Sue O'Donovan

Mimosa Cruise & Travel - Aspley, QLD

Viking Orion

We travelled in October 22 from Cairns to Singapore. The ship was a reposition cruise that was to cruise from Vancouver to Japan 🇯🇵 via Russia. But due to a number of issues it was sent via Hawaii to Cairns. Here we picked up our cruise, which was half empty. This made the trip very special as we had all the ship facilities all to ourselves. No need to book into the upmarket restaurants.

The ship was in immaculate condition, fresh paint and lacquer on all the rails and steps. Inside the decor is very Norwegian with soft light tones and light colours and wood panels, as well as works from around the world, including Norwegian artists. There are headphones in your cabin which you can walk around the ship and get information on each piece of artwork.

While using the public bathroom, you feel like you’re in a Norwegian forest 🌳 listening to the sounds of birds, frogs. Strange at first but easy to get used to. Viking ships are all about design and they have been designed extremely well.

Cabins or Staterooms are also very well designed. The bathroom is well appointed and plenty of cupboards space.

Power points are European and USA, with 2 USB ports on each bedside table. There is a desk which lifts up to become a make-up station. Bed 🛌 is very comfortable also. The balcony is also well appointed. But the outside temperature was very hot 🥵 and we didn’t spend a lot of time out there, but great in the morning and afternoon.

This ship has a Dome on deck 8. They have a resident Astronomer on board and ours was Professor Chris.

This was very interesting and this gives you a different perspective of the stars with the help of computer aided imagery.

We went here 3 times for different lectures. Also star ⭐️ gazing some nights. We had many of questions for Professor Chis.

The Explorers Bar and Dome.

This is a wonderful place to sit look out at the ocean. Listen to soft music 🎶 to just relax and read a book 📖. There is a library 📚 on board and books on shelves everywhere, even on pool deck. There are also a number of photos of the moon landing.

Explorations in Space. With your head phones in your cabin, you can walk around the ship and put in the number next to all the photos and works of art.

Melbourne Cup Day was on when we were on board and the ships entertainment did not have anything organised.  I and other guest all approached guest services to request if we could view the Melbourne Cup on the big screen in the theatre. We were very lucky and a function was organised with sparkling wine and canapé. Half the ship was there and such a lovely time. The big screen was very good and everyone had a fantastic experience. We were not allowed to gamble! But there were a few sweeps going on in other places. 👍

Food and Restaurant.

World 🌎 Cafe. Breakfast, lunch and Dinner. One of the best food courts on a cruise ship I have been on.

In the afternoon I would get a selection of cheese and snacks while enjoying my dinner time drinks on the back deck. Then went to the Dining Room for dinner.

The Dining Room.

We ate there most nights. Food was fantastic and always had room for dessert.

Mamsen’s.

Casual dining for breakfast, lunch and lovey cakes during the day. Great tea and coffee. Located in Explorer lounge.

Chef’s Table.

Menu changes every 3 day. Only went there once as a lot of seafood and my husband doesn’t enjoy eatting. But waiter changed seafood to chicken. This is booked online before you depart on your Viking booking, but are able to book on board if available.

Manfredi’s.

Italian steakhouse. Great meal and enjoyed it very much. This is booked online before you depart on your Viking booking, but can also book on board if available.

Beer & Wine.

Is free with lunch and dinner. If you get to the World café when it opens for dinner your dinks are free. There were different Wines every night at both World Café and Dining room.

We did not have to pay often and would have a drink at night after dinner in the Explores lounge. Prices for drinks were very reasonable.

This has been a very relaxing 😌 time for the both of us. Just reading 📖 and watching the ocean go by.

I would highly recommend Viking Cruises and can’t wait for our Antarctic Cruise in a few months.

Viking is all about emerging yourself in Culture, Art and Music. They have lectures from around the world taking about History, Astronomy 🪐 and space and even a zoologist, with geology, palaeontology and Atomic Energy which is all part of our ever changing world we live in.

Each morning on the bow of the ship looking for whales, dolphins and birds. We did see many of flying fish. The Zoologist has his camera with a very large lens telling us what we have just seen and explaining about the various species.

My thing is you learn something new each day and a Viking cruise is where this will definitely happen.

Cultural enrichment!

Pease and tranquillity, soft music as you gently rock with movement of the swell. Totally relaxed.

Entertainment.

Brilliant entertainers. Young classically trained musicians. Unbelievable voices who can sing many different genres.

Crew were all amazing and could not fault anyone or anything. I would highly recommend Viking Cruises and can’t wait till our next cruise with them to Antarctica in February 2023.

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