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.

1 hour ago, CCWineLover said:

 

We asked about maps on our July cruise.  We told that from now on all Viking ships will not produce maps.  1. Too many complaine the maps were poor quality and 2. Too many use their phones for maps or have their own.  Many apparently told Viking to not waste the effort for a very small few.  Their words not mine.  I like paper maps

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

Very disappointed to hear these comments as I fear they may echo our experiences.  Our first cruise with Viking 2016 Athens to Venice was wonderful.  Without exception the meals were memorable - the Tuscan steak in Manfredis melted in the mouth.  We took our second cruise Southern Atlantic Crossing in 2019 prior to Covid problems.  We noticed a big change in the food quality, same Tuscan steak was grisly, dover soles small and dry and most of the fish dishes served cold and rather overcooked.  Chef’s table was always good.  The excursions were also below par.   I did write to Viking on our return and had a long conversation with them about my perceived shortcomings. 
 

However, I love the ships, the spa, the staterooms and,  on both of the cruises the staff.  We have booked again with them for October this year Istanbul to Athens.  I do hope they can sort themselves out or we also will look for another line.  
 

I have been following the blogs from the world cruise passengers and Viking seem to pulling out all the stops for them, justifiably.  Perhaps Viking could also offer some of the delicious looking destination cuisine and some good spicy curries etc., instead of the nursery food.  Seems like they are offering interesting mass excursions for them i.e. the Greek experience (something like the Azamara) evenings which would be a little more exciting than Abba.

We took the Southern Atlantic Crossing, Barcelona to Buenos Aires Nov. 2019.  The seas were very calm almost all of the trip - a little choppy for half a day outside Rio.  We absolutely loved the trip and despite quite a few sea days we were never bored.  Viking had some fascinating speakers, I played bridge, swam and even enjoyed their screening of Evita just before landing in BA.  We now have a thirst for TA and are hoping to book another next year and yes we would even consider doing the Southern Atlantic Crossing all over again.

1 hour ago, Mrs Miggins said:

How lovely to hear from you.  Have done several Viking cruises since.  Last one at New Year was cancelled due to the French not allowing Brits to get off ships.  As It happens they did but Viking offered us the opportunity to postpone.  Now booked for September.

The spa is one of my favourite places.

We also managed to take the long Southern Atlantic Crossing just before the shut-down.    It was wonderful.  We are now booked in October VO Istanbul to Athens.  We have also managed a couple of trips to the UK and hoping to get over again in April. 

Yes Pam, I sincerely hope too many people don’t discover the spa pool.  I have excellent memories of meeting you in the spa during the Athens/Venice cruise a few years ago.  A fine place to relax and chat.      Jill

We did the Madrid extension a couple of years ago.  We were boarding in Barcelona.  We stayed at the Intercontinental.  The room wasn’t wonderful, but then most European city hotels rooms are smallish, but the breakfast was excellent as was the city tour.  We were also taken by train to Barcelona.  We felt the extension was very good value and we enjoyed the restaurants etc.  that the Viking representative recommended.

Very interesting - thank you.  We shall certainly make sure we have our visas and US$!

1 hour ago, PasadenaDave said:

Search out the blog “My Home on the Roam”.  The author is in Istanbul currently and has posted two days of her time with a guide.  Her blog is very enjoyable 

We are sailing on Sky in October Istanbul to Athens.  We hope to spend a few days pre-cruise on our own in Istanbul and wondering if anyone has had good experiences with hiring a private guide who can take us around.  

We actually gathered in the hotel about 10.00 am and our train was about 11.20 am arriving Barcelona around 2.45 - not sure of exact times.  Meanwhile Viking had driven our luggage from Madrid to Barcelona so we just boarded the train with our carry-on bag.  Once we arrived in Barcelona a bus was waiting to take us directly to the ship.

We are currently sitting in first class on the train from Madrid to Barcelona where we board Jupiter for our Southern Atlantic crossing.  I wanted to write this before it becomes jumbled with other ports and to give other passengers confidence to book the extension.

We were met at the airport by the Viking representative and six of us were transported to the Intercontinental Hotel for our two night stay.  The hotel is excellent and we found it very easy to walk around the city.  We had a meeting on arrival with our Viking Rep David who gave us a map and lots of hints for restaurants sights etc.  We then took David’s advice and visited a fabulous restaurant local to the hotel for late lunch which morphed into dinner.

Next morning we gathered for our included tour.  In good Viking fashion we were on two buses which were half full so we did not feel at all ‘herded’.  Our guide was Claudia and what a gem.  She walked us around the Prado Museum and had the ability to make so many of the art works come alive.  After our tour, we took David’s advice and had lunch on one of the rooftop bars overlooking the city - it was a gorgeous day and we had a lovely view.  More wining and dining that evening before packing for the trip to Barcelona.

After a wonderful Intercontinental breakfast we were introduced to Monica who is currently doing a great job of keeping us happy on the train - lots more wine.

Could we have done this stopover cheaper?  Yes, I am sure we could, however we felt so free to enjoy beautiful Madrid without worrying about anything that I would wholeheartedly recommend this extension especially if, like us, the burden of luggage etc.,is getting a bit much.

Next step Jupiter.

J & J

I have to say that Viking could improve in this area.  We are also doing the Madrid extension and I had to call Viking to get some more details.  I am sure that it will be well organized but we are meeting up with others in our party both in Madrid and Barcelona and needed some times so that we can reserve dinners etc.  We now have train times and information and learns that the city tour is the second day, however all we had on our Viking documentation was the Hotel Intercontinental.

We are also on Jupiter but Southern Crossing arriving Malaga on 16 November.  One of the attractions of this cruise was Alhambra and it has completely disappeared from the excursion list.  I contacted Viking but was not offered an explanation:  in our case it is not even a sold out scenario.  We are very upset and it will probably make us think twice before booking Viking again, especially as it still features in the promotional material on line.  I find it difficult to believe that it is not possible to arrange a ship’s excursion to such an iconic place.  I wholeheartedly agree about Viking customer service.

I will be interested to hear about your private tour which unfortunately is not our sailing. Our concern was timing and cutting it short for sailing if not using the ship’s tour. 

We are also on the Southern Atlantic cruise in November.  We are misplaced Brits living in Ottawa.  We were a little concerned about the many sea days but a couple of years ago after disembarking Viking Sea, having had a port every day, we realized that we hadn’t had time to enjoy the beautiful ship and the wonderful spa, etc.  I was pleased to hear there is bridge and I saw an article in the Daily Telegraph about an astronomer on board Jupiter which sounds exciting. 

Hope to meet you on board.  We are doing the Madrid pre-cruise extension.

I signed up to meet and mingle for this cruise today.

We were on the Empires cruise a couple of years ago on Viking Sea.  We loved every minute but we had very full time with a port every day and dancing most evenings.

We are now booked on the Southern Atlantic Crossing in November with fewer ports and I must admit that I am a little concerned whether we may find it a bit ‘slow’.  I am hoping that there is some sort of Aquafit or Zumba.  I am also a keen bridge player so hoping something structured is set up.  I have been encouraged by other posts about Transatlantic cruises having brunches etc.

 I am sure Viking is aware of the need to fill all those sea days for passengers without the need for casinos or tacky entertainment.  We certainly had fun on our last Viking cruise.

The coffee bar on Deck 1 served by far the best coffee on Viking Sea, from my experience. Beware however, taking lunch at the bar. Even though they serve delicious snacks, the lunchtime wine was not free at this venue.