Viking ocean’s great reviews were not overstated. The ship is beautiful with lots of lovely, quiet spaces. Our cabin (penthouse veranda) was spacious and had more storage space than we needed - a first for us. The well-equipped self-serve laundry was a pleasant surprise. We are elite on other lines and get free laundry but this was better.

Entertainment was terrific, a small ensemble of singers and dancers who did small shows that did not overextend them, as too many cruise lines do. Small, pre-dinner recitals by one or two of them were a special treat. Kudos to the cruise director who scheduled extra performances of one show when more passengers wanted to attend than could be accommodated in the theater - a pleasant change from so many lines where on board cruise staff have little discretion to deviate from schedules dictated by corporate staff.

Shore excursions available for a fee were the usual array. The included excursion in each port was essentially a drive-by tour or, in Bermuda, a bus pass. Read more