Mrs Miggins

Saw David on Viking a couple of weeks ago. He must be very busy as his program of well known music is ideal for a wide audience and works well onboard a cruise ship.

Thanks for your review; Brings back memories of being in Sorrento on the wonderful Royal Clipper (although I think it is Star Clipper in your photo). Also been there many times on Azamara including just this April on lovely cruise on Quest from Barcelona to Ravenna. The Amalfi coast is wonderful and looking forward to your photos of the Dalmation coast.

I first encountered "English" Muffins in the US in the 1980's. Of course I didnt recognise anything English about them - although they are quite nice. Now they are on sale everywhere (Waitrose : pack of 4 English Muffins £1.50). Not to be confused with "Muffins" which are the individual cake like products often with blueberries or chocolate chips, available from the bar in the Living Room. Everything is so complicated ! Actually I prefer crumpets since they absorb more butter and do not require splitting in two before being toasted. I know, I know some Muffins come ready cut, I also need a life. No cruises booked til 2023.

I have just been reading a thread on the Azamara board which covered more or less the same time frame as our recent Viking Sky voyage at the end of September. Some of the ports were the same. We missed Monaco due to high winds and had a sea day. Many from the US were very disappointed as that was a bucket list destination. Apparently Azamara had a similar situation and relocated to Nice, which pleased everyone. I have also been onboard Azamara in the Greek Islands where Santorini was changed from the itinerary to Mykonos to avoid 5 ships and the resulting overcrowding. We went to Santorini next day which was much quieter. Does Viking have the ability to be flexible at the last minute in the same way ?

Haven't seen bubble and squeak on an English menu for many many years and it would never have featured with breakfast in the south. More likely home cooked on a Monday if there was left over Potato and cabbage from the Sunday dinner. Perhaps it still exists in Scotland or the North of England in restaurants. I am sure it is still cooked in some homes and is perhaps due a comeback although in a restaurant it would probably command a fancy price. However your menu sounds delicious although I would have to lay down for a couple of hours afterwards. In fact at home, since we rarely have a cooked breakfast, we sometimes have a "fry up" for dinner.

The Bacon onboard Sky was also bad. Two choices "English Bacon" pale, wet, undercooked and nasty. It had certainly not been grilled or fried or even baked. I asked for it to be cooked more and the lovely crew tried to fry it in a pan. Not terribly successful but better than nothing. The "crispy" bacon varied from being so crispy that it shattered when cut, to being undercooked in the same serving dish. Hunt the bacon that suited the individual was a morning ritual with lots of people. The offering being turned over and over in order to select an acceptable serving from the tray. I guess the toast problem is because it is DIY and the basket next to the toaster only had two choices. I guess it would be possible to toast other bread which was in baskets but not cut in suitable slices.

We always loved Quest but based on current information we are really looking forward to Journey next June. Thank you for your review.

I was on the same cruise as "combine" and Darren was very new as Assistant Cruise Director. We loved him and so glad he is doing well. Very personable as well as extremely talented. Really hope he is on Journey next June.

Large numbers of tourists of any nationality mean popular places are less pleasant. Everybody on a cruise ship adds to the problem. We are a large part of the problem whether we are from the USA or Europe or anywhere else. I have stayed on several of the smaller Greek Islands and would have been horrified to see hordes of cruise passengers arrive.

On Sky 24th Sept - 1st Oct there were no maps. This perfectly illustrates my point in post 34. The ships remain beautiful but the onboard experience is different. I think you were on Sea. On our previous Viking cruises maps have been available. Perhaps there is a shortage of paper onboard Sky.

I think research is the key. I would always research any new port on our itinerary. One of the benefits is you can find out what is happening locally when you are there. There are often local events/fiesta's etc. To be honest the onboard knowledge on Viking is often very sketchy. They don't even hand out local maps any more. When I queried this recently I was told that it was in an effort to save paper. I said could you not print say 20 and replenish if necessary. I got a smile in reply but that was all. A case in point is Portsmouth. Even a very minor search of the local attractions would suffice to show up The Mary Rose, The Victory and surrounding areas of cafe's etc etc

I find all these reviews interesting. Everyone is entitled to their opinion if they have been on a Viking cruise. For those who cruise with other cruise companies they can offer a review based on their own likes and dislikes and how Viking met their expectations. My own recent experience was that our Sky 7 day cruise fell short of our experience on our previous four Viking cruises. It was still enjoyable but I was able to make a valid comparison. I have been discussing our cruises with a good friend who is just off a 14 day Jupiter Homelands cruise which has been documented on here by SailorPaulH. Her experience was different to mine. Different cruise director, different (and apparently very visible) captain, different chef etc etc. The beautiful ships remain constant but the onboard experience is also about the people who work onboard and of course the passengers. I had a good cruise but it was not as good as our previous Viking cruises. I am the only one who can make that judgement.

We were scheduled to dock there in April and that was confirmed by the local cruise timetables However a few days before departure we were relocated to Ravenna. Viking usually dock in Marghera but recently have been relocated to Chioggia. I hope it works out for you, but the situation is still very changeable.

We saw her onboard in Dubrovnik pre covid. This was due to pouring rain. Still impressive but nowhere near as good as the outdoor setting apparently.

Excellent review. but no mention of Torshaven or the Spa. Both great favourites of ours. However I do agree with most of your review, Didnt book another cruise onboard for the first time.

Really hope you enjoy your cruise. I did love the extra benefits of the CC suite. We are all allowed to like more than one cruise company. I hope you add Azamara to your list of preferred options.

According to another site passengers have been given a 40% cash refund.

Hi, I remember you well from the Viking board. I believe you have had some issues with Viking as well and are a robust critic if things go wrong. In 2022 I have been on an Azamara B2B which was very good, a French River Cruise on Scenic (splendid, unlike I think your Viking one) and just returned from Viking Sky, which was OK but not as good as on our previous Viking cruises. Our first meal in The Restaurant was awful. Our Azamara cruise in terms of food, crew, itinerary and entertainment (I know you do not attend entertainment venues) was better than our Viking one. We were also upgraded to a CC suite on Azamara and I enjoyed the experience so much we booked a really good 14 day itinerary next June in the same suite. Unusually I did not book another Viking cruise onboard. One of their main problems are the recurring itineraries with no new destinations in the Med. Beautiful ships though.

Well "Liars' would have been better on our unexpected sea day. Baggo was OK for about 10 minutes. We did have a quite interesting "chat with the singers" hosted by the CD during which the 4 young singers recounted their career path and interview process with Viking. They were nice kids from the UK - only wish they had been given more to do during our 7 day cruise. Also shown the backstage area which is really small.

What is the Liars Club? I did witness the Baggo - crew and one of the Captains apparently enjoyed it very much.

We just saw David and Maria onboard Viking Sky. They were fabulous.

Are any of these people from the days of Richard Twynam ? In those days we had an excellent resource and a UK ability to sort our problems as well as promote the product. I didn't think there were any UK employees after he left. It certainly didnt feel like it. One of the many reasons I like Azamara is the mix of Nationalities onboard. On our recent Quest cruise the numbers of those from the UK and those from the US were equal, and that is just how I like it.

I think itineraries are one of the major problems with Viking in the area we want to travel in. Their Mediterranean offerings are to places we have been to on numerous occasions However I understand because their demographic is largely North American then these "must see" ports will appeal to first time visitors because they have heard of them and are fairly near the most well known historical sites and cities.

Actually the products in the Spa changing rooms are fabulous and from the range that they sell at very high prices.

We went to Pisa on Friday afternoon - it poured - not Viking's fault but my point was that on a previous Viking included tour to Pisa we were taken inside both the Duomo and the Baptistry by the Trumpy Tours guide. This time we were only walked around the outside. That is a significant decline in the tour. The main jets in the spa pool were working but the two additional ones to the left and right were not. No bid deal but it shows a lack of attention. After my first spa visit the two showers in the changing rooms had no shampoo, conditioner or body wash in the containers. Waited for an attendant who had to go away and get big containers to refill them. Another guest was in a hurry to get out as she had a hair appointment so it was very frustrating for her. I do not remember any incidents like this previously as again it shows lack of attention. I do love Viking but not quite as much as I did.