Viking Vili Review

4.0 / 5.0
117 reviews

Viking egypt

Review for the Middle East Cruise on Viking Vili
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LSGourmet
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Oct 2015

This was truly an incredible journey and it turned out to be everything the write-ups said it would be and more. Viking's Egyptian personnel were wonderful, they were on duty 24/7 and made it seem as if they were having the time of their lives just being there for you. Amr Shaheen, the Viking Egyptologist and tour leader was possibly the most knowledgeable, outgoing and personable guides we have ever had the pleasure to travel with. By the end of the second day of the trip, which began at the Sofitel El Ghizarah in Cairo, he established a bond with our group that stayed solid throughout the trip. Friends told us not to go because of the unrest in the Middle East, however due to Viking's security personnel, and Egypt's heightened military presence, we felt safe during the entire journey. We traveled on non-Viking ships, the Mayfair and the Omar Khayham, both ships have recently been refurbished and were clean and comfortable.

There are no words to explain the many once in a lifetime moments we experienced, hot air ballooning over the Valley of the Kings, riding a camel into the desert, touring the archeological museum, a trip through the streets of the bazaar in Cairo, staring into the face of the Sphinx, wandering through the temples, learning about cartouches, and on and on until the brain reeled. This is a trip not to be missed.

There was one thing that drove me crazy and that was the lack of local cuisine and a fine dining option. The meals were all buffet and although the quality of the food was good, it was pseudo-European/American style, three starches, meats drowned in gravy and heavy on desserts. The cost of the cruise shouldn't have had us dining cafeteria style, with no other options. Middle Eastern grilled meats, appetizers and, soups are excellent and much more suited to the climate than well cooked pot roast in gravy with mashed potatoes.

Cabin Review

The cabins on both ships were well maintained, the cabin crew were on top of their job. Room on the OK was far nicer than the Mayfair, but it is a newer ship.

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