For a trans Atlantic cruise, this itinerary had great ports of call. Started in Barcelona, a great city in itself, and then 6 more ports of call, before we started on our crossing. We then had another 2 ports of call before docking in San Juan! Although we enjoyed ourselves, this was the largest ship we have been on in 13 cruises, and would really have to give thought to a ship this large in the future, and probably for sure, not the Norwegian Epic again. Whomever designed the bathroom layout in the cabins must of had a grudge to settle with Norwegian. And who would of approved such a design.? I cannot imagine anyone thinking this a great design. Elevators were continuously overcrowded and often had to wait in long lines in the buffet for average just barely warm food. Had several occasions were our toilet would not flush for several hours at a time. Beds are short for a 6 foot tall person like myself. High marks for the entertainment, especially Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and Burn the Floor, along with the Cirque show. Disembarkation in ports of call seemed to be fairly efficient, however the same cannot be said for the initial embarking. Did not appreciate that water was not included in drink package, and could not bring on board so much as a couple ounces left in a bottle from a shore excursion. Seems like nothing but a money grab to me. All drink stations had a sign asking you not to refill water bottles, which I blatantly ignored. Bar staff, did their best, but at many times definitely overworked, or under staffed. Before we ever sail on Norwegian Epic again, these issues would have to be addressed.. Read Less

We chose this cruise because we wanted to cruise the West Indies and chose Viking as we wanted to sample the quality of there ocean cruises. We were so glad we did as the whole experience was first class the restaurants were excellent as was the food the staff were very attentive and the ship was superb, the interior of the ship was excellent with loads of space where you could go and relax and read if you wanted to, the afternoon tea was excellent which was served in the winter garden, this is very well designed and extremely pleasant to sit in. Our cabin was very well presented and very comfortable. We also used the spar etc and found this very invigorating with first class facilities. All the included tours we went on were very educational and our tour guides were all very knowledgable about our destinations. This was an excellent cruise and will do another in the future. Read Less

We chose this cruise because I had hand surgery recently and was not able to carry around suitcases. We thought an ocean cruise would allow us to have a great experience and not need to change rooms or locations, which is exactly what happened. The ports were all fun, however, visiting St.Martin Island was a little sad. The hurricane ruined that place and there is little beauty away from the ocean. Fortunately the visit was short. Portuguese Madeira was quite beautiful. It was spring and the flowers and landscapes were wonderful. We would have liked more time there. Cadiz and Valencia were very interesting. Lots of history, of course, and good food. The walking tours of both cities were very good. The guides were well informed and knew their stuff. We loved Barcelona. Our second time there so we did things we had missed on our first trip. We stayed extra days and used Viator tours for a couple of outings to wine country and Montserrat. The ship was wonderful and the food excellent. We were on the ship on April fools day and the Captain ran a scam on the passengers about a leak in the storage room and running out of toilet paper. Really funny. Overall, a great voyage. Six days at sea was filled with a new and very good bridge class, super fun cooking classes, sessions in the gym, Mohjong, evening shows and a few lazy days. A really wonderful experience. It is unlikely that we will do another long sea voyage, but as a first and only this one was terrific! Read Less

We chose this cruise because of the itinerary and our past Viking expierences. One of our favourite things on this ship is beautiful, clean, modern, excellent public areas. Lots of comfortable areas to sit and relax without feeling crowded. Food is excellent with daily theme luncheons offered on sea days around the main pool and several cook outs on the back deck were offered in the evenings as well as the buffet which always had lots to choose from. Daily offerings of crab claws, crab legs, big shrimp, sushi, shell fish, steak cooked to order, meat dishes. Rotating offers of roasts of lamb, pork, beef, roasted chicken, duck. Daily, a variety of vegetables, potatoes, rice etc, salads, fruit, breads and a nice variety of dessert. Breakfast offered eggs, omelets, cooked to order quickly, eggs benedict, fruits, waffles, in addition to all of the usual breakfast items. Restaurants are intimate and the service is provided by professional, friendly, outgoing staff who are attententive without being obtrusive. The menu offers a variety to choose from and our food was delicious at Manfrefi’s and at the Chef’s Table. The same can be said of the World Cafe, Mamsens and the Pool Snack bar which offered burgers of all kinds, foot long hot dogs, fries, Onion rings and all the trimmings in addition to numerous salads and desserts. The ice cream at the World Cafe is delicious with a variety of different flavours daily. All meals include wine and beer. The spa sauna, pool and snow grotto are an invigorating experience. There is a main pool with a retractable roof and an infinity pool on the back deck. All have lots of lounge seating in comfortable, relaxing surroundings. We especially enjoyed the Explorers Lounge located at the front of the ship. You feel as though you are the captain looking out through the expansive windows onto the ocean. The Viking Sea singers/dancers and musicians were the best and the most talented and enjoyable we have experienced in a long time. Beth, Hannah, Louis and Cole, along with cruise director Jenna treated us to Abba, Beatles, Divas, Motown music that rocked the theatre. The included excursions were informative and provided by knowledgeable guides. The most important thing is we are grateful to all of the staff for their attentive, genuine, smiling, caring approach, ensuring you are having a perfect vacation. How they are able to remember you by name and your cabin number is delightful surprise. It truly was, quote Captain Malmberg, “the happiest, friendliest, funnest ship on the ocean”. Read Less

We enjoy sea days and this had 8 of them, which were blissful and relaxing The ship and crew were great, as were the food and facilities. St Maarten was a waste of time and the tour was awful on a rusty, uncomfortable, aged bus. The other excursions were excellent. All in all an ideal cruise with first class service from Viking staff, especially at the bars and restaurants. The Chef's Table and Manfredi's are a must to dine in. The cabins are nicely appointed, comfortable and very quiet. The Spa facilities are great and the main spa is free to enjoy, unlike with certain other cruise lines. The 2 pools are just fine, especially as Viking is adults only so no screaming kids clogging up your swimming freedom. The captain is great and makes this the cheeriest, most friendly ship we have experienced. The entertainment is good enough, though some cruise lines offer more in this department. Viking is our number one choice for cruises. Read Less

My brother and I wanted to cross the Atlantic. We were particularly looking forward to Funchal (Madeira) Portugal, cruising through the Strait of Gibraltar and visiting Sevilla and Valencia, Spain. We were not let down; sea days were a blast, the weather was good (60s and 70s), excursions were terrific. The staff is amazing - open and friendly, always engaging & remembering our names, taking care of any requests. Just terrific. Here’s an example of great service; we would read on the top deck most days in the late afternoon, where comfortable couches are located outside. One day there had been early rain, and the furniture had been secured. We asked a senior crew member if they could set up the furniture and within 5 minutes, it was set. Very impressive. The food was very good, entertainment was great. The Viking singers get a huge high-five. We used Viking Air Plus, which I recommend- all transfers were seamless. You can’t go wrong with Viking, and I have already signed on to a 2020 cruise. Read Less

Having done this exact cruise last year, albeit a little later in the Spring, and enjoyed it so much we booked it again when offered. In full disclosure we got an AMAZING deal that we couldn't pass up. The crossing was originally scheduled for the end of March but was moved up two weeks. We found out at the end of the crossing that it was to complete a 10-day dry dock before SP began her Med season. Only 62 people were onboard compared to 168 last year. Did it make a difference? Yes, in that there wasn't enough for the crew to do, and it seemed they got a little bored. Can't blame them. With the exception of the trivia games and "name that tune" the guests didn't seem to want to participate a lot - maybe they were a little bored too. The Spa was rarely used as was the gym. Several times on leaving the gym in the late afternoon the hair salon area was dark and there was no one at the front desk. Rarely saw anyone in the casino (which we heard is being eliminated during the "stretching"). Cruiselines use the days at sea to get done repairs, both cosmetic and mechanical, that couldn't be completed during the ship's Caribbean season. This resulted in some noise, loud at times, that really bugged some people - us not so much. After receiving complaints the ship did the best they could to complete the repairs when guests weren't on deck. As another reviewer wrote Star Pride is showing her age and isn't due to go into full dry dock for "stretching" until 2020, so it's no wonder WS schedule a mini-dry dock now. Hopefully these repairs will be enough to see the ship through. The crew was fantastic! Learned your name quickly and your preferences for things like coffee, wine, etc. They were always smiling and always greeted you by name. With only one exception, we felt they worked hard and enjoyed what they did. We couldn't say the same for our stateroom attendant. Nice guy but seemed not to have been well trained. The food was outstanding and, we both agreed, actually better this year than last. Really it was the highlight of the trip. Our stop in Horta was pretty worthless, although it was nice to get onto dry land for a few hours. We ventured forth and found the grocery store to buy some liquor to take back on with us for the remaining 3 days. We had taken liquor on in our bags when we boarded so we thought this wouldn't be a problem. I understand the liquor confiscation reasoning and policy, especially for Caribbean cruises, but with only 3 days left it would have been nice if someone had told security to waive it. Instead we didn't get to enjoy drinks in our room and went to the Compass Rose instead. In fairness the port that we had also brought and was confiscated with the liquor, was returned to us that same afternoon. Still, we kind of resented what we felt was petty on WS's part. SP is an older ship and I'll be interested to see what she looks like after her "stretching" in 2020. We won't do another crossing though. Even at a great price it just lacked anything that would compel us to return. Read Less

This was our second cruise with RCL. We chose the Jewel of the Seas because of the ports of call and it fitted best in our holiday planning. The embarkation and and disembarkation went very smoothly! It was impressive. We landed in San Juan at 10:30 and were on board eating lunch at 12. In Cicitavecchia/Rome our meeting time for disembarkation was 7:15 and we were at the airport at 08:50. I would go again on this cruise. The jewel is a very nice ship. Not to big and not too small were so many activities on board and it really seemed like the crew and staff genuinely wanted everyone to have a good time. The food was excellent and a lot of variety and options. The service - especially in the dining room - was outstanding. Everyone made a point of knowing our names and calling us by name! We are already planning our next cruise. Read Less

This was my 26th cruise, 4th TA, and first cruise with RC. We departed from Puerto Rico without incident, boarding and checking in was a breeze. The Jewel is one Royals older ships but still has allot of life in her. Some of the public rooms seemed a bit dated and worn. The dining room is a classic beauty. We mostly dined in the main dining room and buffet. Our waiters in the Main Dining Room were excellent. We were a table of 10 friends. Quality of food and selection was very good. We ate one night at "Chops Grill." The food was classic steakhouse! I would highly recommend. The only negative about dining is that after 9 PM offerings are very limited. One can get a piece a pizza, hot dog or cookie in the Solarium. The desserts overall were not great. My last 5 cruises were on Celebrity. The Jewel had some of the best entertainment and performers. This was by far one of the most liveliest TA's I have been on, people partied late. What struck me most about this cruise was how friendly the staff and crew was and how approachable the ships officers were on the Jewel. The only negative thing that occurred was I got the "Cold from Hell" 10 days into the trip. I was not alone. I would definitely go back on Royal. Read Less

Transatlantic cruises are our favorite! We choose this cruise because date worked. Turns out it was one of our best cruises (30+ cruises). We flew to San Juan late on Saturday & stayed at airport hotel (very convenient), took taxi ($19 plus tip) and arrived at port around 11am. The port was chaos and porters rude. Demanded tip before they would take bag (this was only negative of our cruise). Once in terminal check in was very smooth. Was on ship quickly and went up to Solarium to relax. Jewel of the Seas was showing her age slightly but it was immaculately clean and staff and crew extremely friendly, personable and informative. We had balcony stateroom (8026) which was nicely appointed, plenty of storage and very quiet. Our cabin was also close to forward elevators. Excellent cabin steward, Kevis. He remembered little things and alway had smile. Mattress very firm (translate hard). Kevis went above & beyond to remedy that. Had excellent table with great table mates. Our waiter and assistant were both new to their jobs so service was slow but they worked hard. Fantastic head waiter Gianni. He was very present. He fixed issues immediately. He also took special care of my husband who has special dietary needs due to health. Don't like changes to menu, especially only 1 new dessert each night but food was always delicious. Loved the savory bite rolls. Headliner shows were excellent this cruise though the production shows not as good as usually. I would cruise just to see some of those entertainers again. The enrichment lectures were a disappointment. Only 1 lecturer was scheduled and she was not a good speaker. A real let down for my husband. Being smaller ship, many activities were in Centrum. It was just too small for some of the Activites held there. There were only 25 seats. The staff & crew were one of the best, if not the best we ever encountered. The tone was set Captain Dustin and his officers. The were present, always smiling and made us feel valued and welcomed. There were a few crew who made our cruise so special by their warmth and friendliness. They were not assigned to us but just went out of their way to greet you. And once they knew you, they took the time to talk with you each time they saw you. (Maileen- dining room, Jennifer-bar staff, Loupesh-disembarkation Coral theater. The ports were all beautiful. We did 4 ship excursions-2 excellent, 2 not good. The shore excursions manager Claudio was very helpful. He listened and seemed to truly value our input. He also made up for poor excursions. Disembarkation was amazing. It was relaxed, calm and peaceful. Not the usual experience. When we got off the ship, we were greeted by Captain Dustin and some officers with handshakes and a heartfelt thank you for cruising with them. Like I said, amazing. The seas were calm and weather good the whole trip. Though it was breezy! The shuttle to Rome's City Center went so smoothly. A great cruise, tremendous memories, new friends and only 1 lb gained. Hope we will sail on Jewel again. She is a beautiful ship with even more beautiful staff & crew Read Less

RCCL offered a very attractive price for this cruise, and we were looking for a smaller ship (i.e., less than 3,000). The Jewel is not new, but it has been kept up well and the public rooms are all very nice and comfortable. The service was outstanding, starting with a very visible and friendly captain from Canada. Everything operated very efficiently and, if something was to our dissatisfaction, the staff attended to it very quickly and in caring fashion. The itinerary was terrific, making 6 stops (3 Canary Islands, Gibraltar, Alicante and Valencia, Spain with disembarkation in Rome). All the stops were very nice, particularly Alicante and Valencia. We had plenty of time to tour, and could walk easily to virtually all ports. Entertainment/music was generally very good. A weak point was the so-called "enrichment program" with amateurs. Bartenders were incredibly efficient and service-conscious, and always with a smile (e.g., Javier from Columbia and Girish from Mauritius). Embarking in San Juan and disembarking in Rome were extremely smooth. Captain and his officers met us either going off or coming back on ship at many ports--a nice touch. This is something you can hope to enjoy with a small ship, and the Jewel delivered. We've done a lot of transatlantic cruises--some on newer or bigger ships--but this was the best. Read Less

As a New Diamond Member with Royal Caribbean and have done more then 42 Cruises with various companies. We are proud and pleased with the Enterainment on the Jewel of the seas. The " Fly On" acts i think were a lot more presentable and distinguished then the Ships production shows themselves. The Singers and dancers were probably the weakest then most ships. However the ship was BUSY! with tons of variety and lots of entertainment options around the Vessel. This 14 night repositioning cruise had continuously brought out great bands in all lounges and great parties. Andrea who is the current cruise Director from Italy ( coming from MSC and Norwegian Cruise line was out and about making sure all guests were having a great time. He was a very nice, organized Cruise Director. Disappointed to see the Cold Soups go.. from Royal. We did the Vision of the seas last year through Scotland, Ireland and they offered a different chilled soup each night. Banana, Strawberry, EXTC. Ports through the Canary Islands were extremely beautiful with fair port hours from the ship we are very pleased and grateful for this cruise experience. Read Less

We wanted to try a transAtlantic cruise and the 13-day trip from San Juan to Lisbon seemed perfect. We had delightful weather the first 10 days, interesting weather the last three. Our bad that we didn't realize that the trip was as much for maintenance as for our pleasure, so we can't complain that deck crews were occasionally in the way of outside activities. The cuisine was perfect. The wine list was very interesting. Crew were positive and professional. We didn't expect to be entertained, so the daily astronomy lectures, French conversation and trivia competition were a nice surprise. We will go again. If there was one small quibble, it is the antiquated wiring in our cabin. A lot has changed in the 30 years the Pride has been sailing. Most of us carry a variety of electronics, all of which need plugging in at some point. Our suite had three outlets, two in the living area and one in the bathroom. The 220 in the bathroom didn't work and the 120 in the main cabin couldn't seem to get a steady grip on the plug. It seems like rewiring the ship would be a daunting project, but something akin to the Bose docking station that sits in front of the old sound controls might make ours lives easie - a nicely installed power strip if the electrical system is up to it.. One other quibble: Embarkation was slow, hot and frustrating. The ship began boarding an hour after hotel check-out, so passengers were left to their own devices to find shade until the gates opened, which a hundred meters of shade beckoned just beyond the gate. Wait! One more tiny quibble: TV selection was pretty good with reasonably current movies, but one can watch the same documentary about the Panama Canal so many times. Read Less

We got an offer from WS for the Eastbound TA as a prior cruiser and it truly was an offer we couldn't refuse. We had always wanted to try the power yachts (or as someone I know calls them "baby Seaborns" since the boats used to be owned by SB). We opted for a BS1 on Deck 5. Up front let me state that we have already booked the same crossing for next year in the same cabin - we loved it that much! We flew down to San Juan and stayed at the El Convento right in the heart of Old San Juan - highly recommended. San Juan looks good, but in reality there was a lot of damage. We went to the pier at 11:00 and were told we could drop off our stuff but that they wouldn't be ready for boarding until 1:30. So we walked around, did a little shopping (including buying some booze to enjoy in our cabin) and arrived back around 2. After a little wait we were on board and another little wait while people checked in. No problem for us. There were 163 (?) passengers on the ship. In a nutshell this was the perfect escape. Great crew, very good food, nice entertainment and enough things to do if you wanted or nothing to do if that's what you needed. Bar and restaurant crew were all outstanding. Spa/gym was fine for what I needed (although an elliptical would be great!); men's shave done by the Spa Manager was one of the best treatments I've had on a ship. So why only 4 stars? There were some things operationally that WS didn't think through: it became evident, based on the Captain's daily report, that we were going to be running into some not so great weather as the days went on. Knowing that WS should have rescheduled some things, especially the Deck BBQ that EVERYONE was looking forward to. They should have moved it up when the weather/temps were favorable, but instead kept to the routine which meant it was on dreary, rainy and windy day so that they had to improvise and move it indoors. I understand the weather is out of WS's control, but they knew what was coming (since we were told every day to expect worsening conditions). The result was less than stellar food - Budhi, the head chef, and his crew did his best but - of no fault of his own - the event was just disappointing. This was the head office's call and they blew it. If they weren't aware of the situation then there was a breakdown in communication. This criticism may be nitpicking but on a crossing - when very few "special events" are expected - the special events that they did have should have been well executed. It wasn't. Again - we loved the crossing, met some nice people and just reveled in the sheer monotony of the day to day repetitiveness: wake up, eat, lay on deck, eat, read/nap, shower, drink, eat and go to bed. Get up and do it all over again. Not for everyone - totally for us! Hopefully next year these decisions will be made with a little more foresight. Regardless, I am hoping to see many of the crew that we met when we are onboard again - they really made the experience phenomenal. Read Less

Great trip! Thirteen days at sea and away from chaos of USA. The crew were phenomenal and really care about customer service. Beautiful suite with Juliet balcony. It was really nice to sleep with door open and the sound of the waves. We had smooth sailing virtually the entire trip. Being in the middle of the Atlantic and waited on so well was such a wonderful experience. The meals, particularly dinner, were outstanding. Everything is made on demand and plated with style. Single seating wherever and whenever you want in the dining room. My wife is a vegetarian and commented on quality and variety. Perhaps the most wonderful thing on this ship is that there are virtually no lines from boarding to departure. Our voyage had 163 passengers and 150+ crew on board. I enjoyed the entertainment, especially Greg Redfern who spoke almost every morning about space and the stars. His night time star gazing session with deck lights off was amazing. I would love to do another crossing on Star Pride. Read Less

We chose to do a repositioning cruise on the Viking Sea in March of 2018 from San Juan to Barcelona. We have sailed over a dozen times on other cruise lines, predominately Seabourn and have done four other trans-Atlantic cruises, but were intrigued by the pictures and reviews of these new ships. First the good: The Viking Sea was a beautiful ship with spacious public areas. We loved the clean Scandinavian design and our lovely PV1 cabin. The Mediocre: The food. Perhaps we are spoiled by the exceptional cuisine on Seabourn, but we found the dining experience on the Viking Sea to be very disappointing. With the exception of the specialty restaurants (which were limited to two visits per cruise) the food and service in the main dining room were mediocre at best. There was never enough wait staff, the food was not very good, and the tables were jammed so close together that any thought of a romantic meal for two was impossible. In general we were surprised at the poor level of service on the boat (again compared to Seabourn.) While sitting around the pool, it was rare for anyone to come offer even a drink of water, let alone something alcoholic. This meant one of us (including my handicapped husband) had to go to the bar, order a drink, and carry it back. The Horrible: My husband suffers from Afib, a heart condition for which he has been treated for two years. Prior to leaving on this cruise, he was cleared to sail by his cardiologist in Florida. On day 9 of our cruise, he went to see the ship's doctor because he was having some symptoms related to this condition. The doctor prescribed a new drug, and he felt fine. On day 11, we took a private land excursion to Tangiers which tired him out. The next morning (shortly after we docked in Cadiz, Spain) he decided to see the doctor again, just to be sure he was okay. After running some tests (which concluded my husband had NOT had a heart attack) the doctor announced that "because the next day would be a sea day" he could not risk having us on board. We were told to summarily pack our things, leave the ship, and go to a local hospital in Cadiz. In a state of shock we complied. We spent the next 7 days in a hospital in Cadiz (where most of the staff did not speak English.) My husband was given an IV for hydration and hooked up to a monitor. And we waited and waited and waited for 4 DAYS to see a cardiologist. When he finally arrived, he did a short test, added a beta blocker (a drug my husband had previously taken) and said we were "cleared to fly." Hurray! But no, our Viking trip insurance company "Trip Mate," now responsible for getting us back to Florida, declared we must have a "medical escort" home. This, despite the fact that all the doctors at the Cadiz hospital said this was UNNECESSARY. So...we waited 3 MORE DAYS for a nurse to fly in from Colorado to accompany us home. THEN THE REAL KICKER.......Trip Mate just sent us a bill for $2,000 for my air ticket home, because it exceeded their limit for that class of service. It was the SAME class of service we had booked for our original flight home from Barcelona. In short...we missed the last three days of our cruise, spent seven nights in a foreign hospital, suffered considerable stress and discomfort, for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. My husband, according to ALL the doctors in the Cadiz hospital, was medically fine to continue the cruise. He has been fine since we returned home. The Viking doctor made a mistake when he sent us off the boat. Now they want to charge us $2,000 more for his poor judgement. This is unconscionable and unacceptable. We do not intend to pay this bill, will never sail on Viking again, and have told all of our friends to beware of this cruise line. Read Less

I chose this cruise because I wanted to experience what international travel was like before the advent of modern air travel. I wanted to enjoy an Atlantic crossing a la vintage Hollywood. I wasn't disappointed. The Viking Sea is luxurious. Her crew and the entire staff were magnificent in every respect. From a good nights sleep to a snow bath, comfort and convenience was the order of the day. There were six dining venues to accommodate every atmosphere from casual to elegant. The food quality was excellent and catered to most every taste. Some of my favorites were the foods that were unique to the country we visited that day. And, there's a well equipped gym to help work off the excess calories! What more could one ask for! Entertainment and activity opportunities while aboard afforded passengers an almost endless variety of things to do. If one got tired of the spa, pool, hot tub or wistfully staring out to sea there were several libraries, the Viking Museum, movies under the stars, high teas, dance classes, fashion shows, live music, resident lecturers and port call briefings to occupy the day. The cruise originated from San Juan Puerto Rico and ended in Barcelona Spain with eight full days at sea. Boarding and disembarking were professionally executed and effortless. Port calls included Phillipsburg on the island of St Maarten, Funchal on the island of Madeira Portugal, Tangier Morocco, Cadiz Spain and Valencia Spain. The shore excursions were well planed, fun and took us to the heart of these fantastic cities. Our passage through the Straights of Gibraltar was at 2330 in a thunder storm that produced a spectacular lightening display. One could barely make out the floodlit "Rock". What a welcome to the Mediterranean! All the ports were special in there own unique ways. I spent two days in San Juan prior to sailing. Even in the post hurricane environment it was well worth the visit. If I was forced to pick a favorite it would be Tangier. There was never enough time for sight seeing (or Shopping) at any of the ports so return trips are definitely warranted! I would recommend this cruise to anyone and would do it again in a heartbeat. Read Less

I have been smitten with the Viking ship design since the first brochure arrived in my maibox a number of years ago. Picked this 15 day Transatlantic crusie for its sea days and ports of call. Frist TA and first Vking cruise. I am amazed by the attention to detail in the design and furnishings of the ship: I lost count of the different style of chairs in the various public spaces. My favorite are the deep brown leather chairs next to the Living Room Bar. The railings in the hallways and even the door handles to cabins are wrapped in smooth leather. The lichen garden below the stairs rising to the full story sceen showing the most brillinat pictures throughout the day and evening. The views of sky, sea through every window above deck 1. The windows are floor to ceiling. In the World Cafe these were open on sunny days in port for more alfresco dining. Stunning spa with heated tile loungers, stream room , sauna, and snow grotto and small pool open to evyerone. Fees are only for massages. Food in all venues is very good, lots of variety, creative, and the" success cake "in Mamsen is the best dessert at sea. The crew from officers to the young man who was in charge of keeping the elevators clean were always friendly, going out of their way to answer a question or help in any way. The included excursions were basicly bus tours with stops or walking tours of areas of the port towns . All the guides were very knowlegable . The resident historian program is outstanding. Our historian Mark gave lectures on art, pirates, explorers, also had round table discussions and open office hours for small group discussion. The Deluxe veranda cabin was fine, with large shower, and heated bathroom floor. Could have had more drawers in the main cabin. We did find places for all of our stuff. Loved our balcony and table height for having breakfast while looking out at the morning sea or sailing into port. Met so many intersting passengers who were all having a good time while we crossed the Atlantic Ocean. The only negative is that they ran of three of the white wines on the wine list during the cruise. Many of us had the Silver Beverage Package and they miscalculated the number of wine drinkers with this package. They did not run out of the incudled wine, however. LOL This minor detail was the only negative I experienced. Read Less

After thoroughly enjoying our Viking Homelands cruise in 2016, we decided we just didn't have much time on the ship. So crossing the Atlantic for 6 days was a delight! We never lacked for anything to do. The lectures were fantastic with four on board lecturers, including our resident historian. We only had 5 ports of call, all of them fascinating. And we stayed over in Barcelona, a wonderful city. Viking caters to ages 50+, so it is easy to meet people with like minds. We traveled with friends that we met on our Viking Bordeaux River Cruise. Our only complaint was the Air department, which kept changing our flights. Our travel agent was right on it, but we ended up paying to keep our original flights home, a long story. But on the whole, you can't beat Viking for food, service, and value. So, of course, we've signed up for another Ocean cruise in 2020. That will make our 8th Viking trip! Read Less

We wanted to try a cross ocean cruise and we loved our experience with Viking river cruises so we tried this one. We were not disappointed. The ship is lovely. The "culture" of the ship is similar to the river cruises in that people were friendly and easy to get to know. Getting on board was easy and the crew was more than willing to help with information. The Cabin had so much storage space that we didn't use it all! I tried the spa and found that the hot deep pools followed by the snow room took all the aches of travel away. Do try the snow room! I was timid but so glad I did. The spa is really lovely and totally free unless you want a treatment. As expected the food was excellent. We ate mostly in the dinning room for dinner and the specialty restaurants. The Chef's table was a delight! Such different plates and tastes-all beautifully prepared. Mamsens gave us a taste of Norway that surprised us by how much we enjoyed it. Especially the desserts! In the main dinning room here was always lively conversation at the tables. Of course if you want to eat with just your partner that is easily accomplished. Since we were going to be at sea for 6 days we opted for the premium package and were glad we did because the premium wines were carefully selected. The regular dinner wines were also good we just like to try different wines. We did not expect the entertainment to be good and we were pleasantly surprised. The troupe on our ship was wonderful and diverse, offering some really great evenings. The classical trio was also superb. I enjoyed the lectures as well. Particularly the series on Sea mammals and the challenges they face. When we arrived in port our shore excursions lived up to Vikings excellent reputation for informative in depth travel. Our first ports were just recovering from the horrible hurricanes but our excursion took us through it so we could really see and understand what had happened and what their future was. When we reached Spain we chose an optional trip to Seville that was dynamite. We saw so much and learned a lot. We will be remembering that day for years to come. We will be taking another cruise with Viking and can't wait. Read Less

Never been trans Atlantic, and sure don’t regret going with Viking of the Seas. The staff was most friendly and helpful. Will want to cruise again with Viking, maybe the northern route next time. After three days at sea and not seeing land was my only concern during the whole trip. The food selection was great. Served beautifully and nice portions.Viking sure provided a great selection of great entertainment . Don’t think I ever saw anything out of order or needing any attention. The carabiner Stewart was the most attentive I have ever had with any other cruise line. If one had to fine something to criticize, I guess would be selection of men’s clothing selections.On several occasions visited the spa for their services and was treated as only one there! Very professional each and every one. When planning the trip other than going trans Athletic sure wanted to see strait of Gibraltar, did not realize timing when we passed would be near midnight. Would have chosen different timing if known. Read Less

2nd time on viking ocean cruise. Will never choose another cruiseline. They got it right, cruise director Mark is not the cornball type like many others, has great taste in entertainment, which is superior to all the other cruises i have tried. Food is tops, no pretensions, same with service. Ship is pure elegance, so spacious. Whats not to like. Shore excursions well organized, one free for each port. Classical music all over the ship is high quality. Cant say enough about ,nordic spa. Steam room, sauna, snowbroom, hot pools, all included. My husband used gym every day, well equipped, never crowded. Scandinavian buffet for breakfast is great for late risers. Sticky buns at buffet breakfast are delish. Gelato flavors change daily. On our anniversary we received a special chocolate cake, one of the best i have ever tasted. Loved daily high tea in wintergarden with string quartet. Perfect cruising. Read Less

We had heard good reports about Viking River Cruises and when we saw this lovely itinerary on the relatively new Viking Ocean Cruise line we decided to give it a try. And we were delighted with our choice! One reason we selected this cruise was because we love days at sea. While 7-8 days at sea does not appeal at all to some travelers, my husband and I, who are retired, enjoy restful days when we don’t have to be up and ready early for an excursion. And there is so much to do on the ship during those days - the spa and pools, in-room movies, exercising and games on the deck and just watching the vast views from our veranda. But then this cruise had some lovely ports that we had not visited before and definitely wanted to see - Puerto Rico, Madeira, Tangier, Sevilla, and others that we returned to visit. One of the features of Viking cruises is that the excursions are all included. Of course, you can upgrade for a fee if there is a special spot or experience in a port that is not part of the included outings, but pricey excursions are not necessary. The entertainment was fine although we didn’t go to very many of the shows. We liked the lectures about the various ports, their histories and political issues. The lectures were recorded so we could watch them at our leisure. The food on the ship was exceptional with a nice variety of good quality and healthy options. There was always plenty of food and drinks available whenever we wanted them. Service was outstanding for the most part. Staff members seemed to be happy and to enjoy their jobs. Because we had such a good experience on this trip, we booked a future cruise onboard and took advantage of the discounts we were offered. Overall, we had a great experience and are looking forward to our next cruise on Viking. Read Less

My introduction to transatlantic crossings was aboard the legendary FRANCE, back in 1971. During the ensuing decades I’ve sailed aboard more than 60 passenger ships and have crisscrossed the Atlantic too many times to count. The VIKING SEA voyage I’m reviewing was the third Atlantic crossing my husband and I have made in twelve months. And it was our first time sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises. Departing San Juan, VIKING SEA crossed to Barcelona in 15 days, with en route calls at St. Maarten, Madeira, Tangier, Cadiz and Valencia. We found the ship to be light-filled, spacious and very attractive. The décor is what one might call relentlessly Scandinavian (reindeer pelts draped over sofas!), with a color palette comprised mostly of whites, shades of taupe and pale blues, accented with blonde woods. The overall look is elegant, if a bit severe, and will appeal to some passengers more than others. Hard surfaces predominate throughout the public rooms, ensuring that voices carry. (Often the very voices you wish didn’t…) VIKING SEA was kept scrupulously clean throughout our voyage. I don’t know when I’ve sailed on a more spic ‘n span ship. Our cabin was a Penthouse Verandah that was bright, roomy and comfortable. Wardrobe and drawer space was more than adequate for our two-weeks onboard. Clothes-hangers are wood and are not of that irritating, ‘anti-theft’ design. The large bed (with room underneath for luggage) was wonderful, though the pillows were too thick and too firm for us. (I don’t know why we didn’t ask if other types were available; our mistake.) The ship’s laundry and the complimentary pressing service were excellent. Blessed with beautiful weather all the way across the Atlantic, we slept each night with the door to our balcony open and enjoyed falling asleep to the sound of the waves. You can't beat that! Having crossed westbound five months previously aboard Windstar’s STAR BREEZE (the former SEABOURN SPIRIT), I couldn’t help but compare the two cabins. The use of deep, rich colors aboard STAR BREEZE, as well as the heavy curtain that can be drawn between the sleeping and living areas, gave that cabin a wonderfully cozy look and feel. I could have moved-in permanently. Our VIKING SEA accommodations on the other hand - all blonde woods and neutral-colored fabrics - felt coolly utilitarian; rather like a quiet corner in an airport business class lounge. I never warmed to it. The bathroom was fairly large, with a heated floor and good cabinet and drawer space. The lighting was not very well thought-out however, as it was directed in the wrong directions. The roomy shower produced an absolute torrent of hot water at all times. But the glass door didn’t quite meet the marble sill, so we were always having to mop-up water that had leaked onto the floor. Our hard-working room stewards - one from China and the other from the Philippines - were always eager to please, friendly, immaculately groomed, and completely professional. In fact, all of the personnel whom I would consider to be ‘junior‘ staff or crew were extremely personable. We never walked past anyone cleaning a window or touching-up paint who didn’t greet us with a big smile and a friendly word. It was only those who’d attained a higher rank onboard who sometimes exhibited a bit of an attitude. So far, mostly all good. But I’ve yet to mention the cuisine… And that’s where Viking really disappointed us, because the majority of our meals were mediocre at best. And some were just downright bad. Too many of the hot entrees reminded me of corporate cafeteria fare; unimaginatively thought-out and prepared. Self-serve items sometimes sat-out far too long, such as slices of pizza that dried-out under the heat lamps. A celebration dinner in Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant was so salty we couldn’t finish it. (And we heard the same complaint from other passengers.) The onboard restaurants are oddly managed. Mismanaged, I’d call it. Imagine being told by various maitres d’, over the course of two weeks, “I’m sorry, but there are no tables-for-two available next to a window.” And then, after being seated in the middle of a restaurant, being asked by the waiter “Wouldn’t you prefer that table-for-two over there by the window?” This happened over and over! At the end of yet another evening of musical chairs, I wryly commented to the maitre d’ “You and your colleagues gaze intently into that computer of yours, looking for available tables, and yet you don’t seem to know which tables actually ARE available. So really, what is the purpose of passengers lining-up to check-in with you for a table assignment? You tell us the table we want isn’t available, and then the waiter assigned to serve us tells us it is!” I received a chilly, tight-lipped stare. This awkward disconnect, almost every time we went to dine, was something we have never experienced aboard other ships. In truth, the whole open-seating concept seems just beyond Viking’s capabilities, since there was always an impatient line of diners waiting to be seated, not only at the ‘come when you like’ main Restaurant, but at reservations-required Manfredi’s and The Chef’s Table as well. On one occasion, arriving late in the evening for dinner in The Restaurant, I asked the maître d’ on duty why we couldn’t be seated at an empty window table-for-two, clearly visible across the room. “Because there is no one to re-set that table” was the response. I had to bite my tongue, because I really wanted to say “Excuse me? FIND someone to re-set it.” I was pretty much DONE with dining on VIKING SEA at that point. I kept that thought to myself only because it was obvious the staff members in all of VIKING SEA’s restaurants were working furiously, meal after meal, seldom pausing for an instant. (Forget exchanging a few pleasantries with the person serving you. They haven’t the time!) Many of the younger staff seemed rather overwhelmed, and at times, unsure of their duties. At the start of a dinner with wine-pairings in The Chef’s Table, the white wines we were to be served with specific courses were all poured into our glasses at the same time by the young wine stewardess. When we said we’d like to have the white wine for the later course poured along with that course, so that it would be chilled, she was clearly unhappy. Our request meant, of course, that she would have to make more than one trip to our table. I understood that she may have had too many tables to serve on her own, but the staff’s excessive work load shouldn’t become the passenger’s problem. It often did when dining aboard VIKING SEA. Our waiter in Manfredi’s apologized for our evening’s chaotic service, confiding “Viking has taken away our waiters’ assistants. And on top of that, tonight is the first night with this new menu…” He was clearly stressed, which hardly made for the elegant dining experience Viking’s promotional materials extol. But then as I mentioned earlier, the food was too salty to enjoy anyway. And there were more problems to come… The expensive bottle of Veuve Clicquot that I’d requested – 24 hours in advance – be placed in an ice-bucket one hour before the time of our dinner reservation, arrived at the table only slightly chilled and with a dry paper label – a sure sign the bottle had not been iced. And then, at the end of the meal, the birthday cake I’d arranged as a surprise for my husband never materialized. When I later voiced my disappointment to the maître d’ with whom I’d made the arrangements, and who had carefully noted my requests for the Champagne and the cake in his small notebook, he offered only a sheepish shrug in the way of an apology, and blamed the sommelier for forgetting to ice the wine. Now honestly, icing a bottle of Champagne and arranging for a birthday cake should not be beyond the capabilities of anyone overseeing a restaurant – on land or sea. Failing to follow through on both of my requests was inexcusable. Offerings at the self-serve World Café were the most meager and the most haphazardly-prepared we’ve encountered on any cruise ship. (Dried-out, lukewarm scrambled eggs at breakfast...)That VIKING SEA’s galleys could turn-out so many sub-standard food items over the course of two weeks was a major let-down. Especially considering Viking’s lofty per diems! By way of comparison, we crossed eastbound last spring, from Cartagena to Lisbon, aboard Pullmantur’s MONARCH (the former MONARCH OF THE SEAS). Spanish-owned Pullmantur is hardly a high-end cruise line, yet the food served onboard was consistently impressive. Every meal we were served in the dining room was delicious, and the choices and quality of the myriad items available at the early morning-to-late night buffet were amazing. It was some of the best food I’ve ever enjoyed on any ship. Our VIKING SEA crossing cost us five times more than our junior suite aboard the MONARCH. Five times. Proving once again that paying more doesn’t necessarily guarantee getting more! Filling-out the comment card distributed prior to disembarkation, I suggested to Viking that “rather than rapidly adding one new ship after another to your fleet, perhaps you should consider investing more heavily in the ships – and the employees - you already have.” Maybe then we’d consider sailing with Viking again. But in the meantime, my husband and I are cancelling a previously-booked 2020 Viking cruise in Asia. We don’t want to risk being disappointed a second time. Read Less

Transatlantic from San Juan to Barcelona with stops in Madeira, Tangier, and Cadiz. The ship is beautiful! The food was excellent no matter the venue. Enjoyed the entertainment and movies with discussion groups afterward. The Meet & Mingle was outstanding—cocktails, hot appetizers and officers who truly wanted to engage. There are outdoor fitness machines on the sports deck for those who prefer to enjoy ocean sounds rather than gym noises. Lots of nooks and small group gathering space on the outdoor decks. Loved having laundry facilities on each floor—including an ironing board. Let us pack less with no expense. Free detergent (or you can use your own). Great social spot as we waited for a washer or dryer to open up. Lots of men doing the laundry! Viking also lets you bring your own liquor and wine aboard with no corkage fees. Wine and beer offered freely at lunch and dinner but cocktails are reasonably priced. They treat adults like adults. One initial challenge was loud banging noises in our cabin. The first night there were six crew members including head of housekeeping in our cabin trying to figure out where the noise was coming from. Because cruise was sold out, told no other cabin. Next day, noise was worse. Someone had canceled so we were moved—no noise! Finally a good night sleep! Someone else had also complained about noise and was moved to our old cabin but said the noise was worse so moved back to their previous cabin. Two days later, we found the problem—a ratchet strap hitting the metal on a lifeboat which was right under a vent pipe at our old cabin. Suggested they pad it—maintenance showed up immediately and did so. End of noise. Responsiveness to our complaint was immediate and taken seriously. Commend housekeeping, maintenance and guest relations. Stellar. Loved the heated bathroom floors! Lovely cabins with luxurious bathrooms. Public spaces are inviting. Different music (not loud!) rotated between—a string trio, pianist, jazz, etc. My husband is a singer and would’ve liked a passenger choir to fill some of the Sea days. The CD said he’d been lobbying for one so would keep trying. All in all, loved this cruise. We met more people on this cruise than any other. Signed up for two more in future cruises. Read Less