Just back! Our VIKING SKY-tastic 7 day Iconic Mediterranean cruise. November 7 - 14, 2021. Full trip report with tons of pix.

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Hellooooo Viking Cruisers!

We are just back from our first Viking Ocean cruise and it was AWESOME!  I can't wait to share the week with you all. 

Flew home yesterday and up at 3:30am due to the time change.

I'm truly enjoying the quiet early morning darkness reminiscing about our adventure with a smile.

A little about us.. we have been on many Med cruises but this is our first one on Viking. 

It was a week filled with beautiful weather, delightfully familiar ports, outstanding food, the warmest crew, and the comforting feeling that the travel world seems to be getting back on track.

Ready to sail away? Come on along!

 

We actually just came back from a Danube river cruise a few weeks ago so I pretty much knew how to prepare for our second trip to Europe in a little over a month.

I scheduled our rapid PCR test appointments on Thursday or Friday for a Saturday departure.

Last trip I took back up tests the morning we flew, in case our flights were delayed, but this time I felt more relaxed about it so we only tested once.

Two VERY happy negatives and we were ready to roll!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I also knew there were country specific forms that needed to be filled out online.  This time it was Spain as we were boarding the Viking Sky in Barcelona. 

48 hours before we left I followed the links from the Delta website and then printed the form with the QR code.

I made a "travel docs" album on my phone of our Vaxx cards, Entry country QR codes, Passports and Negative PCR results. Being of that "certain age" I also printed backups.

These days packed and ready to go means a whole lotta paperwork and a vast assortment of masks and cleaning supplies.

 

 

 

 

 

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JFK Terminal 4! Checked in and ready to fly.

 

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We tried 2 lounges.. the American Express Centurion Lounge and the Delta Sky Club.

Delta Sky Club for the win!

 

 

 

Meanwhile.. over at the Delta Sky Club..

 

 

 

 

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The sun was setting over NYC and our flight was almost ready to board.  It was a glorious autumn night.

 

 

 

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We sat in the new Delta Premium Select cabin.  It had wide and comfortable seats, upgraded earphones and lots of legroom for silly shoes.

 

 

 

 

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7 hours and 8 minutes of flying time and..

SUNDAY - Good morning Barcelona!

 

 

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After passport control our vaccine cards were checked as well as the Spanish passenger locator QR code.  I think all of these desks were set up to help travelers who had not done the paperwork before they left the USA.

 

 

 

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As usual the Viking welcome desk was "manned and womanned" by the most welcoming and cheerful people.

 

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We purchased arrival transfers and were whisked quickly to the port by bus.  

First glimpse of the Viking Sky.. our home away from home for the next 7 days.

 

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Check in was a breeze as there were very few people in the terminal.  We were given ship contact tracing necklaces that were to be kept with us at all times.  You didn't have to keep it around your neck.. in your pocket or purse was fine. 

 

 

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Ahh.. the BEST moment on a cruise... when you are first walking up the gangway and onto the ship for a full week (or longer) of fun!  That's the golden moment.

 

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The safety instructions were given in small groups of 4 people and then onto our cabin. The ship was half full so the ever delightful "your cabins are ready" announcement came before 11am.  What a pleasure.

 

 

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Cabin 5083.. mid ship perfection.

 

 

 

 

 

A few days before we sailed we received an email from Viking with an offer for $199 a person to upgrade our cabin from a DV1 (Deluxe Veranda) to a PV1 (Penthouse Veranda.)  I jumped on that lickety split and I'm so glad I did.  The extra space was wonderful. I felt like we were in a regular hotel room rather than a cruise ship cabin.  Not sure I can go back to regular cabins anymore..

 

P.S. Sam said GOOD LUCK with that!🤣

 

 

 

 

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Tons of paperwork on the bed waiting for us including the Viking Daily.  Our "always with a smile" cabin steward Ryan came by to introduce himself and to tell us a little about the daily PCR testing procedure.  Each night there were two labeled tubes left on the coffee table tray for us.  First thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything you spit in the tube just until the bottom line.  Then put it back into the corresponding plastic bag with a barcode on it and leave it on the coffee table to be picked up by 9am each morning.  Easy peasy.. It was actually quite comforting to feel that if a passenger would unfortunately test positive that they will be isolated quickly and not be out and about.

Our first test was right there and then on embarkation day.  You are not contacted unless they need to contact you about the test.

 

 

 

 

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We also logged onto the wifi and into the Viking App.  It was very convenient and easy to use.  Each day you had to answer four questions on the health survey... Do you feel sick? Do you have a fever? Cough? etc.

The App also showed your restaurant reservations and your shore excursions.  I'm not a high tech girl but this was definite high tech plus!

 

 

 

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Still day one! The luggage came soon after and I unpacked quickly.  We showered, changed and then headed up to our first Viking Ocean lunch at the World Cafe on deck 7. 

There was a hand sanitizing and hand washing station right when you walk in as well as a temperature check stand that you must do once a day.  No touching involved.  You just put your face near the oval outline and it somehow knows who you are and reads your temperature within a few seconds.

 It was a gloriously sunny day and it was so very nice to eat outside on the back deck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hopped onto the ship's shuttle into Barcelona and walked around the city fighting the jet lag brain haze of no sleep the night before and a 6 hour time difference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Had an outstanding dinner at Manfredi's Italian Restaurant.  Probably our favorite of the week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MONDAY - Good morning Barcelona.. again!

 

 

 

 

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Filled out plastic tubes with the correct amount of spit and gave them to the cheerful crew member who knocked on our door before breakfast.

I promise that will be the last disgusting saliva filled plastic tube picture in this review. Promise.

 

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A world of delicious eating at the World Cafe.. breakfast and lunch and dinner. No matter what time of day every crew member working there has a genuine smile and a true warm welcome.

 

 

3 kinds of breakfast potatoes!  Sam's fave.

 

 

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We saw what looked like miles of cargo containers sitting at the port.. somebody's holiday gifts are going to be delayed.

 

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Took the included afternoon tour of Barcelona and it was relaxing and interesting.