Viking Sea Review
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This was not my first cruise, but considering every other cruise I'd been on was courtesy US Navy it certainly rates as the best. All kidding aside, I had always dreamed of going on a ship and not doing any work. For the type of experience I sought Viking delivered.
After an eventful year I needed some time to simply decompress. If this is the experience you're looking for I recommend Viking. The Viking Sea (and its identical sister ship the Viking Star) is ideal venue for relaxation offering a comfortable, unhurried experience.
If you're looking for hustle and bustle, constant stimulation, and amusement park experiences Viking is not for you. If you're looking for a family cruise Viking is not for you. The Viking Sea has no casino, no rock wall, no waterslides, no cross branding, no shopping malls, no photographers, and no kid zone. In fact the minimum age to sail with Viking is sixteen. If, however, you're looking for adult themed activities that stimulate the intellect and enrich the soul, if you're looking for comfort, if you're looking for charm and grace Viking is just what you're looking for.
Cabin Review
One thing I quite appreciate about Viking's cabin selection is that all cabins are equipped with a private veranda. I was in a deluxe veranda stateroom aft. The main difference between the veranda and deluxe veranda categories is that the deluxe veranda has a non-alcoholic mini-bar that is restocked daily (with no additional charges) and the reservation period for the specialty restaurants opens sooner. Being my first cruise I have little standard of comparison except to say that it was paradise compared to a berthing compartment on a US Navy cruiser. The queen sized bed was comfortable and was provided with many pillows of various firmness. The housekeeping staff made up the bed linen for light napping in the afternoon and thicker blankets to sleep at night which I found to be a nice touch. The bathroom was quite nice and well stocked with product. Overall I found the room to be cozy for one, perhaps a bit small for two, though I'm sure that most will not spend their entire cruise in their rooms. Advertising photos were likely taken with a wide angle lens which makes the room look bigger than it is but that did not detract from my experience. As I said, it was a comfortable place to retreat. Room service was complimentary so it was quite nice to have coffee on the veranda and watch the sunrise.