TRAVEL

This was our first Viking Ocean cruising with two amazing weeks on-board the Viking Mars, experiencing Northern Europe in 15 days and 6 countries: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Germany and Norway.

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Viking Ocean Cruises are considered to be “all inclusive” since they include: Shore Excursions: We enjoyed one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call. Wi-Fi: We were able to stay connected with free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary). Beverages: We had our choice of beer, wine, assorted liquor/cocktails and soft drinks which are all included during onboard lunch and dinner. Specialty Coffees and Teas: We sipped on 24-hour specialty coffees and teas and were offered water bottles at every port. Port Taxes and Fees: These were covered. Ground Transfers: We appreciated these which are available with Viking Air purchase. Enrichment Lectures and Performances: We immerse ourselves in cultural insights and entertainment. Nordic Spa and Fitness Center: We needed to take advantage of the complimentary  access to the gym after enjoying the fabulous meals. Alternative Restaurant Dining: We enjoyed all the diverse culinary experiences at no extra charge. Room Service: which was available 24-hours along with laundry services. 

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Visit the Viking website for the most current itineraries and pricing. https://www.vikingcruises.com

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What an amazing cruise! Where do I begin? Let’s start from Day 1. Anyone who is familiar with cruising, has heard of Viking Cruises. For m, y wife and myself, this was a new experience with no preset expectations. We knew that Viking has a reputation for being top notch in all categories, but again, we needed to see it for ourselves to really understand what it was all about. The flight over on Scandinavian Airlines to Stockholm from Los Angeles was quite nice. We upgraded our seats for a little extra comfort. We booked our flights with Viking, however you may want to explore other options for booking flights or upgrading seats from a Viking booking or directly with the airline.

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As of June 2023, Viking Ocean Cruises operated a fleet of nine modern ocean ships, each designed with understated elegance and Scandinavian flair. These ships are classified as “small ships” with a capacity for 930 passengers on each vessel.

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We were met at the airport by a Viking representative and were comfortably whisked away to the awaiting ship, the Viking Mars. Check-in on the ship was a breeze and well-coordinated.

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Our Stateroom

Our luggage was taken to our room, so that we could unpack for the 15-day voyage. The room was really quite nice. All the amenities that you might expect on a luxury cruise ship with a wonderful wide balcony to view the magnificent coastlines. Our room was a Deluxe Veranda Stateroom. From the moment we got into our room, the views were captivating. Our room was well appointed and quite nicely laid out. Our bed was comfortable and the pillows and sheets were superior in quality. The bathroom and its’ heated floors were a great surprise. We loved the tiled, roomy shower and appreciated the staff’s attention to details and their pampering of all our desires. There was plenty of room next to the bed and nightstand. It was really helpful having USB ports at bedside. We did bring an electric converter from home which came in handy at the desk for our computer and other accessories. We recommend you familiarized yourself with the room’s TV and all the offerings it has. It also gives you a chance to check on your cruise account, catch up on movies or TV shows, check out the ship’s progress or watch a camera live from top of the ship. We highly recommend you take advantage of the port talks while in your room to learn more about your next destination. Don’t forget to relax and enjoy the refreshing ocean breezes and beautiful sights out your balcony door.

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Our Viking Ocean Cruise

One of the great features of Viking’s itineraries is the included shore excursions at each port. Like Viking River Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises focus on the destinations. With the “small ship” design of their ocean fleet, itineraries feature ports other larger cruise ships can’t offer.

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Be sure and stop by the Explorers Desk before the end of the day and pick up a map of the port for the following day. This will help you plan your next day’s adventure and familiarize yourself with the next destination.

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Our Viking adventure began in Stockholm, Sweden with a tour of the cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s 13th-century old town. Spread across 14 islands, interconnected by more than 50 bridges, Stockholm was relatively easy to get around.

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From there, it was on to Mariehamn, Åland Islands, Finland. The gorgeous scenery and quaint community had me fantasizing about living there and enjoying the island lifestyle. We continued on the Swedish Coast passing and its archipelago, a cluster of some 3,000 islands.

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Next was Gdańsk, Poland, where we toured the old quarter, historic sites, port and vibrant markets. Gdansk is one of the oldest and most charming cities in the Baltic region. Almost entirely destroyed during WWII, the town which was the 1939 flashpoint for the war has rebuilt itself from the consequences of war.  We had the opportunity to visit Stutthof, a Nazi German concentration camp and extermination camp located outside the village of Stutthof (now Sztutowo, Poland), 22 miles east of Gdańsk. First established by the Nazis in 1939 as a camp for civilian Polish war prisoners, Stutthof became a concentration camp in 1942 and then it was converted into an extermination camp where Jews were killed in 1944. It was a solemn visit, but we couldn’t fully appreciate the history of a country without visiting all aspects of its’ history both magnificent and tragic.

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Bornholm (Rønne), Denmark was next on the agenda visiting charming Rønne, the medieval center of Bornholm. Founded as a fishing community on the Danish Island of Bornholm around the year 1000, the picturesque village of Rønne has played an important role in the maritime trade of the Baltics.

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Berlin (Warnemünde), Germany was our next stop. Here we were able to experience iconic Berlin, from the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate to Checkpoint Charlie. Consider the train to Berlin and then the Historic tour of Berlin. Since Berlin is nowhere near the coast, a train ride from Warnemunde near Rostock, was arranged to take us inland to Berlin. A day in Berlin was a big undertaking, but was well worth it.

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Copenhagen, Denmark was even more beautiful than we could have imagined. We toured the Amalienborg Palace, visited with the Little Mermaid statue and so much more. Once a small Viking fishing village, Copenhagen has been an essential Scandinavian port since the 10th Century. Dubbed “the happiest city in the world,” Copenhagen presents a relaxed urban atmosphere with plenty of culture and history.

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Ålborg, Denmark is a charming old town, home to the City Hall and Ålborghus Castle. Here we saw the best-preserved Renaissance architecture in Denmark as well as some of Scandinavia’s richest historical sights and a relaxing atmosphere at Aalborg University.  

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Our adventure continued to Oslo, Norway with the cultural riches of Norway’s capital, including viewing the amazing artwork of native son, painter Edvard Munch. The Munch Museum is a must stop in Oslo and was walking distance from our ship. We also took a beautiful boat ride in the channel and saw many summer cottages along the shoreline. Be sure and check out Oslo’s many landmarks such as Akershus Fortress.

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Stavanger, Norway offered its’ classic cobblestone streets of Old Stavanger. Known for having the highest concentration of 17th and 18th-century wooden buildings in Europe, the southern port town of Stavanger is both beautiful and historic. The heart of Norway’s lucrative offshore oil industry, Stavanger is home to the award-winning Norwegian Petroleum Museum. We also learned about the history of the town’s fisherman and their dependence on the ocean’s tides for their catches. Maybe a local will tell you a tale about the sardines. Quaint boutiques and classic cafes create a welcoming atmosphere throughout the Old Town. Make sure to stop in and have a coffee and pastry. With the abundance of fine restaurants and bars, there is no question that there is a thriving social scene in the port town of Stavanger.

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Eidfjord, Norway was breathtaking and a photographer’s dream with its natural beauty and sweeping views of mountains and fjords. Touring Eidfjord on our own was certainly doable. Try stopping at the tourist office and pick up a map that shows two different walks they offer. The yellow walk is more of a nature hike that takes about 90 minutes or more. Don’t forget your camera! The fresh air and outdoors is so refreshing after a ride on the bus. There are also boating and airplane excursions to experience the fjords from adventurous and  different perspectives.

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Our adventure ended in beautiful Bergen, Norway. Bergen is an historic city full of colorful architecture and a lively atmosphere. Next time, I would highly suggest spending a few extra days exploring the deep Viking roots of Bergen. Check out the rugged mountains and magnificent fjords around Bergen, the “Capital of Fjords.” Viking berths next to Bryggen Wharf, Bergen’s most iconic landmark. The UNESCO-listed Wharf boasts lovely rows of historic 18th-century wooden buildings. We also took a boat ride to appreciate the history and the new growth of beautiful Bergen.

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Let’s Talk About The Food                                                          

The food selection on the ship was excellent. Be sure and experience the private dining room known as the Chef's Table. That is an experience you will not forget. We had the opportunity to go out with a small group of guests along with the Executive Chef and the Hotel Manager and pick out most of the ingredients of our evening’s meal that was prepared in front of us by the Executive Chef and his staff. No exaggeration, this was a highlight of our onboard experience. Check out the World Café where the selections are fresh, endless and bottomless. If you have any food allergies, make sure you have a discussion with one of the dining room Maître D’s.  They take their clients’ special needs very seriously and will taylor meals accordingly.  Their First-Class service was amazing and appreciated. For your daytime excursions, be sure and request a lunch box from Viking Guest Services. They will pack a box for you with a sandwich, apple, and goodies. Manfredi's was well worth the dining experience with no shortage of delectable selections. No Viking Cruise would be complete without an order of a delicious Mamsen’s waffle. Mamsen’s, named after the mother of the owner of Viking Cruses, is located at the starboard entrance to the Explorer’s Lounge. They ‘ve recreated all of Mamsen’s recipes and serve split pea soup, sandwiches, herring dishes and provide other Norwegian food items, including late night service. If you know, you know! At the entrance to the restaurants, there is an interactive screen to see what is on the menu for that day. Room service was always available, however we never wanted to miss an opportunity to dine in one of the dining rooms or outside on the deck to enjoy the beautiful views and fresh air.

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If you are big dessert fans like us, Viking will not disappoint. The choices seemed endless and the selections varied from day to day. Afternoon Tea was a tasty and relaxing experience. Served in a very special lovely tea garden, we were greeted with a menu filled with a large variety of tea selections. When ready, our server staff brought us an impressive, tiered array of sandwiches, pastries and other goodies for our afternoon delight.

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Consider taking a Galley Tour. Over 100 people work in the food operations on a Viking Ocean Cruise and their workspace is simply amazing to see. Check with Guest Services how you can best tour it.

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The Included Tours/Excursions

The included tours in each port ended up being really great. If we managed to book an early morning tour, this left us with plenty of time to sight see on our own or book an additional tour. We highly suggest booking included tours as soon as possible since the tours book up very quickly. When we ended up with a tour that was scheduled later than we wanted, we just checked to see if there was room on one of the earlier tours. That option worked out for us a few times. While these are included tours, they are by no means any less engaging or interesting than the optional paid excursions. Viking does provide umbrellas, so no need to bring your own.

Another terrific on-board tour is of the ship’s bridge, where the captain was the tour guide and shared how his amazing ship keeps afloat and showed us other secrets too!

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Onboard Entertainment

Our Viking Ocean Cruise offered a perfect combination of luxury, exploration, and relaxation. Here are some activities you can also enjoy during your Viking Oceans Cruise.

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Cultural Enrichment Programs: Attend live lectures by historians, experts, and guest speakers. Dive into topics like art, history, and regional culture. These sessions provide valuable insights into the destinations you visit. We were enthralled with the curated displays available 24/7 which educated us with Scandinavian history, artifacts and selections of artwork, jewelry and clothing.  It was like we had our own private museum on board ship. It was really special.

Take advantage of the ship’s amenities such as its Pool, Fitness Center, Spa, Explorers’ Lounge, a place to unwind, read or hang out with fellow travelers or the Living Room, where you can play board games or listen to live music. They have a wonderful selection of solo singers, duets, or instrumental quartets playing daily. Check out live music, dancing, the Viking singers and dancers in the Main Theater, movies on the pool deck, local musical and cultural performances and late-night entertainment in Torshavn.

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Remember, Viking Ocean Cruises cater primarily to adults aged 55 and older, creating an intimate, cultural atmosphere.

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Lasting Impressions

This was our first ever Viking Cruise, and we have no hesitation booking another Ocean or River Cruise with Viking in the years to come. It was crystal clear, that the Viking experience was one to remember. This is how lasting memories are made! They truly understand great customer service.

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The Viking staff was attentive, helpful and very professional along with all of our tour guides. Viking suggests to tip the drivers and guides on the tours. We strongly suggest you thank and tip your guides and drivers who provided you with excellent service.

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Depending on the time of year, and since we cruised in July, the evening sky is lit up with daylight until 10 to 11 pm. This makes for longer enjoyable days and spectacular sunset photos.

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We do recommend travel insurance since you never know what situations you may encounter before and during your cruise. You are making a significant investment and should protect yourself from unknown circumstances that may impede your travel.

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It is a great idea to consider extending your stay at either end of your cruise. Allowing yourself the opportunity to settle in after a long flight to Europe is really a great advantage to beginning an often long-awaited cruise. Getting to tour the beginning or ending city is always a great time to prepare for or wind down from your Viking Cruise adventure.

Be sure and visit the Viking website for complete details, updated itineraries and current pricing on Ocean and River Cruises. https://www.vikingcruises.com Check Viking Cruises official site for promotional deals throughout the year, and remember to sign up for email promotions and announcements.

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We would like to thank Viking Ocean Cruises for an unforgettable Homelands Cruise through Northern Europe. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at info@LakeArrowheadNews.com. We would love to share our photos with you!