Happy explorer

Just back from 4067.  Excellent.  In fact been on 5 Ocean Cruises with Viking and the cabins  have all been so comfortable.

We found the Chernobyl museum.  It is not glitzy and not large  but a tribute to those who lost their lives trying to stop things getting worse.  Full of information, photos and memories of people.   It was a real eye opener - especially the harm done and all the things we never knew at the time.  An eye opener about nuclear power if not regulated properly and about how the Soviet system worked.

This is an interesting trip and a great way to see Kiev and Odessa and chat to local people.  We felt very safe in both cities and were happy to leave the boat even in the evening to go into the city on foot.  

Ukraine has struggled-both in the past and even today and understanding where it is in time and space helps.  It is really trying hard against difficult odds.  The crew are mostly Ukrainien, friendly, and more than happy to chat.  They come from different towns you will visit and just love it when you say something nice about their home town.  By talking to them you can gain some insight into the country.  Some are Ukrainien speakers and some Russian speakers but all saw themselves as Ukrainien.  They are in a difficult situation squashed between the EU and Russia and need all the support they can get.  

The food and the wines are locally sourced which is different from other Viking trips but the boat has been well refurbished and the cabins were excellent.  We went to the Opera House which was lovely and did most of the organised trips -  also wandered on our own.  Some lovely wee churches people are so proud of in surprising places. We also found the Chernobyl museum - not flashy but very humbling.

There is very little traffic on the river and Viking are doing a good thing being there. The locks were interesting too ........ enjoy 

Yes same sailing Gail.

Thank you to all those posting reviews and comments. They are very helpful. Still not too sure whether to book the opera in advance or to go on the meal out in Odessa

No so any information is useful. This is the first year of Viking’s return and we are also interested about how it is going

We are also booked on the Sineus but later in September and finding these comments and reviews very useful. Thanks.