My wife and I have sailed on many big-ship cruises and once on the Viking River longship. We decided to try the Viking Ocean cruise with the Included Airfare and pre- and post-cruise extensions. This review reflects our experiences onboard of the Viking Sky and other segments of our trip under the Viking care.

• The best part of our journey was the 7 days on the Viking Sky. The ship itself is a work of art, designed with creativity and engineering prowess. It feels much larger than it actually is, with plenty of air and welcoming lounges, pools, spas, bars, and restaurants. Unlike the familiar situations on large ships, where it was really hard to get a sun lounger by the pool, find a quiet place to relax, or just have your lunch or dinner at the right place and at the right time, I didn’t see crowded places on Viking Sky at all. Guests are welcomed everywhere and the staff goes out of their way to serve you to the highest standards.

• Chefs at Viking Sky restaurants are highly qualified and, I'm sure, have satisfied the most sophisticated tastes of their customers. So-called "house wines" are included during lunch and dinner at no extra charge. These are inexpensive but tastefully selected Spanish, Portuguese, and French wines, the labels of which changed daily. If you do not like the current selection, past day wines are available, or you can order a wide selection of alcoholic drinks for a reasonable extra charge. Finally, you may bring your own wine to the ship without restrictions and corkage fees. Thus, Viking abolished the infamous and humiliating alcohol policy that has characterized many other cruise lines. Read more