We've been cruising twice a year for a while now, almost exclusively on Viking. Aside from the comfortable cabins and stellar service we especially like the many food options. On this cruise we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary and chose to eat at the specialty Italian restaurant Manfredi's. After a terrific meal, they brought out a special anniversary cake baked just for special occasions. It was a wonderful way to finish off a full day spent exploring Monaco.

This cruise was our fifth with Viking and we have four more in the works. Viking ships are smaller than most and aimed at an older clientele. We cruised the big ships with our kids when they were young, but now we enjoy the relaxed and elegant ambiance of Viking. We also especially appreciate the free launderettes on every deck. Because we stick with Viking we arrive to familiar surroundings and can settle in quickly, all the better to enjoy the many varied itineraries they offer.

Viking Star has the same layout as most of Viking's other ocean cruisers. Each ship has several dining venues. We prefer the World Cafe which is their casual buffet option. Certain items are always available, but the menu features new offerings everyday. Two favorites are the steamed vegetables (to offset the many rich dishes) and the fabulous gelato. There is also a more formal sit down restaurant, and two specialty restaurants which require advance reservations but are free of charge. One can preview the World Cafe and Restaurant menus on the in-cabin TV monitor. Read more