We have just returned from the above 7 day cruise. It is our 4th Viking Ocean cruise. There were approx 800 passengers with about 35 from the UK.
Ship: Beautiful as ever, Spa great except not all the water jets working in the large pool. Never fixed during the week.
We were in a DV6 3072. Cabin great and well looked after.
Crew: Plentiful and willing if not always quite on the ball.
Entertainment - patchy. The 4 singers from the UK were good but there was only one "Abba show" in the Theatre, One deck party, a few songs on the Viking 25th anniversary in the Atrium on our last day timed at 8 p.m. after a promotional film. At 9 they showed a film in the theatre. The assistant CD did a show at 8 in the Atrium but for us that is right in the middle of dinner. There were two shows by a 'pickpocket/magician' both at 9.15. Pretty bad we didnt go to the second show which was apparently even worse. Great 'Night at the Opera" show by David Righeschi and Maria Salvini. We have seen them before on Azamara.
Torshaven with Viking Band from 9 p.m. onwards was great. Why are these talented artists seemingly locked underground ? Most people never went to Torshaven. On the last night they were playing their hearts out to 12 people at 11 p.m. I know that was our last night, but many others were staying onboard.
King the Guitarist was splendid. Playing in the Explorers Lounge at 6 p.m. Difficult to find a seat. He also had other sets around the ship. Very popular.
The Classical duet in the Atrium were largely playing to an empty room.
Excursions: We did the included Tarragona, OK but I just wished the likeable guide would stop and draw breath occasionally. In Sete we did an optional excursion to the Chateau Florgergues. A tour of the house, a glimpse of the lovely gardens and a wine tasting hosted by the very engaging 10th generation owner. Then on to Monpelier. Lovely" Place de la Comedie" main square. Bailed out on the walking tour as wanted at least some time to drink coffee and people watch in lovely surroundings. From Marseilles we did the optional Aix en Provence, but really just used it as a bus service since we had been many times before we wanted to go it alone. Really lovely town.
Monaco: We missed, despite being anchored in the morning it was decided the tender operation could not go ahead due to wind and swell. Many, many disappointed passengers as for some this was meant to be the highlight. We just sailed very slowly towards our last port Livorno. Actually the weather was lovely so an enforced sea day. The CD read out some words to make us all feel better. It certainly contained the words "We are Vikings, we have salt in our hair, we will go forth despite setbacks" etc etc. Just a tad over the top! However a game of "baggy " crew against passengers was quickly set up and we all felt so much better.
Livorno: Weather had turned. The whole day tours to Florence were too much for us, as happily we have been several times before. So we just stayed in Livorno in the morning and returned to the Spa in the afternoon. Decided that was too boring for the last day so booked the included Pisa excursion for the last afternoon. Sadly the weather was awful. We had heavy rain. The walk from the coach park was difficult for some. We were handed over to a Tour Guide and walked around the "Piazza dei Miracoli" in the rain. We had done this tour before with Viking pre covid and had been taken inside the Duomo and the Baptistry with an excellent guide. This time we just stood outside. Very poor in my opinion and the value of the included excursions seems to be diminishing.
Buses/Coaches All very acceptable and comfortable.
Dining Breakfast in the World Cafe : Good choice but I wish someone would learn how to cook "English" bacon. That awful tray of wet, pale, slices.
What do they do with it ? I asked a couple of times for some to be fried for me. That really didnt work. I will say the crispy bacon was often not very crispy either.
The Restaurant: First visit was really bad. Staff just seemed untrained. They had difficulty with the silver spirits wine. My husband's Chicken Kiev was huge, dry,, and contained not a hint of garlic. We did mention this and then everybody came to apologise including the Chief Chef. Very apologetic. Apart from anything else it was served on a bed of wet braised cabbage. We asked why and were told that the menus were all designed by Head Office and the Chef had no input at all. We did visit the Restaurant later in the cruise and were served by an entirely different team and all was well.
Philip the Maitre d' in Manfredi's squeezed us in 3 times. The restaurant did not appear busy although said to be fully booked. Wine service was good. Food acceptable but this is not 'Fine' Dining . No real presentation involved. Food was fine, not great. Waitresses charming.
We had one visit to the Chef's Table, and despite liking it on our previous cruises, this time the menu did not really suit. I am not a fish lover. I did eat the some of the 'prawns' in the Oriental menu but the dessert was poor. I am sure some of the other menus would have been fine but I really dislike the lack of choice. I understand of course that it is a set menu. On talking with other guests I am not alone in wishing there was at least an either/or for each course. Again the restaurant did not seem full.
All in all we enjoyed our cruise but for the first time we have not booked anything else whilst onboard.