Kentishincanada

Last month we were on Viking Sky Istanbul to Athens for 8 days. We were unable to reserve any dining in advance but went straight to the table outside the WC on embarkation and reserved Chef’s Table for that evening. We subsequently had three meals in CT and in our opinion it was by far the best food on the ship. The menu changed three times and each one was a delight, superbly cooked and plated. Spike, at CT reception was so very helpful and managed to fit us in if we were prepared to wait a little while. The accompanying wines were also very good. Our dinner at Manfredi’s seemed rushed and noisy by comparison and we didn’t feel the food reached the same standard.

A couple of weeks ago, we took the Viking day excursion in Athens “Beautiful Coastlines ……” It included the Corinth canal and Mycenae. It was well worth the money and we had a very enjoyable day with included lunch. We can highly recommend this excursion and our guide Anna was excellent. Previous cruise we used George Taxi for an airport pick-up and also transport to the ship the next day. They were very efficient. For that cruise we stayed at Athens Gate Hotel, fairly small but very good location.

We board Sky on 22 Oct. and the lack of maps will be exceedingly irritating to me. It seems like gross penny pinching (which Viking advertises it is not) to avoid printing a few paper maps for those of us who prefer them. We only travel with one mobile so should either of us wish to separate during a port visit one of us is without a map. After all, so many of the ports are replicated over a season, it wouldn’t be too difficult for Viking.

I agree, and I think viking will need to appeal to the adventurer in us. It is probably difficult as they need to turn around crew, provisioning, etc., but the embarkation ports usually being Barcelona, Athens etc., are difficult if one wants to have a good pre-cruise experience somewhere new. We are due to board Sky in Istanbul on 22 Oct., so I was reading your review and Dr. Koob’s with much interest. It would have been difficult for Viking to keep up the standard without the Covid intervention. I know that you, like us, enjoyed the Sea cruise in 2016 when everything as almost perfect. We went on to take the Southern Atlantic Crossing in 2019 and already things were not quite as good: As an example, the melt in the mouth steak in Manfredi’s in 2016 was thinner and sometimes half went back although the dover sole was still good and we did enjoy consistently excellent dinners in Chef’s Table. Food is an important part of the cruise for us so I do hope we find some of that star quality from our first Viking cruise. We certainly didn’t have the multiple server problems which are being encountered recently and always developed a good rapport with a certain server in the restaurant. We also enjoy the spa very much so hopefully those jets are working now. We are looking to book a couple of cruises for next year and if this one does not measure up, we may look at Oceania if the itineraries are different as we have no interest in the large ships. However, from reading the blogs, all the lines are having difficulties keeping up the standard. In any event, I am sure that the staff on our upcoming cruise will still be Viking terrific which makes up for a lot. I will write a review when we return.

We took the Madrid pre-extension in 2019. It was early November so few tourists. We really enjoyed the few days - the hotel Intercontinental was very well situated for taxis and walking with a very good breakfast. The Viking rep. At the hotel gave us some excellent suggestions for restaurants close by and our museum visit was also wonderful. Train to Barcelona was very pleasant, first class seats, and we had lunch on board. We didn’t have any of MSEm’s problem with the bus transfer in Barcelona but it was, of course, pre-Covid. Enjoy Madrid - it is a very beautiful and comfortable city to visit.

Definitely ‘yes’ to included gratuities - it really bugs me to have to pay them later. Quite enjoyed Beatles/Abba as the deck party but enough for the theatre. Agree Rat Pack have had their day. When I read WC blogs, I was impressed with the ethnic food served - maybe a few good curries etc. for lunch in World Cafe sometimes would be nice. Manfredis isn’t too much of a problem for us as it is usually only the one or two visits. Hope if they change they keep the dover sole and the Florentine steak! There is a lack of lamb on the ships and I have yet to see a rack of lamb on the evening menu - for me eating lamb chops for breakfast is a stretch too far. Itineraries not starting or finishing Barcelona or Athens are of interest to us as we like to spend a few days pre and post and have visited both of them too many times.

We were on this cruise in 2019 - loved it. Barcelona was quite cold, Malaga cool but after that it was warm all the way. Sea was calm all the way over and we spent many hours by the pool. Rio was cloudy but hot and we enjoyed the all day excursion including an amazing lunch. Uruguay and BA were resplendent in flowering Jacaranda trees. Hope to take this cruise again in another couple of years.

If your hotel is in Kensington, you might want to look at National Express coach. Very easy walk from elevator at Terminal 2. The Victoria bound coach usually stops in Kensington en route and it is quite inexpensive - driver handles your luggage on to the bus.

We also stayed at Athens Gate. Great little hotel and not too expensive. We certainly had “a room with a view” and as PRH has mentioned, their rooftop restaurant is lovely for both dinner and breakfast,

Our thanks also for the insight and our daily ‘must read’. Your blog has also developed our thirst for a WC - our longest to date has been the Southern Atlantic Crossing. All the best to you both and hopefully we may meet on one of our future cruises. J & J