Live from the Viking Sky (Ft Lauderdale to London) December 20, 2023 - May 6, 2024

[Kountess]

14 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Chag Pesach Sameach to all who celebrate Passover.  We joined some of the Jewish guests onboard for Seder this evening. @drjj (who apparently has been leading the Sabbath services) asked Viking if it was possible to have a Seder and other than putting together the program and leading it, the great staff and crew onboard did the rest.

What a wonderful celebration!  I'm amazed that Viking could manage to put together all the traditional foods while sailing along the coast of Africa.  Perhaps the request was made much earlier so they could stock up on essentials.

 

I'm planning to request a traditional Southern New Year's Day dinner of black-eyed peas and collard greens while we're on our upcoming World Cruise!  We'll see how that goes!

[TravelerTeacherRetired]

Thanks for this info. Might hand wash a bunch. 
BTW, I read a Viking article “what not to pack”.  It said don’t bring umbrella. Said they are supplied in the cabin. Is that so? Or is a small travel umbrella recommended. 

[OneSixtyToOne]

12 minutes ago, TravelerTeacherRetired said:

Thanks for this info. Might hand wash a bunch. 
BTW, I read a Viking article “what not to pack”.  It said don’t bring umbrella. Said they are supplied in the cabin. Is that so? Or is a small travel umbrella recommended. 

There are umbrellas provided in the cabin and also at the gangplank when raining. However they are VERY large. I pack a travel umbrella. 
 

I was given a Davek for my birthday. By far the best umbrella I’ve ever used. One button open and close, made to get in and out of cabs. It’s also wind proof. Lifetime guarantee. 50% off replacement if lost or stolen. As a bonus, it has a very NYC feature, a heavy metal knob on the end that can be used to beat a mugger.

https://davekny.com

Edited April 22 by OneSixtyToOne

[TravelerTeacherRetired]

Perfect. Thank you. 

[janetcbl]

16 hours ago, TravelerTeacherRetired said:

Thanks for this info. Might hand wash a bunch. 
BTW, I read a Viking article “what not to pack”.  It said don’t bring umbrella. Said they are supplied in the cabin. Is that so? Or is a small travel umbrella recommended. 

Suggest you bring a small foldable umbrella. The ones that Viking supplies are huge.

[TravelerTeacherRetired]

Thanks regarding the umbrella.. 

haven’t cruised in years and feel like a newbie regarding packing for Scandinavia. Any packing tips/suggestions for guys/gals is appreciated. 

 

[OneSixtyToOne]

10 minutes ago, TravelerTeacherRetired said:

Thanks regarding the umbrella.. 

haven’t cruised in years and feel like a newbie regarding packing for Scandinavia. Any packing tips/suggestions for guys/gals is appreciated. 

 

Don’t overpack. The self-service laundry is completely.

Dress in layers and take a good raincoat or weatherproof jacket. Depending on itinerary, the wind may be brutal. A scarf or neck gator is advised. If raining, even with a hooded jacket, a hat with a brim will help keep the rain off your face

 

A warm sweater is helpful. The Star Theater cranks up the A/C to cool it down for performances. It’s always freezing in there.

Edited April 23 by OneSixtyToOne

[Clay Clayton]

Fun day day before yesterday in Tenerife-we did the included which took us over the mountains to Porta de la Cruz. Enjoyable free time there followed by a short ride to the botanical garden and time there.   

After returning to the pier, Mike and I walked to the Auditrorio for their guided tour.  Easy to reserve online and only €5 (unless you’re like me and over 65 in which case it’s only €3.50!). This was the last major building of Santiago Calatrava we hadn’t visited so happy to get to tour it in person. 

From scuttlebutt, most everyone enjoyed the port. It was interesting to be back in a port with other ships. We were joined by Sky Princess, Norwegian Star, Celebrity Ascent, and a National Geographic Expedition ship. 

[deec]

Clay,        I did not know anything about santiago calatrava's buildings and bridges.  A Google search and I am awed....now I want to go find as many as we can....maybe a driving tour throughout the USA?  Pretty sure we saw "woman's bridge"  in Buenos Aires from the bus.

[OneSixtyToOne]

1 hour ago, deec said:

Clay,        I did not know anything about santiago calatrava's buildings and bridges.  A Google search and I am awed....now I want to go find as many as we can....maybe a driving tour throughout the USA?  Pretty sure we saw "woman's bridge"  in Buenos Aires from the bus.

This one in Buenos Aires? It’s right down the street from the hotel we stayed at on the Viking extension.

 

[deec]

we were in Sofitel in Recoletta ( good hotel , nice location near the cemetery  ) and then the Intercontinental ( ok hotel BAD location).  I think those  at the HiIlton had it best!

[Clay Clayton]

Just now, OneSixtyToOne said:

This one in Buenos Aires? It’s right down the street from the hotel we stayed at on the Viking extension.

 

Did you get to see it open?  

[Clay Clayton]

Just now, deec said:

Clay,        I did not know anything about santiago calatrava's buildings and bridges.  A Google search and I am awed....now I want to go find as many as we can....maybe a driving tour throughout the USA?  Pretty sure we saw "woman's bridge"  in Buenos Aires from the bus.

Not sure where you are but if anywhere near Milwaukee-then his addition to it is where I would go. Time it so you’re there at noon (verify I have the time correct) so you can see the wings flap. 

[OneSixtyToOne]

12 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Did you get to see it open?  

No, unfortunately.

[Clay Clayton]

Our optional excursion today was called “A taste of Morocco”. It was held at the Argan museum and from what I understood, it’s a co-op mostly of women producing and selling this traditional product of the Berbers. The Argan tree only grows naturally in Morocco and is prized for its oil which is used for cooking and cosmetics.
 

When we arrived at the beautiful museum we had a bowl of chicken, potatoes, turnips, onions, carrots, garlic, preserved lemon, tomatoes, olives, and zucchini waiting on us. We first placed the chicken in the bottom of the tajine and poked slits in it. It was then sprinkled with salt, pepper, turmeric, and dry ginger. After a generous dollop of Argan oil, we layered the veggies in a teepee around it topping all with more spices, oil and the preserved lemon. The top was then placed tightly on and each was placed on a charcoal brazier. While they cooked, we made a salad and dessert.

 

 

We each made our own salad using tomatoes, cucumber, onion, peppers, parsley, Argan oil, lemon, salt & pepper. It was amazing to see how diffferent each person’s salad turned out…but all were delicious!

Dessert was a type of barley couscous steamed three times (for a few minutes each time), the last two with the addition of amlou which is a paste made of ground almonds, Argan oil, and honey.  The big bowl of couscous you see was prepared before we arrived.  We each then made our own bowl of it with a well in middle and almond stuffed dates on top. Amlou was then poured into the well. It was a delicious and very filling dessert.  I don’t think anyone finished their whole bowl!

 

We were served delicious mint tea as the grand finale for our meal.  We learned that the reason for the fancy pouring is to get some foam on the top of the tea! #whoknew
 

While our tajines were cooking and our salads marinating, we did a tour of the museum. There was a section dedicated to information about the tree and the climate of Morocco, a section with a Berber lady showing us the traditional way the nut was opened and then later ground to release its oil.  We also saw a more modern machine which grinds and oils them.  We then were able to taste what our guide said was a typical breakfast-bread with bowls of oil, amlou, and orange honey for dipping.  And then of course we exited through the gift shop!😂. The museum was beautiful and the people we met so friendly and warm.  

 

We are looking forward to Casablanca tomorrow (and a very light supper tonight😂)

 

Unfortunately, I can’t get the rest of the pictures to load.  If you’re interested see Instagram @ClaynMike 

[Missmelisk]

@Clay Clayton - Just a message of thanks for letting me (all of us!) follow along with you on your adventures! My mom and I (80 years young!) are in the airport awaiting our flight to Venice, where we'll board our first Viking Cruise on 4/27. I feel like I know you guys, and I'm just coming to terms with the fact that you won't actually BE on our ship with us. Enjoy your last days on your trip of a lifetime! 

[ustowas]

On 4/21/2024 at 11:53 AM, Peregrina651 said:

 

No such animal. It is either Homelands boarding May 20 on Sky or May 23 on Neptune.

 

[ustowas]

May 23 on Neptune!. sorry we fly out on the 22.

[Groovybusybee]

I’ve been following both World Cruise threads since the beginning, and have thoroughly enjoyed living vicariously through you. Thanks.

 

I’m just a little curious though………as your adventure comes towards its end, what are your emotions? Are you ready for home and your own bed? What will you miss the most? Would you do it again???  Was there a point when you were home sick?

 

feel free to answer or ignore.

 

Debbie

 

 

 

 

[Clay Clayton]

15 hours ago, Missmelisk said:

@Clay Clayton - Just a message of thanks for letting me (all of us!) follow along with you on your adventures! My mom and I (80 years young!) are in the airport awaiting our flight to Venice, where we'll board our first Viking Cruise on 4/27. I feel like I know you guys, and I'm just coming to terms with the fact that you won't actually BE on our ship with us. Enjoy your last days on your trip of a lifetime! 

Hope you have a great cruise and I haven’t raised your expectations too high.  Hope you pass along anything you discover to others. 

[Clay Clayton]

2 hours ago, Groovybusybee said:

I’ve been following both World Cruise threads since the beginning, and have thoroughly enjoyed living vicariously through you. Thanks.

 

I’m just a little curious though………as your adventure comes towards its end, what are your emotions? Are you ready for home and your own bed? What will you miss the most? Would you do it again???  Was there a point when you were home sick?

 

feel free to answer or ignore.

 

Debbie

 

 

 

 

Hopefully some other WCers will weigh in also. 
 

The last sea days before we started this stretch of final port days, I was melancholy.  Not because the cruise was coming to an end (though that was certainly the root cause), but because I realized that taking a world cruise had always been a “some day” goal.  With that goal fulfilled, what to look forward to? What to try to plan?  
 

Thankfully, we are now fully engaged with our port days so as Scarlet would have said, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.” 😂

 

To answer your questions:

Not opposed to home and my own bed, but would be happy to stay on board 

 

Other than not having someone cook, wash-up, make beverages, go grocery shopping, clean our bathroom twice a day, the things we will miss the MOST are the wonderful crew.  On a “regular” cruise you get to kinda know the crew but  after four months, many have become more like friends and I will miss knowing how their lives are going. Our favorite bartender’s wife is due in June-would love to know how they are doing….will our favorite waiter and waitress end up getting married….etc. 
 

We have said we would definitely do it again!

 

Never homesick. (See cooking, cleaning, etc😂)

[BobCatter]

Hey Sky: is it possible to walk to Rick’s Cafe from the ship?
 

[Azulann]

Clay, I  love your description and pictures  of your  tour in Morocco above and the great meal you had. 

I have been to Tangiers twice.  Got some Argon oil and spices  including saffron last time. It was all so good. Wish I had bought  more.

 Three times Casablanca port on my previous  cruises have been cancelled, so I figure it was never meant to be ...

I am also following your pictures on X too. 

Cannot believe that your WC is now in final count down days. 😔

 

 

[Clay Clayton]

On 4/27/2024 at 3:30 AM, BobCatter said:

Hey Sky: is it possible to walk to Rick’s Cafe from the ship?
 

As I recall, it was quite a walk from where we ported to the gate, from there probably not too far. If y’all are at the new terminal might be easier. If not  Probably better to take the shuttle to the Hyatt and walk, that isn’t too far. 
 

 

On 4/28/2024 at 1:10 AM, Azulann said:

Clay, I  love your description and pictures  of your  tour in Morocco above and the great meal you had. 

I have been to Tangiers twice.  Got some Argon oil and spices  including saffron last time. It was all so good. Wish I had bought  more.

 Three times Casablanca port on my previous  cruises have been cancelled, so I figure it was never meant to be ...

I am also following your pictures on X too. 

Cannot believe that your WC is now in final count down days. 😔

 

 

it is even harder to believe onboard!  

[Clay Clayton]

Sorry to have not posted in awhile.  The innerwebs have been very slow and CC wouldn’t even open.  Typing this from Porto (Leixões really) on cellular so hopefully will load. 
 

We had long day tours in both Casablanca and Tangiers both of which were enjoyable but tiring. Lots of walking (and other guests complaining about it🤔).  
 

Rabat was interesting but a long drive to get there but a very tasty tagine lunch, visit to a former king’s tomb as well as the walk through the casbah and Medina.

 

 

Our trip to Tetuan was equally long, the Medina even more interesting and the meal not as good but it came with a show. 

 

 

 

 

We did our own thing both days in Lisbon since we had been there for several weeks during our nomadic years.  Lots of walking but most enjoyable to be back. And we really enjoyed the destination performance of Fado onboard with a glass of port. 

 

 

 

 

 

Since we are docked an hour outside of Porto and also “lived” here for a bit, we are going to walk over to the beach and generally have a rest day here. Tomorrow we have a long long tour to Santiago de Compostelo so figure it will be wise to lay low today. 

Tonight, we are having a special Italian dinner in the Restaurant served “Family Style”. If it is anything like the other special dinner they did and the more recent special nights in the WC, it should be quite wonderful.