Live from Viking Spirit

[patrickmoran]

Anne and I boarded yesterday for Viking's Paris and Heart of Normandy river cruise. This is our 2nd Viking cruise and 2nd river cruise. We booked the cruise for the itinerary but got a great deal from Viking - free airfare.

We left Miami Thursday afternoon on United and arrived in Paris Friday about 10:30 am. Viking took us to the ship docked near the Eiffel Tower. After a light lunch buffet, we walked to a nearby art museum. Last night's dinner was very good. I am taking pictures of the dinner menus and will post them later in the review.

Today we took the walking tour of Montmatre which Viking nown offers in case you've already done Paris as we have. The tour includes about an hour bus ride before and after, a 2hr walking tour and about an hour on your own. It was perfect for us. I think there were 20 on the tour so a nice size group.

More later.

[patrickmoran]

Correction regarding the tour. The walking tour was about an hour plus and free time was an hour plus. The tour was nominally 9 am to 12:30 pm. We were pretty close to that.

[Alberta Quilter]

Thank you for your reports. I leave in about 10 days for the same cruise!

[notamermaid]

Thank you for your report. Good to hear you are close to the Eiffel Tower. This docking issue has been a disappointed with cruisers on the new longships this year, as the docking is within Paris but on the outskirts rather than close to the Eiffel Tower or thereabouts. I hope your cruise will continue to be great after the nice start you have had to it.

 

A bit of sentimental feeling here with me as Viking is phasing out the older design ships and it appears they will soon only have the longships. New advanced technology (engine and stuff) and unique design, but I prefer the traditional hull design of the Pride and the Spirit.

 

It has been reported in a thread earlier this autumn that the Spirit will be sold (note that I am using the word sold but that does not tell the full story, as the ownership of the vessel is complicated, one cannot accurately just say Viking owns it). I have not heard anything about a new owner / cruising company / charter yet. Of course, the vessel will not keep its name.

 

Have a great cruise, patrickmoran and Alberta Quilter.

 

notamermaid

[patrickmoran]

Today was Giverny and Claude Monet's home and gardens. We were lucky and had beautiful weather! The flowers are still blooming but past their prime. The autumn colors make up for that. The water lilies seemed pretty limp so that was a bit of disappointment. But we had a great tour and enjoyed.

It is a short bus ride to the site. We walked through the 1st garden, then the house, and finally the water lily pond with the Japanese bridge. You have to keep moving but plenty of opportunities for pix. We had 45 mintues to an hour of free time. I wish I had stayed in the gardens and wandered back through just maximize my time there. We went into the gift shop, wandered around a bit, sat and had a coffee. Then back on the ship and return to Vernon. The tour was 9 am to 12:30 pm.

For lunch today was the Taste of Normandy buffet and chocolate fountain. It was in the lounge and the dining room. Quite tasty!

This afternoon I walked around Vernon and visited the Musee de Vernon. The museum was ok. Most shops were closed because it is Sunday. Though surprisingly, Vernon did not seem to be much of a tourist town. The shops seem more for the residents. The stained glass windows in the church near the pier are beautiful and worth the short walk.

[patrickmoran]

This morning we are cruising to Rouen. It is cool, grey and foggy. We were very lucky in yesterday's weather.

I thought I would backfill some information. On Sunday, our 2nd day, the Captain's reception was held. Wine, champagne, beer and soda were provided plus appetizers. After it was over, we left Paris. It looked like another Viking ship was waiting to dock. On Monday night before dinner was the repeat cruisers reception. There they provided drinks, wine, beer, water, and sodas plus appetizers.

We have Cabin 300 whic is a good location. It is right next to the seating area in the atrium. So step out the door and around the corner and you have a nice sitting area. There isnot much free space in the cabin so this is very convenient. Then the reception desk, coffee machine, and lounge are down the stairs and close.

Viking, for whatever reason, gave us $250 OBC. It turns out you can not use that to pay the gratuities. So we either booze it up, buy stuff in the "shop" or take an extra excursion. Or all of the above. We decided to do the tour to Versailles which is €79 per person. It is a bit steep but its their money and it is use it or lose it.

Edited October 26, 2015 by patrickmoran

[Alberta Quilter]

Great that you got OBC from Viking! We're also considering the optional tour to Versailles, in spite of the cost. I think this will be easier for my elderly mother so I'm very much interested in your report of the tour.

 

Thanks for the good wishes, notamermaid!

Edited October 26, 2015 by Alberta Quilter

[patrickmoran]

Today was Rouen. We arrived around lunchtime. We docked about 2 or 3 blocks from the cathedral. Walking tours left at 1:45 pm. I am deaf so I skipped the narrated tour and went on my own. Rouen is a great city. Very metropolitan, with lots of shops, restaurants, cafes, pastry shops, and chocolate shops. There is a fair amount to see and all close to the ship. It looked like there was plenty of public transportation if one wanted to go farther afield.

I walked up to the cathedral, toured it and walked down Rue de Gros Horloge to Church of Sainte Jeanne (Joan for us anglophiles) D'Arc. From there I went to Musee Des Beaux-Arts. For €5, I spent an hour or so touring the galleries. They had 3 small galleries of Impressionist paintings (one of my focuses for this trip). Stopped and got a pastry on the way back to the ship.

The included walking tours took about 2 hours. The ship had very good maps of Rouen.

 

Some info regarding the afternoon in Vernon that I forgot to mention. For free was a walking tour. The ship is docked right in the heart of town. As I mentioned, there's not much there and we were there on Sunday so little was open. The tour probably lasted an hour, maybe less.

Also, for €10 there was a painting class held aboard in the lounge. Looked like people enjoyed it.

[Rosethorn40]

Thank you for taking the time to write. This particular cruise is on my list, with about 4 or 5 others (and that's just European river!), so trying to decide what is next is difficult.

[patrickmoran]

Yesterday was the tours to D-Day beaches. We took the American tour. We left at 8 am and drove 2 hours to Juno beach for a drive. By. Then drove by Gold beach and arrived at Arromanches. We got there at 10:30 am to tour the museum and free time. Then we walked to a restaurant for lunch, salad, chicken & potatoes, dessert and coffee with wine, soda, and water. Then drove to German gun emplacements where we had 30 minutes of free time. Then to the American cemetery above Omaha beach. There was a brief ceremony then we had an hour plus free time. Then we drove down to Omaha beach and had about 30 minutes to walk on the beach. Then a 2 plus hour bus ride back to the ship. We got back at 6:30 pm. A long day but worthwhile.

[Alberta Quilter]

I'm glad you found your D-Day tour worthwhile. Was there also a Commonwealth tour? That's what I'm interested in. If there was, was there a point when you met up with them, like at lunch? Another poster had previously reported that the Commonwealth tour went to see the Bayeux tapestry in the morning, met up with the American group for lunch and it sounded like all toured together afterward.

[patrickmoran]

I did not notice if the people on the Commonwealth tour had the same afternoon stops that we did. I don't think that they went to the American cemetery or Omaha beach. I'll try and confirm with the program director tomorrow.

[patrickmoran]

Today was pretty leisurely. We cruised up the river to Les Andelys. The fall foliage wasmgreat and we had good weather. We arrived at 1:30 pm and left at 3:30 pm. I hiked up to ruins of Chateau Gaillard. There was a guided tour up to it also. Very steep walk but worth the view. I paid to go in the ruins but there really isn't much to see. Back to the village, check out the church (lovely stained glass windows) and pick up a couple of small prints. There are a couple of really good galleries nad painters in town.

We had french tea and patries after leaving. This evening was the Captain's farewell toast but he was driving so his2nd in command. They had the usual sparkling wine and appetizers. Dinner was a special menu and very good.

[Alberta Quilter]

I did not notice if the people on the Commonwealth tour had the same afternoon stops that we did. I don't think that they went to the American cemetery or Omaha beach. I'll try and confirm with the program director tomorrow.

 

Thank you. Please don't go to any trouble to find out; we'll know soon enough and it won't bother us one way or another.

 

Thank you again for your reports!

[patrickmoran]

Here's the scoop:

1. Go to Tapestry Bayeux

2. Lunch in Arromanches but no visit to the museum

3. Juno Canadian Museum

4. Canadian cemetery

5. Pepanes Bridge

6. British cemetery

 

She did not give me times but maybe someone who has been on the tour can fill in the details.

[patrickmoran]

Sigh, the cruise is coming to an end. Boo-hoo!

Today was Conflans. There was a walking tour but we took the extra tour to Versailles. We left at 8 am and it took about 50 minutes to get there. We were there before it opened at 9 am. Not too many people. Unfortunately, shortly after we entered the fire alarm went off and we had to leave the building. It didn't take them long to clear the problem (probably a false alarm) and we reentered about 9:30 am. That made it more crowded and people were testy about being jammed up. Our tour was of the royal apartments and upper part of the chapel. Then we had an hour or so on our own. Unfortunately, the weather was foggy, cold and windy. I did not wear heavy enough clothing to hang out in the gardens. We walked around some and then headed back to the busses. It took about 30 minutes to get back because there was no traffic. We were back about 12:30 pm. The ship left about 1:15 or so.

This afternoon was cruising back to Paris. Because of low bridges they took all the awnings down, kicked people off the upper, upper deck, and lowered the bridge! I was up there for one bridge and they made you sit down if you wanted to be up there. We docked about 6:45 pm.

Once I get home I will post the dinner menus. I enjoyed the food and there was sufficient choice.

[patrickmoran]

A couple of additions:

 

If you wanted, you could take the train from Versailles to Paris and board after we docked. The cost mentioned was 5.5 euros. We didn't do it but having taken the train from Paris to and from Versailles, it is pretty straightforward. You can pick up another 1/2 day in Paris.

 

The internet has been reliable. Occasionally, it will drop you unexpectedly but then you sign back on and you're ok. There are a few times when it is not available but they seemed pretty short but unpredictable.

[Alberta Quilter]

Oh, I'm sad that your cruise is coming to an end but that means that my cruise is getting closer! Thank you very much for the "scoop" on the Commonwealth tour!! It sounds like you had a wonderful time.

 

Thank you for taking us with you on your cruise!

[patrickmoran]

We arrived home safely. It was a long travel day. We had a 9:25 am flight from DeGaulle so Viking scheduled our departure from the ship for 6 am. A little early but .... Full breakfast started at 5:30 am and our luggage had to be out by then so not too bad. Continental breakfast was available starting at 4 am. There were 6 of us leaving then. Viking provided a private van and we were at CDG well before 7 am.

We were very pleased with the cruise. Passengers were friendly and we made new friends. Viking Air worked well for us. The transfers were smooth and timely. I thought the service on the ship was good. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Once a staff member learned that I was deaf they worked very diligently to communicate with me, whether writing, etc.

I will get the dinner menus posted over the next few days and answer any questions people may have.

[Rosethorn40]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience. So nice to read something positive about Viking

[Alberta Quilter]

Welcome home! I'm glad you made it safely and with no issues. Thank you very much for answering questions along the way; it is much appreciated.

 

We leave on Tuesday. Have to start packing!!:eek:

[patrickmoran]

I took pictures of the dinner menu each night but only the half that changed each night. The other half had the every day menu, the cheeses being offered and the wines being poured that night. The every day items were: ceasar salad, chicken breast, salmon, and rib eye steak. Anne had the steak one night and said it was very could.

 

Appetizers, Soup & Salad

Crepe de Saumon Fume

Viking Souffle au Fromage de Chevre (tasty)

Salad Nicoise

Veloute de Fenouil Braise (braised fennel veloute, sweet corn, spinach fritters, bacon, and Pernod foam)

 

Entrees

Coq au Vin (very good, dark meat)

FiletD'Omble Chevalier Roti & Sauce au Pavot (sauteed Char fillet)

Gateau de Mais et sa Ratatouille d'Aubergines

 

Desserts

Pots de Creme au Chocolat Amer (very good)

Creme Glacee walnut (excellent)

Sorbet cassis

Sauces chocolate, butterscotch, berry

Traditional Paris-Brest coffee buttercream filling

Fruit

 

The pattern with main courses was a meat dish (beef, chicken, pork or veal), a fish dish, and a vegetarian dish.

 

More tomorrow.

[ThreeTwelves]

Wow, the menu looked great ,glad you had a wonderful time. Any pics from your trip?

[patrickmoran]

Appetizers, Soup & Salad

Asperges Poches et Proscuitto, Panna cotta de Ricotta

Crevettes Pochees au Citron Vert sur Tartar D'Avocat (poached shrimp)

Salade de Lentilles avec des Pommes

Viking Bouillabaise

 

Entrees

Poitrine de Boeuf Braisee & Empanada a la Viande (braised beef brisket)

Filet de Bonita et sa Croute d'Olives (butterfish)

Crepes Pommes de Terre-Poireaux & Gruyere

 

Desserts

Gateau Souffle a l'Orange

Creme Glacee malaga

Sorbet mango

Vienetta au Chocolat et Noix de Coco

Fruit

[patrickmoran]

Appetizers, Soup & Salad

Carpaccio de Boeuf et son Tartare de Crepes

Vol-au-Vent de Champignons Poeles

Salad de Champignons des Bois et Cresson

Soup Toscane de Champignon Souvages

 

Entees

Filet Mignon de Porc au Jambon de Parme

Filet de Thon Ahi et sa vinaigrette tiede de Chanterelles

Lasagne Decomposee de Champignons Portabella

 

Desserts

Terrine de Sureau et Biscuit Gingembre-Citron

Creme Glacee caramel

Sorbet maracuja

Beignets de Pommes

Fruit