Cruise

Exploring the ‘Viking Homelands’ aboard the Viking Sky

by Michael Morcos, photos courtesy of Viking

Where are the crowds, I thought, surely the ship cannot be full…On the contrary, I would learn the Viking sky on the ‘Homelands’ journey was at full guest capacity, so it was quite astonishing that there were rarely any line-ups anywhere on board.

In this part one of a two-part article, we will focus on the Viking Sky itself, with its amenities, public spaces, gastronomy, service, entertainment, and excursions. While in the second article we will focus on the destinations, two blissful weeks visiting six fantastic countries including exciting urban settings and the natural, beautiful, and quiet countryside.

Viking style right from the start
Having booked our flights with Viking, transfers to the ship from the airport was done in typical Viking fashion, meaning seamlessly. The Viking staff greeted us at the airport placed our luggage on the shuttle and within minutes we were at the ship. Checking in was quick, easy, and relaxing, and before we knew it, we were in our stateroom and ready for the adventure.

The wonderful Sky
Like its sister ships, the Viking Sky has a maximum capacity of 930 passengers and is considered small when compared to other mass market ships that hold thousands of guests. This made our trip more pleasurable, as there was very little to no waiting times for embarking/disembarking for excursions, restaurant tables were often easily available, and all other activities were always available and accessible.

Staterooms and suites
In keeping with the Nordic design, our suite was stylish, well lit, very practical, and we felt comfortable for the entire two weeks. Our washroom was quite spacious considering it was on a ship and had plenty of room. Bi-daily room service by a dedicated professional cleaning staff was ideal and our stateroom was always looking and smelling fresh. The best part of our room had to be the private balcony, where we would spend many hours watching the great scenery drift on by.

Public spaces
As small as the ship was, it had plenty to explore. It took the entire first week to finally find all the nooks and crannies and experience everything the Sky had to offer. Our favorite was the Explorers’ lounge on the upper decks in the bow of the ship, which covered two floors with lots of quiet corners for curling up with a book. The views from here were amazing and you could see for miles. Drinks and cocktails were served most hours of the day and there was live music at times as well.

The main pool, with a gigantic retractable glass roof, was perfect indoor/outdoor weather bathing. There was the ‘Living Room,’ a peaceful area by the atrium for socializing, and the Torshavn bar for late night partying, drinks, and dancing. Other spaces open to all passengers included the open aired Aquavit, found in the back of the ship with its wonderful, heated infinity pool and great spots for outdoor dining.

The Winter Garden, with its fabulous Nordic inspired wooden columns and spiral ceiling, was great for afternoon tea, and the spa found on the Viking Sky is unique and a delight to visit. It consists of a large heated indoor pool with powerful jets as well as steam rooms, a small plug pool and a below zero snow grotto for that invigorating Scandinavian experience.

For those who want to keep in shape, there is a full gym to help burn off those excess calories. On the top deck there are outdoor exercise machines, golf putting greens and shuffle boards.

And for those night-time performances, shows and daytime lectures and workshops there was the main theatre on the bottom floor that is spacious and, as with the rest of the ship, well designed.

Design and comfort
Design-wise, each part of the ship is well planned. The staircases have reproductions of the colorful and historic Bayeux tapestry and in the elevators, there were mystical Troll figures hidden in the panels. All this made the Viking Sky special, unique, and made for enjoyable conversation starters. The exterior views of the Viking are well balanced and quite pleasing with beautiful, smooth lines. This look flows into the ship’s interior. The first thing a passenger notices when entering the ship is the atrium and the overall ‘less is more’ Scandinavian style. There is plenty to enjoy with wonderful art and sculptures throughout the ship and it is as lovely to the eyes as it is soothing to the mind, as you can imagine. One can relax in all corners of this vessel without being bombarded with excesses.

Gastronomy
One of the greatest joys of sailing is the choice of food. It is a good thing there is a gym! The Sky had an ample choice of eateries, including the World Café located on the upper level was most travelers favorite as there were floor to ceiling glass windows for magnificent views of the surroundings. Passengers could even sit outdoors on the balconies. The World café is buffet style with three settings a day. With a multitude of options, there was something for every palate, from freshly prepared meat and fish dishes to vegetarian plates and even vegan choices; it was always mouth-watering.

Other options included the Pool Grill that served great burgers, while at Mamsen’s they served late breakfasts and snacks and delectable pastries and cakes. Afternoon tea and snacks are served daily at the Winter Garden and my routine on many nights was the visit the Sushi bar for freshly made delights. Chefs on the spot prepared these exquisite morsels and I just could not get enough!

‘The Restaurant,’ yes, that is its name, is an enormous space but did not feel like it. There were partitions for noise and privacy, and it offered a sit-down service open for breakfast and suppers with many choices and, as on all Viking cruises, beer, wine, and soft drinks are included. Guests have an extensive wine list to pick from at an added cost.

For something different, there is Manfredi’s and The Chef’s Table. These two restaurants are smaller and quite intimate. Both need reservations. Manfredi’s is an Italian style cuisine, while the Chef’s Table has a rotating theme of international dishes.

Shopping at sea
What would a trip be without bringing home gifts and souvenirs? Viking ships offer an impressive collection of boutiques and specialty shops for everything from fine jewellery, handbags, perfumes to bathing suits, designer clothing and everyday essentials, and all tax free and easily charged to your room.

Dedicated staff
You just cannot get any better service at any hotel or cruise line company. It was impeccable and every request was managed quickly, and with a smile. I could tell the crew really loved their job as they were ready and eager to serve at any time. From the Captain and his team down through the program director, to the kitchen staff and the maintenance personal, all made our trip that much more pleasant.

Destinations and tours
Join us in our next issue as the onshore adventure beings. We would start in Bergan, Norway and slowly head towards the Baltic Sea ending in Stockholm, Sweden. Along the way we would visit tranquil towns, walk, hike and bike through the beautiful and lush Scandinavian countryside, visit worldly cities like Copenhagen and Berlin and experience centuries of incredible history, art, and architecture!

www.viking.com