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The Viking Caribbean Experience

Our Viking Story, In Photos

Por CHRIS OWEN

28 de October de 2016

viking star in new york city

Viking Star sailed into New York harbor as part of its inaugural North American voyage. The 930-guest ship docked at Manhattan Cruise Terminal at noon, just after sailing past the Statue of Liberty with a reception by New York Fireboats. The first time Viking has sailed into New York, it‘s also where our Countdown To The Caribbean began as we board the ship to start writing My Viking Story.

our viking story

“To sail past Ellis Island and into New York for the first time is a proud moment for our entire Viking family. With the same spirit as the Vikings who originally sailed their longships across the Atlantic, arriving in North America signifies a new era of possibilities for our company and our guests,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “As our fleet continues to grow, we will look for new ways to bring our unique destination-focused approach to more regions of the world. There are no kids onboard, and there are no umbrella drinks. Instead, our Caribbean itineraries are inspired by iconic 18th century navigation routes and were developed to highlight the rich history and culture of the region.”

rivers - oceans - minds

The world’s leading river cruise line, Viking was recently awarded top honors as the #1 Ocean Cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s 2016 World’s Best Awards. After departing from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on October 14, Viking Star sailed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, serving as her homeport for the winter season. From San Juan, the ship will sail the 11-day West Indies Explorer itinerary, which also calls on ports in the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, St. Martin and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

life on viking star

With no sea days on the itinerary, guests are able to avoid the time at sea typically associated with Caribbean cruises originating in Florida. Still, stunningly comfortable Viking Star beckoned us back from ashore. You see, on the West Indies Explorer itinerary, guests had an opportunity to learn onboard about the destinations from local experts, historians and lecturers, as well as through a variety of included shore excursions, one at each port of call and we did every one of them.

welcome to viking's caribbean

My Viking story started with the inauguration of Viking Longships in Amsterdam and there has been no looking back ever since. It‘s the last part of that statement “…and there has been no lookng back,“ that is of particular importance here as Viking Star completes her first swing through the Caribbean. Also jumping off the page to me is that “swing through the Caribbean“ part. Both sentence fragments speak to what Viking has done in the Caribbean, a part of the cruising world that will never be same.

culture - history - comfort

Interestingly, even with an included tour du jour that ran between two and four hours in length, many Viking travelers chose to add on optional visits to museums, gardens and historic sites.

a long caribbean season

Viking Star will return to Europe in February 2017, with a transatlantic sailing from San Juan to Barcelona.

viking star brings new caribbean experience

Cruise ships come in all shapes and sizes with one sure to be a good fit for any traveler. Viking Ocean Cruises first ship Viking Star is a unique addition to the list of potential ships from which we might choose. Clean Scandinavian design lines flow from one area to another, punctuated by engaging crew members. That combination makes for enjoyable hardware and will prove to be a major factor in the Viking Caribbean experience.

local flavor we never knew was there

Quality is a significant factor in any travel experience. Experience it once on any given cruise line and we expect it again, the next time. We like a number of travel brands for that very reason: we know what to expect and they deliver it. Then there is the world of Viking Cruises. This is a universe where few other travel companies dare tread. It‘s not because they lack the financial resources, commitment to their clients or the ability to navigate the same waters of the world. It‘s because Viking aims and delivers more than they promise at every opportunity.

caribbean relaxed ambiance

We tried to stick with the thought “it‘s not fair to compare Viking Ocean Cruises to other ocean cruise lines…to either side. The Viking experience offered as “just what they do“ casts a spotlight on the service-focused, relaxed ambiance on Viking Star. Choosing not to classify their new ocean cruise experience as one of luxury, Viking promotes and delivers a very comfortable way to travel. Believing that the cruise industry had lost its way in the world of customer service, Viking places a high value on it.

the viking difference

The Viking difference brings multiple ways to engage the destination. A regional specialties menu evolves as we sail bringing unique variety to the culinary program. The ship‘s World Cafe connects with the destinations visited by Viking Star. Better yet, while giant floor to ceiling windows provide great views, they also provide temperature and humidity level control, encouraging guests to linger longer.

barbados seals the deal, by land or sea

Touring Barbados provided one of the very best examples of the influence Viking Ocean Cruises will have on Caribbean travel, by land or sea. Nothing comes close. Not a land-based travel option, all inclusive resort or ship of any other size, shape or cruise line. This is different. This is unique.

destination guides bring global view

Pair up a local expert on the places, events and experiences to bring a meaningful and engaging destination experience. Basically, this is the make it or break it element of the Viking destination focus. All of the above sets up this tour to bring the Viking magic, on paper. If that were the case, comparing tours is rather easy: there is one every single day so the experience is easy to rate…and we do every day, in writing. Thank you for asking for our feedback at the most important time: just after the tour. Moving along, the quality of the guide is not as important as it is on a river cruise or an ocean cruise in other parts of the world.

a flexible connection with the world

Onboard variables that change to reflect a local focus. A Regional Specialties tasting menu changes daily. Crew who work outside went to short sleeved shirts. Local beers were brought on board much like local wines are on river cruises. To other lines, this is not possible…but think about it: here we are in the Caribbean where local brews can be had at the rate of 3 for USD$5…but we are on a cruise line that includes beer and wine during generous mealtimes and extends it for the comparatively small sum of $19.99 per person per day. Of course they went beyond what other cruise lines do and brought local craft brews on board. Included. What‘s better than sitting dockside at the end of the day, enjoying inexpensive local beverages until the ship leaves? Being in any public space on Viking Star and have it served to you by friendly crew members you really want to talk to.

decision: go ashore - on ship- both

The Hotel Operation Rules Supreme- Testing the resilience of the Viking hotel operation, passengers are starting to figure out that the tour is important and informative…but they want to be on the ship too. That Viking tours are included as part of the deal makes sense. Having those on the comparison list greatly increases the Viking value as a result. How impressive/dominant is the hotel operation and the friendly, efficient crew who make it happen? In today‘s Viking Daily, complimentary tours of the bridge are offered at two times, limited to 20 guest each, 40 total, less than 10% of the passengers. When asked if many are turned away, the answer: “No, that‘s about right…allowing that many guests pretty much takes care of the demand“. An included behind-the-scenes tour that other lines charge between $55 and $100 per person for that is NOT full? No, those Viking travelers would rather be enjoying the ship elsewhere.

art tour worthy of our time

Viking’s Art Guide app enables Caribbean travelers to take a break from island after island paradise. I roamed the hallways and public spaces of Viking Star with my iPhone and headphones, listening to interesting narration of the places explored and information about each artist featured as well. Think that has nothing to do with the Caribbean? Think again. Moving your brain to an entirely different world then back to the subject at hand brought meaningful experiences not before available in the Caribbean. This is probably one of the least mentioned features of Viking Ocean Cruises.

the art of planning in the caribbean

Planning is a bit of an art form with the people of Viking. They just don‘t miss a beat in long and short term planning. Case in point: Next year‘s version of New York to the West Indies has already been modified. Instead of three full days at sea in a row on the way to San Juan, Viking has added a stop in kind-of-on-the-way Bermuda. The 2017 version will overnight there, losing the call in Antigua as a result. Interestingly, the Antigua tour was not one of the best comparing included tour to included tour, although the change is probably unrelated. An overnight in Hamilton will be better…but that‘s the way Viking works: they never sit still and rest on their laurels. Every time we walk on one of these Viking ships, something has been made better.

old ports through new eyes

Write your story here. (Optional)

the caribbean, beyond compare

Those who have been to the Caribbean before naturally compare this experience to others. That comparison has Viking coming out on top in all areas of interest to those on board. Remember, there are no families here, this is very much a mature traveling couples experience. By mature traveling couples I don‘t mean elderly. Quite the contrary, age is really not a topic here. Maturity in travel skills, however, is very much a topic. Not actually discussed in those terms, conversations are that of well-traveled people enjoying the company of others like them.

a wider cultural net

Surprisingly, the comparison between the other sailings we have done in the Caribbean and the Viking Caribbean experience don‘t really happen often. It would be different if Viking were trying to be someone else or cast their net a bit wider to catch more passengers. The distinction between Viking is so significant that comparisons are basically irrelevant. We thought that when considering Viking‘s place in the Caribbean and found it to be true in practice.

there are oceans and there is viking oceans

Instead of line to line comparisons, it is more common to over hear or think about comparing the Viking ocean cruise experience to ocean cruise experiences in general. That seems to be a safe place to put our brains. I say that because to do otherwise, one would have to eliminate the possibility of sailing with another line that does not fit quite so comfortably. And that comfort element of Viking Ocean Cruises is proving to be a star of the show also.

friendly faces await our return

Coming back from being ashore in the Caribbean, we want to cool off one way or another. Some go directly to the pool, others hit the spa and find the snow room to be the perfect contrast, more find a comfy cool place on the ship to do nothing. Unique Viking elements not available on other lines work because the ship is fully staffed. Without that manpower in place much of the great things Viking does would not be possible. A flexible staffing system allows that thoughtful crew to be moved where the action is at any given time.

Also happy to see Viking Star, a number of Caribbean ports that celebrated the ship’s first Caribbean season. There will be more.

an extreme sense of urgency

We saw that Viking flexibility the other night when stopping by the Explorer‘s Lounge late one afternoon. It was just after the safety drill and no one was in the space when we arrived. Us and Igor the bartender. Very shortly, the room was packed. We enjoyed the sense of urgency on display as Igor masterfully took care of that bar full of guests….briefly. Within minutes of this scene beginning, seemingly out of nowhere appeared three new bartenders followed by Bar manager Dimitri. Still, with the manpower quadrupled, that sense of urgency was there until the last passenger was served. Impressive and absolutely a quality that will serve Viking well going forward. In anticipation, we await our next Viking Story. I hope you will have the opportunity to tell yours as well.

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