Ranger Mom

I always look forward to WC season and follow along (plus individual blogs). Next season's cruisers will have big shoes to fill! Thank you so much for bringing us along with you. All the best to you.

I had battered and fried scallops at the WC that I still think about... maybe I'll see them on the 3/2 Atlantic Crossing?

I was in Ephesus last January with Viking and one thing I had not anticipated was because it chilly in the morning, the ground was a little slippery as it warmed up. And while Ephesus is generally flat, there is a downward slope as you move to the library. Going in January, there were very few people there which made the experience even more spectacular. I'd go back in a heart beat. Enjoy!

I agree with everyone who has encouraged you to go. You will not regret it. I am still working, single and not wealthy by any stretch, but I have never experienced any snobbery. Nearly everyone has been friendly and kind. I did my first VO cruise four years ago at 55 and have my fifth scheduled for the spring. On my most recent cruises in June 2022 and January 2023, it felt like the average age was a bit younger. Regardless, I have loved each and every trip I've taken with Viking.

Personally, I like to wait for the promo codes. I prefer to have my own cabin, and they will sometimes offer a 50% single supplement (rather than 75%, or none). I'm also not so well traveled that I can't find an itinerary that appeals to me. I am still working, but don't need to plan too far in advance. I recently booked the Atlantic Crossing with the Thanksgiving promo and feel it was an excellent value.

Apparently, none! I was on a couple Carnival cruises many, many years ago and then returned to cruising on Viking (talk about being raptured), and the level of comfort and relaxation I've felt on my four VO cruises makes me leery to try anything else. Also, I like to have my own cabin or travel solo, which adds to the cost. So my reasoning is, if I'm going to spend so much, I want to be sure I'm happy with my choice. I will say, I've been checking out the Oceania board based on comments from people here and while the consensus seems to be the food is better, I find after about three days onboard, I'm over the food, so that wouldn't be a deciding factor for me.

LOVE this thread! Cruises are like my kids- I can't pick a favorite. I loved Mediterranean Odyssey because of the great ports and it was my first Viking cruise. Bermuda was special because it was a return to travel; Scenic Scandinavia was wonderful because there were so many places I hadn't been before and I traveled solo (thoroughly enjoyed that experience). My most recent, earlier this year, was the Athens to Istanbul. Lots of new ports, but eight days wasn't long enough on the ship.

I have traveled solo on Viking and I loved it. I enjoy jigsaw puzzles and met a lot of nice people at the puzzle table. I met some on excursions and some at events on the ship. I found the already exceptional crew to be even more exceptional when I was alone (I've been on four Viking cruises). I have a good friend I usually travel with, and have cruised with since my solo trip, but I am looking forward to going alone again. Enjoy!

The scones don't change, but the sandwiches/pastries do. I loved afternoon tea and tried to attend a couple times each cruise. Try it early in your voyage in case you love it too!

I love your attitude!

I did this cruise June 2022 and loved it. While I didn't do the biking tours, I did do the Berlin excursion that included a trip to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and I am so glad I did. It was a long day, but as always, Viking took care of us. We boarded the train right next to the ship, snacks were delivered on the way to/from Berlin and we got to see some of the countryside. Copenhagen and Stockholm are beautiful cities (the picture was taken from my balcony in Stockholm and what I thought was a smudge, turned out to be a hot air balloon). I enjoyed Visby and our guide was fantastic. Gdansk was lovely as well. We did miss one port, but I'd have to look to see which one it was. Have a wonderful trip!