Specialty Coffee Machine

[DianetheCruiser]

We loved the coffee machine that dispensed specialty coffees with the push of a button on our Viking river cruise. It made cappucino's, macchiato's, decaf, American, espresso, etc. Is there one on the ocean cruises?

[doglover3]

Great question. We too loved the coffee machine and cookies on our river cruise as well. I think when I asked for a cappuccino in the MDR, the waiter went out to the machine to get it, so I started just picking one up on my way to breakfast!

[Peregrina651]

Great question. We too loved the coffee machine and cookies on our river cruise as well. I think when I asked for a cappuccino in the MDR, the waiter went out to the machine to get it, so I started just picking one up on my way to breakfast!

 

The push-the-buttons-yourself coffee maker is in the World Cafe on Deck 7 but it doesn't always have access to cookies. Coffee (except the specialty coffees made with liquor) is free from any bar, so no need to go running to up to Deck 7 to get it. Just belly up to the nearest bar and ask. If it is cookies you want as well, Mamsen, Deck 7 forward, and the Deck 1 bar are the places to look when the buffet is not serving. I found the MDR coffee to be horrible and quickly got into the habit of stopping on Deck 1 before heading in to breakfast.

[doglover3]

The push-the-buttons-yourself coffee maker is in the World Cafe on Deck 7 but it doesn't always have access to cookies. Coffee (except the specialty coffees made with liquor) is free from any bar, so no need to go running to up to Deck 7 to get it. Just belly up to the nearest bar and ask. If it is cookies you want as well, Mamsen, Deck 7 forward, and the Deck 1 bar are the places to look when the buffet is not serving. I found the MDR coffee to be horrible and quickly got into the habit of stopping on Deck 1 before heading in to breakfast.

Peregrina--

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm sure I'll be following your habit and get my coffee before going in to breakfast. From what I can tell from the deck plans, Decks 1 and 7 are pretty much the only decks with bars, other than the theater, which I assume is only available when there are programs there. So I guess it will be down to Deck 1 or up to Deck 7!

[Peregrina651]

Peregrina--

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm sure I'll be following your habit and get my coffee before going in to breakfast. From what I can tell from the deck plans, Decks 1 and 7 are pretty much the only decks with bars, other than the theater, which I assume is only available when there are programs there. So I guess it will be down to Deck 1 or up to Deck 7!

 

LOL, you are right. I never gave it much thought. Decks 3,4,5 and 6 are strictly sleep-quarters, so yes, the coffee machines are all on either deck 1 or 7. BUT, the theater bar is also manned in the mornings because that is where the optional shorex meet before being escorted to the buses--and there is always someone who wants a last minute beverage.

[Les Picantins]

Question about the in room expresso machines. Do they take pods or capsules?

[Peregrina651]

Question about the in room expresso machines. Do they take pods or capsules?

 

The unit is a Paulig coffeemaker and it takes pods. It is not an expresso machine.

 

[doglover3]

LOL, you are right. I never gave it much thought. Decks 3,4,5 and 6 are strictly sleep-quarters, so yes, the coffee machines are all on either deck 1 or 7. BUT, the theater bar is also manned in the mornings because that is where the optional shorex meet before being escorted to the buses--and there is always someone who wants a last minute beverage.

My DH will be that someone!

[DianetheCruiser]

Are there certain hours that the barista is on duty on Deck 1?

[Peregrina651]

Are there certain hours that the barista is on duty on Deck 1?

 

Serving the early birds and the night owls, Deck 1 bar is open from 6:30 a.m until Midnight.

[vnb2003]

The unit is a Paulig coffeemaker and it takes pods. It is not an expresso machine.

 

 

But it can make an espresso if you choose the small cup light on the top right side of machine. It's the closest light to the back wall. You could even make a ristretto by stopping water half way through. Trust me espresso is good there :D The pods that were on our Homelands Viking Star - espresso, French coffee, and decaf.

[OneSixtyToOne]

So it sounds like you should bring your own coffee pods if you want a good cup of coffee.

[Peregrina651]

So it sounds like you should bring your own coffee pods if you want a good cup of coffee.

 

The Paulig pods are smaller then the Keurig pods.

[OneSixtyToOne]

The Paulig pods are smaller then the Keurig pods.

 

Thanks for the info. Guess I'll stick to tea.;)

 

I wonder if they make reusable Paulig pods?

I roast my own coffee and I can't stand some of the swill out there.

[vnb2003]

So it sounds like you should bring your own coffee pods if you want a good cup of coffee.

 

Both- espresso and French coffee were very good. You might ask for more flavors but I was satisfied with those and I'm very picky. The only great espresso on the ship was made by one person only - Vanya(spel?) in the bar on deck 1 (Viking Star) No one else was able to make anything even close to hers even on the same machine.

[OneSixtyToOne]

Both- espresso and French coffee were very good. You might ask for more flavors but I was satisfied with those and I'm very picky. The only great espresso on the ship was made by one person only - Vanya(spel?) in the bar on deck 1 (Viking Star) No one else was able to make anything even close to hers even on the same machine.

 

Thanks, but I don't drink espresso or flavored coffee. Espresso roasts take the bean pass the 2nd crack where it starts turning to carbon and tastes burnt. I make a light roast between the 1st and 2nd crack where you can taste the delicate flavors of the bean. Each bean variety will taste different. Fine coffee is a lot like fine wine.

 

My current variety:

Edited September 6, 2017 by OneSixtyToOne