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AmaWaterways Celebrates Inaugural Voyage of the New AmaViola

Today AmaWaterways announced the debut of its second newest ship for 2016, the AmaViola.

The 170-passenger vessel, sister ship to the recently launched AmaStella, is designed to cater to the group and multi-generational markets specifically with connecting cabins and innovative stateroom configurations, including:

  • Six sets of adjoining cabins that can be connected via an internal doorway, accommodating families of up to five (One of these staterooms has a convertible sofa-bed for one.)

  • Four suites with convertible sofa-beds that can accommodate families of up to four

“The debut of our brand new AmaViola builds on the momentum and tremendous feedback we have already seen since launching our AmaStella in March,” said Kristin Karst, Executive Vice President and Co-owner of AmaWaterways.

“Part of what makes AmaWaterways so unique to the industry is our careful pace in developing fresh design concepts on the rivers. It is this mindset that truly allows our team to deliver innovative features for our guests, and they will see this firsthand with the AmaViola.”

In addition to new group-friendly stateroom configurations, AmaViola also features the company’s latest ship design. Guests have access to a greater number of AmaWaterways’ signature twin-balcony (French and outside balconies) staterooms — which provides breathtaking panoramic views — as well as expanded fitness rooms and salon and massage areas on the lower deck.

Guests sailing aboard AmaViola will enjoy the high levels of luxury and quality for which AmaWaterways is known, including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant — a refreshing sun deck and heated pool with a swim-up bar.

Staterooms are also equipped with AmaWaterways’ Entertainment on Demand system, which affords travelers complimentary internet access, the latest movies, a music library, and more. Complimentary unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks are available with lunch and dinner; and complimentary bottled water is provided daily in all staterooms.

In collaboration with Adventures by Disney, AmaViola will feature several departures on the Danube in 2016 with a family theme, including memorable experiences in eight destinations across four countries – Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Guests looking for an even greater immersion into local culture can add a 3-day/2-night pre- or post-stay experience in Prague, Czech Republic. Onboard activities include family karaoke, movie nights for Junior Adventurers, a magic show, cooking classes, games, piano music, and other exciting entertainment geared towards guests of all ages.

Arrival of Port Canaveral’s Newest Cruise Ship Celebrated Today

Carnival Cruise Line and the Canaveral Port Authority hosted a special event earlier today to celebrate the arrival of the Space Coast’s newest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic.

Today also marked the official grand opening of the Magic’s new Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse designed by Food Network star Guy Fieri.

The invitation-only event was highlighted by the carving of a massive, six-foot-long pulled pork sandwich by officials from Carnival and the port to commemorate the debut of Fieri’s new BBQ venue which was installed during a multi-million-dollar dry dock last month.

The event also included a traditional maritime plaque exchange between Carnival Magic Captain Antonio Marchetti, Carnival’s Vice President of Commercial Port Operations Carlos Torres de Navarra and Captain John Murray, chief executive officer of the Canaveral Port Authority.

Carnival Magic is the newest Carnival ship to sail from Port Canaveral, joining Carnival Victory and Carnival Valor on year-round departures from the Space Coast, as well as the Carnival Sunshine which operates seasonal sailings.

Together, these four ships will carry more than 650,000 guests annually from Port Canaveral – more than any other cruise operator.  Carnival operates more than 200 three- to eight-day cruises annually from Port Canaveral, providing the widest variety of year-round cruise choices from the Space Coast.

“Port Canaveral is one of our most popular and fastest-growing homeports.  We now have four exceptional ships based there offering our most highly-rated guest features, a huge array of staterooms and suites with private balconies, and a wide variety of itinerary choices,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

“For 20-plus years, Carnival Cruise Line has sailed from Central Florida’s port providing their guests with an enjoyable ‘Fun ship’ experience,” Murray said. “We are delighted to continue to be a popular homeport for Carnival guests.”

The new Fieri-designed BBQ venue was among the many new features added during an extensive makeover that also incorporated the new cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, the RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, BlueIguana Cantina Mexican eatery, and Guy’s Burger Joint — also designed by Fieri.

Carnival Magic offers a variety of family-friendly features as well, including a WaterWorks aqua park highlighted by a 312-foot-long Twister slide, supervised activities and play areas for kids in three age groups, and the Seuss at Sea program which includes the ever-popular “Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in The Hat and Friends” and the “Seuss-a-Palooza Story Time and Parade.”

Carnival Magic departed this afternoon on its inaugural cruise from Port Canaveral with a three-day voyage to Nassau and will launch year-round seven-day sailings from the Space Coast April 23, 2016.

Carnival Magic will offer two distinctly different week-long itineraries from Port Canaveral – a western Caribbean route featuring Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan) and Costa Maya; and an eastern Caribbean option calling at St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk and Nassau, or Amber Cove.

Unusual Reasons To Choose A Costa Cruise

Cruise travelers focused on the Caribbean, Mexico or Alaska probably don’t see many ships from Costa Cruises.  Those areas commonly visited by those from North America are not the playground of the Italian cruise line.  Just about any other place in the world?  The distinctive yellow funnel of Costa ships are commonly found.  Make that focus the Mediterranean and we’re talking about Costa’s back yard; a part of the world they call home while other lines simply visit on a seasonal basis.  Costa is rarely the first choice of cruise travelers from North America, but maybe they should be. Let’s look at some unusual reasons to choose a Costa cruise

Costa Cruise

A European Cruise ExperienceCosta_Logo4c_Positiv
The first hurdle to get past before considering a Costa Cruise is how comfortable one might be traveling with those of other cultures, backgrounds or from different parts of the world.  If looking around the dining room and seeing familiar faces, like a trip to the grocery store at home might bring, Costa could be a bad choice.  But if exploring the world with a bit more local flavor is on the table, a more international passenger mix on Costa could work well.

Destination Immersion Before Leaving The Ship
Many cruise travelers who live in the countries of Europe, think of the Mediterranean as we do of the Caribbean.  They too sail there often due to the close proximity, abundant ports they can drive or take a ferry to, and ability to build past guest benefits along the way.  Like I know a great guide and driver in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, they know locals at nearly every port along the way.

A Taste Of Luxury
Cruise Compete
Sailing in the Caribbean we commonly see more ‘foreigners’ on higher-priced, more luxurious lines and fewer on big ship budget-oriented lines. Sailing with a more internationally sourced group of passengers on a comparatively inexpensive Costa cruise brings that unique interactive element without the expense of a luxury cruise.  In a way, sailing with Costa is a try-before-you-buy way to experience the more international makeup of passengers we have seen on Seabourn, Azamara Club Cruises, Crystal Cruises and others.

A Taste Of Italy, The Real One
Like visiting a friend’s home who has an Italian heritage, there is no better Italian cuisine on any other cruise line.  That’s a big, broad claim probably helped along the road to credibility by ships full of Italian chefs and crew members.  Relating back to the world of North American Caribbean cruising, sailing with Costa is like we might imagine dining at Jimmy Buffett’s house when Guy Fieri drops by for a barbecue.

Seriously Safe Cruise Travel
As one might expect after the grounding of Costa Concordia, Costa Cruises might very well have overcompensated for the safety issues raised after that tragic event.  That’s a good thing for those who have not considered cruise travel due to personal safety concerns.  That’s not to say other cruise lines are not as safe.  They are.  Costa earns bonus points in the safety area for having lived through a serious event that resulted in higher standards for the worldwide cruise industry.

Dirt Cheap Pricing Close To Home
The flip side of not sailing year round in the Caribbean brings some of the most attractive pricing available for a 7 day cruise.  The Costa Caribbean season runs basically from November through March, so late spring  break, summer and early fall are not possible.  Still, a 7 day Caribbean sailing in December of 2016 starts at $695 per person.

All of the above make for good reasons to choose a Costa cruise. Also significant, Costa is part of the Carnival Corporation family of brands that includes Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn, the UK’s P&O Cruises and new impact travel cruise line Fathom.

Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam Is Born

KONINGSDAM – ITALIAN OPERA

A beautiful look as Holland America Line’s, ms Koningsdam is born at the Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy. Koningsdam first Pinnacle-Class ship in the fleet. The signing ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy.

The 2,650-guest ship will be christened during a ceremony in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on May 20, 2016. The ms Koningsdam is the first in a new class of vessel for the line. Following its Europe season, Koningsdam will sail to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for winter and spring Caribbean cruises. To learn more visit this special page to learn more.

Drone Flight Over ms Koningsdam

Watch this amazing video and see a drone fly over of Holland America Line’s brand new ship, ms Koningsdam.

Let us know what you think of this amazing video and ship? Do you plan to sail on her? Leave a comment below.

Carnival Extends Time in Port in Cozumel

Carnival Cruise Line has extended the length of time its ships spend in Cozumel, Mexico, on more than 750 voyages, providing guests with even more opportunities to experience and explore one of the Caribbean’s most diverse vacation destinations.

On “Cozumel Plus” itineraries, guests now have access to a variety of new excursions, many taking place on Mexico’s mainland – with unforgettable tours like swimming with whale sharks, visiting centuries-old ruins and swimming in hidden caverns, complementing nearly 50 existing tours already available.

“With magnificent beaches and interesting landmarks and historical sites, Cozumel is the Caribbean’s premier cruising region, and our ‘Cozumel Plus’ itineraries provide our guests with a seemingly endless variety of new ways to explore this fascinating destination,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “These new itineraries provide our guests with the opportunity to create wonderful vacation memories and our travel agent partners an exciting cruise option to market to their clients.”

Carnival is kicking off its new “Cozumel Plus” itineraries with a special promotion offering a $25 per person shipboard credit that can be used toward shore excursions.  The shipboard credit offer is available through April 22, 2016, when booking in combination with Carnival’s Early Saver rates.

Designated by a special notation on Carnival’s web site, Cozumel Plus itineraries are operated by 17 different Carnival ships offering more than 750 four- to eight-day cruises from six U.S. homeports along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Carnival Cruise Line offers the greatest variety of cruises to Cozumel than any other cruise operator, providing guests with unparalleled choice and convenience in their shore excursion options.

The additional time in port has enabled Carnival’s shore excursion experts to partner with local tour operators to create one-of-a-kind excursion offerings that allow guests to fully immerse themselves in Mexican culture and participate in truly unique landside experiences.

“Cozumel Plus” tours are up to eight hours in duration and include everything from extended, day-long tours visiting ancient Mayan ruins, including Chichen Itza – one of the Seven Wonders of the World dating back to 750 A.D. – to snorkeling the exquisite turquoise waters of Xel-Ha, a magnificent group of lagoons connected by a series of bridges.

On other excursions, guests can explore Mexico’s famed “secret river” — subterranean caverns connected by underground waterways with stunning natural rock formations that are millions of years old — or participate in a seasonal excursion of swimming in open waters with whale sharks, gentle sea creatures measuring up to 40 feet in length and weighing up to 47,000 pounds.

Of course, the additional time in port provides guests with more time to check out Cozumel’s legendary white-sand beaches, excellent fishing, snorkeling and water sports, and unique shopping and dining opportunities.

Cruises visiting Cozumel dock at Puerta Maya, Carnival’s modern three-berth facility in Cozumel which, in addition to offering easy access to the various tours via an on-site transportation center, includes a variety of retail shops, boutiques and restaurants, enhancing guests’ on-shore experience.

 

Carnival Corporation Now Accepting Bookings for Cuba Voyages

Santiago de Cuba

Carnival Corporation & plc announced today that the company is continuing discussions with Cuba to allow cruise ships to operate in the same manner as current air charter operations, which transport Cuba-born individuals to and from Cuba.

Carnival Corporation also announced that it is accepting bookings on its 10th and newest brand, Fathom, from all travelers to Cuba, regardless of their country of origin, and is looking forward to its historic inaugural voyage to Cuba on May 1, 2016.

Fathom will begin sailing its 704-passenger Adonia luxury cruise ship to Cuba every other week starting on May 1, marking the first time in over 50 years that a cruise ship has sailed from the U.S. to Cuba.

While optimistic that Cuba will treat travelers with Fathom the same as air charters today, should that decision by Cuba be delayed past May 1, Carnival Corporation will delay the start of its voyages to Cuba accordingly.

“We want everyone to be able to go to Cuba with us,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “We remain excited about this historic opportunity to give our guests an extraordinary vacation experience in Cuba.”

“We have already seen tremendous consumer interest in the incredible Cuba journey we have put together,” said Tara Russell, president of Fathom. “Our guests will visit three beautiful and unique destinations on the island all in one week, with the convenience of only having to unpack once while we sail on the Fathom Adonia, our premium small ship with its excellent and diverse dining, service and accommodations.”

During each sailing, Fathom will visit Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba, three ports of call for which Carnival Corporation has obtained berthing approval.

As part of this historic sailing in this inaugural year, travelers will enjoy an exciting Cuban experience, where they can choose to partake in onboard experiences, including Cuban- and Caribbean-inspired food and films, music and dancing, and much more.

Special onboard programming will include a wide variety of activities covering an array of interests, ranging from an orientation to Cuba’s history, customs and culture, to geographic-inspired entertainment, to casual and fun personal enrichment activities, along with conversational Spanish lessons.

Seven-day itineraries on Carnival Corporation’s Fathom brand depart from Port Miami on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The ship will arrive at its first destination, Havana, the following morning (Monday) at 11 a.m. ET. The Adonia returns to its homeport, Port Miami, at 7:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.

Prices for seven-day itineraries to Cuba start at $1,800 per person, excluding Cuban visas, taxes, fees and port expenses and including all meals on the ship, onboard experiences, and several on-the ground activities. Prices will vary by season.

Her Majesty Queen Máxima Named Godmother of ms Koningsdam

Holland America Line’s tradition will continue when Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands christens the cruise line’s new Pinnacle-class ship, ms Koningsdam.

She will christen the 2,650-guest ship in a ceremony in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on May 20, 2016. The ms Koningsdam is the first in a new class of vessel for the line.

Members of the Dutch Royal Family have launched 11 Holland America Line ships. Most recently, then-Princess Máxima christened ms Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010, and then-Queen Beatrix served as ms Eurodam‘s godmother in 2008.

Statendam III in 1929 was launched by Prince Hendrik and Nieuw Amsterdam II in 1937 by Queen Wilhelmina. Then-Princess Beatrix named Statendam IV in 1957 and Prinses Margriet in 1960. Rotterdam V was launched in 1958 by Queen Juliana. Princess Margriet dedicated Prinsendam in 1972, Nieuw Amsterdam II in 1983, ms Rotterdam VI in 1997, and ms Oosterdam in 2003.

Her Majesty Queen Máxima Named Godmother of ms Koningsdam | 4
Her Majesty Queen Máxima

“We are incredibly honored that Her Majesty Queen Máxima will carry on the tradition of Dutch Royalty christening Holland America Line ships, which began 87 years ago,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.

“We chose Rotterdam as the location for the official ceremony because of the deep historic connection between Holland America Line, the city, and the people of the Netherlands. May 20 will be a very special day in our company’s 143-year history as we officially dedicate ms Koningsdam.”

The official ceremony will take place in Rotterdam onboard the ship during a special 13-day Christening Cruise departing Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, May 9. Following that voyage, Koningsdam will spend the summer sailing from the port of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on itineraries to Norway, the Baltic, and Iceland.

Following its Europe season, Koningsdam will sail to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for winter and spring Caribbean cruises.

Holland America Line’s fleet of 14 ships offers more than 500 cruises to more than 400 ports in 98 countries, territories, or dependencies around the world.

From shorter getaways to 115-day itineraries, the company’s cruises visit all seven continents with highlights including: Antarctica explorations, South America circumnavigations, and exotic Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages, four annual Grand Voyages, and popular sailings to the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Panama Canal.

A Dozen Interesting Features Of New Holland America Ship

Holland America Line is known for interesting itineraries, owning a big chunk of the Alaska cruise market and being old.  All three of those perceptions are as true today as they have been for decades, with one very big exception. Holland America Line is right in the middle of a renaissance of sorts that is turning heads. It is an effort that is positioning a cruise line perhaps passed over by many in the past to be a viable option now and in the future.  The new Holland America ship, ms Koningsdam, builds on the past. The 99,000 ton ship presents the best of the line, adding new features and is something to get excited about.

A Variety Of Entertainment On A New Holland America Ship

Let’s start with a feature of cruise travel that many of us really don’t care all that much about: entertainment. That I unpack once to see a bunch of places and all meals are included add up to plenty of value for me.  If the entertainment is something to see, that’s fine but sure not a deciding factor in our decision to choose one line over another.

New Holland America Ship
Image- Chris Owen

BB King’s Blues Club
Cruise CompeteAlready a hit on three Holland America ships and in place at the debut of Koningsdam, BB King’s Blues Club is live a live entertainment event in the ship’s Queens Lounge five nights a week.  The new design on Koningsdam expands the space, now rising two floors high.  After each evening’s performance, that same space takes advantage of the largest dance floor on the ship, featuring live music, state-of-the-art sound and special LED lighting effects. Earlier in the day, the same comfortable space will host presentations, speakers and other activities, as well as special entertainment events.

Lincoln Center Stage
Partnering with New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center Stage will be part an impressive amount of space devoted to the Music Walk complex on Koningsdam. As part of the exclusive partnership, Lincoln Center Stage will showcase an ensemble performing chamber music, with multiple programs 6 nights a week. On days at sea, an afternoon recital will be featured.

Billboard Onboard
Billboard Onboard is Holland America’s answer to dueling piano bars, cover bands and trendy if not howling music venues which have experienced extraordinary success with other cruise lines. Billboard Onboard promises an interactive music experience based on 50 years of chart-topping hits. The huge net cast by that focus will obviously rely heavily on how flexible, well-versed and in touch performers are with the audience at hand, every night, to be even moderately successful; what we might expect. 

Delicious Dining Options

New Holland America Ship
Image- Holland America Line

Dinner At The Culinary Arts Center
Already known for their Culinary Arts Center that brings Holland America guests up close and personal with world-class chefs through cooking demonstrations, lectures and more. One of the most unique offerings on new Holland America ship ms Koningsdam goes even further.  In a ‘why didn’t anyone think of this before’ flavored move, in the evening the room transforms into a new dining concept called Dinner at the Culinary Arts Center, an immersive farm-to-table experience where the chefs prepare simple, artisanal dishes in the show kitchen and guests enjoy each course as it’s freshly prepared. Every meal will emphasize fresh, thoughtfully sourced selections while incorporating select ingredients harvested from a glass-enclosed growing area just off the kitchen.

Grand Dutch Cafe
Also new on Koningsdam, the whimsical Grand Dutch Cafe. Located on Deck 3 at the top of the Atrium, the new venue is a nod to Holland America Line’s rich heritage and the ideal place to grab Dutch-themed snacks or beverages, with Heineken beer on tap.

Sel de Mer
To debut on the new Holland America ship is an intimate French seafood brasserie called Sel de Mer. Located next to the popular Pinnacle Grill, Sel de Mer, or “salt of the sea” in French, will serve a classic selection of French seafood dishes with a contemporary twist — from fresh oysters, seafood chowder and fruits de mer to salt-crusted whole fish, scallops and bouillabaisse.

Pinnacle Grill
Located next to Sel de Mer, the popular alternative restaurant will continue to feature Pacific Northwest cuts of beef and other traditional steakhouse favorites. The centerpiece of the Pinnacle Grill is a dramatic glass-enclosed wine room situated between the two restaurants. Guests will be able to view all of the wines from both venues and chose their favorite vintage from among hundreds of selections. This one has an additional fee.  First-timers might get hooked on a less-expensive lunch early in the voyage and will probably be back for dinner as well.

Lido Market
When guests head to Lido Market on Koningsdam, they’ll notice a transformation from traditional Lido dining areas into a modern marketplace, offering a curated selection of delicious options guests can grab either on-the-go or have quickly made to order.  This has always been a strong area for Holland America Line, notably for their method of service for the first 24 hours of each sailing: guests do not serve themselves.  Rather than risk the spread of norovirus, the proactive cruise line greatly reduces the chance by having only trained crew members serve.

Canaletto
Adjacent to the Lido dining area, every evening the festive Canaletto features an authentic Italian “sharing” dinner experience that offers a variety of dishes to enjoy and share with family and friends. The small-plate menu was conceived out of the desire to slow down the meal and create a more authentic Italian experience. Dining at Canaletto carries a minimal fee that seems way too minimal for what you get.

Tamarind
Tamarind carries on the success found aboard ms Eurodam and ms Nieuw Amsterdam to the new Holland America ship with an enhanced experience on Koningsdam. Featuring the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan, Tamarind will be located on the uppermost deck, providing guests with stunning panoramic views. New toKoningsdam will be an intimate sushi bar inside Tamarind with select seating for seven guests for lunch and dinner. Dining at Tamarind is available for a nominal fee.

New Holland America Ship
Image- Chris Owen

Easy New Holland America Ship Itineraries

Also interesting on Holland America Line’s new ms Koningsdam, the first ship in the new Pinnacle Class; Koningsdam will eventually end up sailing from Port Everglades in easy-to-access Fort Lauderdale.

Four-day Bahamas Cruise
Koningsdam begins its inaugural season in the Caribbean with a four-day cruise to the Bahamas departing Nov. 9, 2016. Following an overnight in Fort Lauderdale, the ship calls at Nassau followed by Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s award-winning private island. The voyage is the perfect way to sample Holland America Line’s new Pinnacle-class ship.

Seven-day Caribbean Cruises & Holiday Sailing
Two different seven-day itineraries provide an ideal getaway in winter, when the balmy breezes of the Caribbean beckon. The first itinerary sails Jan. 8 and 29 and Feb. 12, 2017, calling at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Half Moon Cay. The second itinerary departs Jan. 15 and Feb. 5, 2017, and visits Half Moon Cay; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Key West, Fla. The two itineraries can be combined to create a nonrepeating 14-day Caribbean Collectors’ Voyage.

Holland America Line has a dedicated micro site for Koningsdam as well.


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Is Viking Ocean Cruises For You? Maybe, Maybe Not

Just off a recent sailing of Viking Ocean Cruises new Viking Star, it was easy to document and confirm: this is one great value for cruise travelers. Most cruise travelers that is.  For some, Viking Ocean Cruises’ ships are just not set up to handle them.  Let’s look at reasons to (and not to) sail with them.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises Are Not For Everyone

An easy list of travelers who will have little interest in sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises

 

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises Could Be The Perfect Match

On the other hand, when matched with the right traveler, Viking Ocean cruises has an experience quite difficult, if not inappropriate, to compare to other cruise lines, for a number of reasons.

  • Cruise CompeteAll Veranda Staterooms- every stateroom has a view and it’s a good one. There are no obstructed views on Viking Ocean Cruises.
  • Beer and Wine Included with every meal and that actually means during meal times, dining or not.  Upgrade to their Silver Spirits plan for almost anything, anytime and more benefits.
  • Cultured Onboard Programming is evolving to include a partnership with the famed Metropolitan Opera which brings taped performances enjoyed with Dolby surround sound, backstage interviews and more.  Munch Moments is an after-dinner cocktail hour that features exclusive rights to the artist’s works, projected on a giant led screen in the central atrium area
  • Lightning Fast Internet, included in the Viking Ocean Cruises price, was being rolled out as I sailed and due to go live shortly.  Promising the fastest Internet at sea, that means streaming video, FaceTime chats with your jealous friends back home and more.
  • Multiple Dining Options include Manfredi’s (authentic) Italian, a rotating tasting menu at The Chef’s Table, a World Cafe buffet-like area with an open kitchen where we can see the food being prepared fresh before our eyes, a main dining room simply called The Restaurant with plenty of the highly-sought tables for two, a Pool Grill, snappy 24hour room service with a smile and more.  All are included, none carry a cover charge, although they seem like they should
  • The Explorer’s  Lounge is a two-deck high area at the front of the ship where observation lounges are on other ships.  Here we find comfy chairs, an eclectic array of loaner library books, a whole lot of conversation among guests and more.  This will probably be one of your favorite places on the ship.
  • Entertainment, usually something I can take or leave without any gain or loss of joy on any cruise line is just wonderful. Woven throughout the day that might mean a concert hall quality piano player in the comfy Living Room area, a one man band at night in the Explorer’s lounge or a truly authentic Rat Pack performance in the Torshaven nightclub that runs into late night.
  • Expect the unexpected- to me, the mark of a good cruise ship operation is when they hit all the marks one would expect then go a bit further.  Thats what we commonly found ourselves and/or overheard other passengers talking about.  Mention you have a scratchy throat like having a cold coming on, and servers in the restaurant are there with honey and lemon-infused hot tea.  Have a food allergy and find custom made dining options with you, personally, in mind.
  • Past Guests Get Their Just Deserves- When other cruise lines are cutting back on what past guests get for their loyalty, Viking Ocean Cruises is pouring it on beginning with an additional $ discount regardless of any other promotional fare applied to your booking.  Stacking benefits is back.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Growing Fleet Means This Will Stay- We saw it on most cruise lines at one point or another: they tried really hard to impress us so we would tell our friends.  Word-of-mouth advertising is still king here and Viking Ocean Cruises tries really hard to make passengers want to tell their friends about the experience.  Common: guests with the time extend their voyage when space is available to stay on for another cruise.


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