Folkaltered

We were on the Oosterdam in August, the Chocolate Extravaganza was a chocolate buffet served by waiters walking around the music walk area one evening, lots of chocolate dipped marshmallows and goodies, mini cupcakes, chocolate candies etc, plenty for everyone. High tea was served in the MDR a few times during our cruise

Our Signature Suite on the OOsterdam in August had a small vase with a few green flowers...

Do they have any Gluten Free items at tea?

Thanks,

Michele

Yes

Yes, Wintergarden serves a gluten-free tea selection. On the Star in January they served a plate with gf sandwiches, macaroons and cream and jam. Not a large selection, but very nice for afternoon tea.

Very exciting! Just returned home two weeks ago from a Signature Suite, Venice to Rome. Amazing! Check out the Signature Experience if offered! The balcony is a great size, two lounge chairs, two regular chairs and you’re right, a small dining height round table. We enjoyed our (room service) coffee out there every morning, quite often pulling into a new beautiful port, and we enjoyed the sunsets out there, and naps on those loungers. I was tempted to sleep on the balcony. Enjoy your trip!!

We were just in Messina a couple of weeks ago. There are little storefront delis, cafes and bakeries sprinkled around ground floor storefronts throughout the main square, a very easy walk from the ship. Something not to miss, the cathedral in the main square has an incredible clock tower that puts on a show at noon. Google it, it’s amazing, with a golden rooster that crows, a golden lion that roars, etc. there’s a sidewalk cafe near the clock tower if you want lunch, drinks and free WiFi. There’s also a big crowd in the square to watch the clock tower show, as well as a viewing stand:).

My sisters and I are on this cruise as well. There is a good roll call for the trip, you’ll want to check it out. Lots of tour ideas there. See you on the ship!

Thank you for your review, we are going to do this in August as well, and are very much looking forward to it!

Thank you so much for this review! We are doing this in August and are really looking forward to it!

We did this itinerary in January of this year on the Star. Got to see some of the Viking Christmas decor:) the weather that time of year is unpredictable of course. We had high winds that caused us to not go ashore (as in no gangplank) on two of our days, so we missed our last days tour( a day in Tuscany) and a visit to St Tropez. We had a beautiful day in Marseille, a gorgeous day in Monte Carlo, no crowds! And a windy, rainy, day but no crowds on a private tour day in Pisa and Florence. We made good use of the indoor pools, spa, restaurant and Wintergarden. Great. Food and service!

We will be in Venice August 2-3 with the signature experience too, kind of excited to hear more details, kind of looking forward to a surprise...

Great suggestions!!

We are three sisters, cruising on HAL in August 2018 from Venice to Rome

I always enjoy reading books based on the areas I'm traveling to and thought others might enjoy this one as well. The Unfinished Palazzo (Life, Love and Art in Venice) by Thames & Hudson is about a Venetian palazzo that was owned in turn by three women, Luisa Casati, Doris Castlerosse and Peggy Guggenheim. It's a wonderful history as well as an inspiring description of what me may all see in Venice!

As others have posted, I worry about safety in my car most days... in the air, not really

We were on the Star in January. The seats do kind of fill of quickly, so I'd suggest getting to tea near the start time to get the seat you want. We sat near the pianist a couple of times and enjoyed a bit of banter with him. You get a tea menu to choose the flavor tea you want, and a tiered tray of sweet and savory treats. Enjoy!

Prior to our January 2018 cruise on the Viking Star we received a zippered wool pouch embroidered with a motto, the right size to hold tickets, passport, etc. and two red leather luggage tags along with our cruise documents.

Just traveled on Viking Star in January. Group of three, ages 57-75. We met several college students cruising with their grand parents, one 20-something newlywed couple, and I'd say the average ages were 60-70. The lectures, shows,spa, nightclub, afternoon tea,bars, restaurants were always full of interesting people, and it was very easy to strike up conversations. I do agree that the "show" music can use an update. The nightclub band was very good and more timely and took requests for anything. There was truly a mix of active and relaxed people. You'll find your tribe....

Just cruised on the Star in January 2018, the restaurant manager personally gave me the daily menu to the restaurant and the waiters were very knowledgeable and had the chef come out to talk to me on one occasion, over the top service for a dietary need in my book.

We were on the Viking Star January 2018, Barcelona to Civitivecchia. The ship was lovely. Everything looked clean and new to me. The Wifi was pretty good, there were some times that it didn't work, but most of the time it was good.

We just cruised in January with three sisters. Elder sister had her own room, which she enjoyed:) One tip, when we made reservations before hand for dining, we were told the tables were for 2 or 4 people, so we reserved for 2 and added the third when we arrived on board with no problems.

I always envy people who can sleep on planes, that's not me. A few tip I've found, don't drink alcohol or coffee on the flight, but lots of water and light meals (bring your own). As the other people say, hit the ground running, a find a naps just keep jet lag spiraling. Get plenty of fresh air, if you can, walk around the decks, eat outside, get lots of sunshine and retire after dark. You may not feel like it, but light meals, minimum alcohol and exercise can help the groggy jet lag feeling.

Just returned from Viking Star Barcelona-Rome. I used the Whatsapp app of my cellphone and called home every day, free and clear

Celiac person here:) Just returned from Viking Star Barcelona-Rome in January

I was very happy with the food, and I ate more than my share:)

Every day the Restaurant manager handed me or had delivered to my room the dinner menu for The Restaurant. I was able to make great choices. Menu items were marked GF on the menu and on the buffet.

Afternoon tea had a gluten free assortment-a scone, some sandwiches and macaroons.

The gf bread at dinner was good, not a wide assortment like regular diners, but ok.

The buffet offered some gf desserts, and of course gelato:)

There were so many foods that are naturally gf, like seafood, fruits, vegetables, salads, chicken wings at the pool grill,

that I most certainly did not go hungry.

At Mamsens I just asked for a bowl of berries, at breakfast and other meals, you can ask for gf bread.

At the World Cafe I really appreciated that entrees and sides were clearly marked gf.

My sisters and I just returned from the Viking Star. We ate in the Chef's Table one night. Two of us enjoyed the set menu concept and one did not-but I think it was more the concept of not being able to choose that she didn't like;} The menu on the night we went was titled "Sweet and Salty" here;s the menu to give you an idea:

Amouse Bouche

Tomato & Watermelon Gazpacho

First Course

Grilled Scallop with beet root and passion fruit

Granita

Prosciutto & melon

Main Course

Veal Ternderloin with pumpkin & red onion marmalade

Dessert

Strawberry & Basil Delight with Grand Marnier Cream, basil jelly and black Hawaiian lava salt

Bread Basket and wine paired with course

optional upsell for finer wines

Smaller portions as in a fine dining restaurant

Manfredi's was AMAZING! Large portions and the Bisteca Florentina and Grand Marnier Souffle- I'm still dreaming of that meal

Just traveled from Barcelona (Madrid pre-stay) to Rome with Viking. Your travel documents are great, and they come in a beautiful wool pouch, and with leather Viking luggage tags and Viking stickers to put on your shirt when you arrive. The Viking driver met us with with our names on a sig, drove us to the hotel, where a Viking representative checked us in, gave us info and was always available. If you are going straight to your ship, the driver will take you there. All of our transfers were quick and easy with Viking.