lacking. This was just an extraordinary group of talented folks. The staff of young adults who wait on you at all of the dining or entertainment venues are just outstanding! We met so many of them from all over the world and they are just a delight to chat with. Always smiling and happy, despite the fact that they are 'working'! We love the variety of places to hide when away from our cabin. It just feels like home. We have booked another 'winter cruise', but will be on the Viking Sky next time! We already look forward to packing for that one! Keep up the great work Viking! Read Less

We have sailed Viking’s river cruises in Europe and were impressed with the quality of the food and the attention to guest services. We chose this cruise because of the timing, over the Holidays, and that the destination was one we had not experienced before. We were delighted to find the same level of customer service and quality of food on the ocean cruise. The cabin stewards were gracious and friendly. The food was delicious in whatever venue and the wait staff attentive to our every need. The decor of the ship was really nice. Very comfortable chairs and lounges and many quite spots to sit and enjoy a good read. The Library and the Explorer’s Lounge are especially nice. Bar service is very attentive. The entertainment was superb. We especially enjoyed Pablo, a Venezuelan guitarists, who is very talented. There’s also a pianist and a string duet who play in the atrium every evening. There are also very interesting presentations related to the history and culture of the ports to be visited. Read Less