Viking Sky Review
Superb “Midnight Sun”, but Viking’s passenger demographic is narrow
Rating by category
Additional details
Viking Sky “Into the Midnight Sun” was wonderful in almost every respect, and we even lucked into exceptionally good weather and much calmer seas than can often be met in northern Europe. We knew from previous Viking experiences (Ocean and River) that we would be hosted, fed, educated and entertained to a very high standard and we weren’t disappointed. Of all the factors, Viking’s people made the biggest contribution and it seems that Viking makes sure that its entire staff, including deck hands and technicians as well as the customer-facing roles, are encouraged to greet guests with a smile and (if invited) conversation. This seems absent on other lines.
This review won’t repeat information that many reviewers have provided, but we found this itinerary to be as fascinating as we’d hoped. We sailed in the London to Bergen direction, and were very pleased to see Norway this way round as the scenery got more spectacular every day. Maybe reviewers travelling Bergen-London will argue their direction was better!
What I will comment on is the demographic profile of the passengers. It seems to us that Viking’s customer base has become more homogeneously American (with only a smattering of Canadians, Australians and Brits) and more 70-plus than I remember from our first experience four years ago. This may be the cause of a couple of changes:
Cabin Review
Everything we needed and excellent attendant staff.
Port Reviews
Kirkwall
Cliff-top coastal walk from Yesnaby with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide was excellent, and the concluding visit to 5000 year old fantastically intact neolithic settlement at Skara Brae was awe-inspiring. The only disappointment was that the bus ride took us past, but didn't stop at, the Ring of Brodgar standing stone circle.
Molde
The driving part of the tour was OK at best, but the highlight was the visit to the Romsdal folk museum presenting Norwegian rural life in the late nineteenth century.
Honningsvag (North Cape)
Unescorted ride to North Cape was spectacular. North Cape area very crowded, but we walked along the cliffs to moorland to the east, and we were soon in open area and watching reindeer grazing.