Setting Sail: My First Viking Ocean Cruise Through the British Isles
For someone who had never set foot on a cruise ship, the idea of embarking on a week-long voyage was an intriguing prospect. My longest maritime experience was a rather brief overnight ferry from Ireland to France, hardly the stuff of grand seafaring tales. Yet, a persistent curiosity about this particular mode of travel lingered. This year, that curiosity was finally met with an invitation to experience my inaugural cruise, and fittingly, the destination was my home country, Ireland.
To truly gauge one’s enjoyment of something, the best approach is often to simply dive in. With this philosophy in mind, I packed my bags, secured my freshly minted Australian passport, and enlisted my mother, back in Ireland, as my trusted travel companion. Together, we set sail with Viking Cruises, embarking on the aptly named “British Isles Explorer” route, a journey tracing a path from Norway to Ireland and the United Kingdom. Join me as I recount the unfolding adventure, offering a glimpse into the world of Viking Ocean Cruises and the captivating itinerary that lay before us.
Day 2: Bergen’s Nordic Charm and a Taste of Local Delights
Our first official day aboard commenced in the picturesque city of Bergen. With a shore excursion planned for the afternoon, the morning was dedicated to a rejuvenating experience at the Nordic Spa. After a delightful breakfast at the World Cafe, a venue boasting an impressive array of culinary options to satisfy diverse palates – from classic American fare like Texas French toast and biscuits and gravy to authentic Norwegian dishes for those eager to sample local flavours – the stage was set for relaxation. The Texas French toast, I must admit, was an absolute revelation.
Fueled by our satisfying breakfast, we donned our swimwear and plush dressing gowns, making our way to the spa. The main spa area featured a therapeutic thermal pool equipped with invigorating water jets, a bubbling hot tub, a steamy sauna, a serene meditation zone, and a unique snow grotto. Within the separate changing rooms, further amenities awaited: a traditional sauna and a bracing cold plunge pool. The thermal pool offered a perfectly calibrated warmth, delivering ample relaxation without being overwhelmingly hot. As is standard practice, a pre-immersion shower is recommended before entering the pool, steam room, or snow grotto. However, Viking offered a novel twist on this routine with two experimental showers. One provided a multi-head experience with adjustable water temperatures, while the other presented a simple water bucket – a delightful nod to a classic “bush shower,” which, as a fan of such experiences, quickly became my personal favourite.
After a blissful morning spent soaking in the spa’s tranquility, the allure of the main pool proved irresistible, especially since we were already in our swimwear. Located on Deck Seven, just a short stroll from the World Cafe, the main pool area includes a heated swimming pool, a convenient pool bar, and a grill. The pool itself was comfortably heated and offered a respectable depth, ideal for a few laps to work up an appetite. Once we’d had our fill of swimming, we returned to our stateroom to freshen up and prepare for our much-anticipated walking tour of Bergen.
Shore Excursion: A Walk Through Bergen’s Historic Heart
A distinctive feature of Viking Cruises is the provision of a complimentary shore excursion at every port of call. In Bergen, this took the form of a guided walking tour. We met our guide, Mathieu, at the port terminal, ready to explore the city. As is often the case in Bergen, known for its abundant rainfall, we encountered one of its characteristic damp days. Some of our fellow travellers were not adequately attired for the inclement weather, which meant our group dwindled to a dedicated six for the tour. Mathieu, a local resident, expertly guided us through the historic Viking and Hanseatic port, including the iconic Bryggen wharf. Beyond imparting fascinating historical insights into the area, Mathieu generously shared his personal recommendations for local eateries and watering holes.
One such recommendation led us to Fjåk Chocolate, a charming hot chocolate cafe. While neither my mother nor I are typically avid hot chocolate drinkers, the allure of sampling local fare, coupled with the chilly, damp air, persuaded us to indulge. The hot chocolate proved to be an absolute delight. I opted for the rich 60% Haitian dark chocolate, while my mother chose the smoother 45% milk chocolate variety. For those with a penchant for sweetness, the cafe also offered tempting options like spiced gingerbread and matcha-infused hot chocolates, alongside an array of coffees and delectable pastries.
Preparing for Departure: Games, Tea, and a Taste of the Viking Experience
Back aboard the ship, the crew was diligently preparing for our departure. After drying off from our excursion, we retreated to the games room for a competitive (and for me, ultimately losing) game of Scrabble against my mother. It was during this time that the routine safety drill was conducted – a brief but necessary announcement and alarm. By 4 pm, our attention turned to the afternoon tea service in the Wintergarden. The venue was bustling, so we joined a friendly couple from Washington state and another lady from Wisconsin. It soon transpired that they were seasoned Viking cruisers, and their enthusiasm for the cruise line was palpable.
The afternoon tea itself was a refined affair. A comprehensive tea menu allowed for personal selection; I chose a spiced cinnamon blend, while my mother favoured a classic Earl Grey. Accompanying the tea were traditional high tea accompaniments: freshly baked scones and delicate finger sandwiches. We savoured these treats while listening to our new American acquaintances enthusiastically recount their previous high-seas adventures with Viking.
Dinner that evening was a culinary highlight, held in The Restaurant, the ship’s main dining venue on Deck Two. The dress code was “elegant casual,” a straightforward guideline that essentially meant no jeans or casual footwear. Gentlemen were expected to wear shirts and trousers, while ladies could opt for dresses or smart trousers and tops.
The menu is a dynamic entity, changing nightly to reflect the culinary traditions of the day’s port city, with a “chef’s choice” dish inspired by local flavours. For those who prefer familiar favourites, a selection of classic options, such as steak and fries, are available every evening. My mother and I were consistently impressed by the exceptional quality of the food and the impeccable service.
On our first night, we both selected the same starters and mains, diverging only at dessert. We began with a chicken curry croquette, essentially an Indian-spiced arancini ball, followed by a succulent duck breast accompanied by a vibrant blueberry sauce and the most incredibly smooth carrot mash for the main course. For dessert, I indulged in a divine espresso mousse, while my mother opted for a perfectly executed crème brûlée. We complemented our meal with a delightful French Syrah. As we dined, the ship transitioned into open waters, and the gentle sway of the ocean began to make itself known.
To formally mark the commencement of our cruise, the captain hosted a Welcome Reception in the Star Theatre. He introduced the senior staff, including the ship’s onboard historian, a proud Queenslander, and the talented musical performers. Following a series of captivating musical performances, we retired for the night, anticipating an early start the following day.
Day One: Arriving in Bergen and a Seamless Check-In
As I was travelling from Australia, I arrived in Bergen, our first port of call, a day prior to the official disembarkation. My mother, joining me from Ireland, had already spent a couple of days exploring Bergen with my father. Our usual visits are typically confined to Christmas or weddings, so enjoying local delicacies such as reindeer hotdogs and Norwegian beer together – both surprisingly delicious, I might add – was a welcome and novel experience.
However, for those opting for this cruise itinerary, arriving on the day of departure is perfectly feasible. Viking offers convenient airport shuttle services, with Bergen Airport located approximately 40-45 minutes away. As I was adjusting to the time difference from Australia, I found the extra night to acclimatise invaluable.
The check-in process, a point of uncertainty for a first-time cruiser, proved to be remarkably smooth. Viking had provided luggage tags in advance, which we simply attached to our bags. Upon arrival at the port, the attentive staff promptly took charge of our luggage, assuring us it would be delivered directly to our staterooms – a promise they fulfilled. As both my mother and I hold European citizenship, passport control at the port was exceptionally straightforward. For other nationalities, the process was only marginally more involved, typically requiring a photograph, akin to airport passport control.
While searching for my boarding pass, I was engaged by a fellow passenger who recognised The Australian Women’s Weekly magazine I was carrying. It turned out she, Aly, and her partner Dave, were also from Australia and embarking on their first Viking cruise, though not complete novices like ourselves.
Upon boarding, we were warmly greeted by the crew with sparkling wine and juices. After a brief but essential safety demonstration, we were invited to relax while our staterooms were prepared. We took the opportunity to explore the ship’s central lounge area, the Living Room, and took advantage of our Silver Spirits Package with a pre-dinner cocktail before our orientation tour.
Orientation Tour: Navigating the Ship’s Amenities
Despite its classification as a smaller cruise ship, the vessel is by no means diminutive. Across its nine decks, the primary venues are conveniently located on Decks One, Two, and Seven.
Wes, the Head of Client Services, led a group of fellow first-time passengers, including our new Australian friends, on an informative tour. Decks One and Two are dedicated to the ship’s diverse dining options, offering around eight distinct restaurants. The Chef’s Table stands out as a more upscale, degustation-style venue featuring wine pairings and a formal dress code (no jeans permitted). Adjacent to it is Manfreddi’s, an authentic Italian restaurant. On Deck Two, you’ll find “The Restaurant,” aptly named and offering a more traditional dining experience. For those preferring a more casual approach, the World Cafe on Deck Seven provides a buffet-style eatery with an extensive selection of food. Additionally, The Grill, situated near one of the pools, offers al fresco dining, and afternoon tea is served in the elegant Wintergarden.
Beyond the culinary offerings, the ship boasts multiple swimming pools, a comprehensive spa complete with a thermal pool, snow grotto, and sauna, a well-equipped gym, and an array of bars to suit every preference. My mother and I attempted to commit a mental map of the ship’s layout before returning to our staterooms to unpack and finalise our shore excursion plans.
Our Stateroom: An Unexpected Upgrade
Fortune smiled upon us as we were upgraded to a twin-bed stateroom offering more space than anticipated. The room was tastefully appointed, incorporating natural elements like wood panelling and leather accents on the door handles. A private balcony provided a serene outdoor space, and a comfortable seating area proved ideal for writing during the journey. The attentive staff provided a thorough tour of the stateroom, highlighting its amenities, including the heated bathroom floors and the minibar, which was replenished daily and included in the fare.
First Night’s Dinner: A Casual Start
For our inaugural dinner, we opted for the casual dining experience at the World Cafe. As previously mentioned, the variety of cuisines is impressive, ranging from Asian specialties and risottos to local dishes and Italian favourites. After enjoying a satisfying meal of risotto and salmon, accompanied by perfectly paired wines, and finishing with a cheese board, we returned to our stateroom to rest and prepare for our first shore excursion in Bergen the following day.
The author was a guest of Viking Cruises.
