We, too, are aboard this voyage to Barcelona, our second transatlantic with Viking — the first being last year also aboard the Sea. The difference in the number of passengers between the two voyages has been and continues to be impactful! Our embarkation was a bit unorganized although I fault the San Juan authorities for any confusion we experienced; once in Viking’s hands, things went smoothly. We appreciated the muster drill/safety explanation approach and we’re quickly in our cabin unpacking. Here’s where things started to go a bit south.
The chairs in our stateroom were ripped and frayed, not exactly what should be on a Viking ship. There were no Frejya (sorry if I have misspelled this) bath products, just tiny bottles of something made in China — explanation was that Viking couldn’t get their products from Europe to Puerto Rico…..supply chain issue??. The wines offered on the Silver Package are fewer this year than last and right now the quality of food isn’t what we experienced in the past. We have been unable to get additional reservations for Manfredi’s or the Chef’s Table, but we’re told that it might be possible after March 20. For those to whom this matters, we are seeing many, many more baseball hats in the Restaurant and World Cafe.
But the staff is wonderful and we are on a great trip and the seas have been calm. Everything is relative.