Viking Sky

​VIKING  SKY   —.  October 24, 2021

       

       

    After being dropped off near our ship, we said goodbye to our tour guide and went inside the terminal. There was a check-in line but it moved quickly. After showing them all of our paperwork, we had our pictures taken and received emergency life saving instructions in the event we had to use the lifeboats. We received a tracking chip on a lanyard that we placed around our neck. We were required to wear this the whole time except in the water. Its purpose was to allow the authorities to know if we had contacted a fellow passenger who tested positive for COVID-19.  

   Taking the elevator, we found our rooms and went inside. The rooms were small but gorgeous. The balcony had two chairs for us to use. Because our luggage would be a while before it is brought to us, we decided to find something to eat. As it was early afternoon, we only needed a sandwich to tie us  over before dinner.  We sat down and looked over the menu at the pool lounge and ordered a burger.

  The Viking Sky is a typical looking cruise ship, yet smaller than some of those massive cruise ships. This one holds about 900 passengers. Luckily for us, there would be only about 600 passengers on this trip. It’s nice to not gave to fight big crowds. We still enjoyed all the amenities of a bigger ship, but without the crowds. There was seldom a time when we had to stand in line for anything. We figured out the best times for dinner so there was a little waiting for the semi formal table. The food was excellent. You could order whatever you wanted from the menu which ranged from New York steak to lobster.

   A huge buffet was set up on the seventh floor, to complete individual Buffets to be exact. I could not list all of the food items but you could find most anything you wanted. In the morning before 10 o’clock, breakfast buffet while set up. I especially enjoyed ordering a custom omelette every day.

   There were two swimming pools on board. Besides the one where we had lunch under a huge glass canopy, the other wise on the forward deck, seventh floor, at the very end of the boat. Both pool areas also had hot tubs. Over the week, I enjoyed both pools and hot tubs.

   This ship had no casino, but did have entertainment and rooms where one could relax with a good book interview. I also enjoyed a good massage on board. Throughout the boat there was free Wi-Fi for those of us with smart phones. Most ships charge extra for that. Viking does not.

   The Mediterranean is a beautiful ocean. On this trip, the weather was good so we had no rocking around.

   Our cruise itinerary was changed a couple of times from what we signed up for. One of our stops would have been turkey but because of Italy’s Covid restrictions all the passengers would have had to quarantine for 10 days before entering Italy. That was not going to work. So instead of Ephesus, our ship visited Santorini. We were happy to do that because none of us had ever seen Santorini. 

   Every morning we had to provide a saliva sample to the staff. We were tested for Covid every morning. Also, as we entered the dining area for breakfast, we were required to lean over and have a machine test our temperature.  Same with returning to the ship after an excursion. Never heard of anyone catching COVID but you never know. 

   Cruising is a great way to travel because everything is one price and you don’t need to carry around your suitcase. Just unpack and enjoy your room. 

Mike Thomas