THE VIKING SKY SHINES SINCE ITS DEBUT
With the advent of the new Viking Sky, Viking Ocean is on the cusp of becoming the leader in smaller size ocean cruising. Already Viking will surpass all other smaller-ship lines like Azamara and Crystal with only Oceania remaining with more capacity. With three more Viking Ocean vessels emerging in the next two years, Viking will emerge as the leader in this field.
In late winter, the 930-passenger Viking Sky made its maiden voyage in the western Mediterranean. The vessel is the third ocean ship for the twenty-year-old cruise line that until recently was best known for its innovative river Longships. With its all-veranda ships, Viking’s ocean line fleet has quickly risen to the top of the cruise world. In addition to the earlier-launched Star and Sea vessels, the fourth ocean ship, the Viking Sun, will launch by the end of this year and make the company’s first World Cruise.
Featuring destination focused itineraries, the Sky will spend more time in ports than other lines of its class, allowing more local culture immersion, while avoiding the time constriction attached to mass market cruising. With lengthy overnight stays and extended day visits that last well into the night, Viking Ocean offers a soothing calm across the ocean waters for its discerning followers.
Make your next move a smart one, find out now what the Viking Sky and all Viking Cruises has to offer, and what added benefits we can add to make your travel even more memorable! Yes Ted, Tell Me More About What Cruisin’ With Ted and Viking Has To Offer!
After a long day of trekking through ancient ruins and vast museums, what could be more welcome than lying on a plush day bed, or soaking in a small hot tub or a huge thalassotherapy pool?
At the LivNordic Spa’s thermal suite, you’d think that you’re in a luxury hotel. You’re not. You’re on the Viking Sky where the spa is as large and well-appointed as any big city luxury hotel’s. From the dedicated saunas and cold plunge pools in the men’s and women’s changing rooms to the main suite’s Nordic steam and ice rooms, the spa alone is worth booking a sail.
In late winter, the 930-passenger Viking Sky made its maiden voyage in the western Mediterranean. The vessel is the third ocean ship for the twenty-year-old cruise line that until recently was best known for its innovative river Longships. With its all-veranda ships, Viking’s ocean line fleet has quickly risen to the top of the cruise world. In addition to the earlier-launched Star and Sea vessels, the fourth ocean ship, the Viking Sun, will launch by the end of this year and make the company’s first World Cruise.
Featuring destination focused itineraries, the Sky will spend more time in ports than other lines of its class, allowing more local culture immersion, while avoiding the time constriction attached to mass market cruising. With lengthy overnight stays and extended day visits that last well into the night, Viking Ocean offers a soothing calm across the ocean waters for its discerning followers.
Find out more about the Viking Sky and what Cruisin’ With Ted has to offer. We can add up to $500 in non-cash amenities for new and existing bookings, provide free concierge services and up to One Million Dollar Travel Insurance with pre-existing conditions waiver included for a fraction of cruise line costs: Yes Ted, tell me more about the Viking Sky and your offers.
In late winter, the 930-passenger Viking Sky made its maiden voyage in the western Mediterranean. The vessel is the third ocean ship for the twenty-year-old cruise line that until recently was best known for its innovative river Longships. With its all-veranda ships, Viking’s ocean line fleet has quickly risen to the top of the cruise world. In addition to the earlier-launched Star and Sea vessels, the fourth ocean ship, the Viking Sun, will launch by the end of this year and make the company’s first World Cruise.
We travel to explore, to learn, to understand. Viking Cruises’ intimate, inclusive cruise itineraries are designed to help you explore the nuances of your destination: its food, culture, people and customs; their impeccable on-board pampering will satisfy even the most discerning traveler. Add to this CruisinWithTed’s, Ted Karbowski’s white glove travel service, from your initial cruise planning through your cruise travel, and you have an irresistible combination. Find out here the real story to what we can add to your new or existing travel booking.
With a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, the Viking ocean ships are far smaller than the ships you’ll see in dock beside them, and their size allows them to visit ports where others can’t go. As with its sister ships, the Sky has no casino, nor kids facilities. There is no charge for premium dining and beer and wine is complimentary with meals, while 24-hour room service is available as well. Other perks include free Wi-Fi and laundry rooms. The ships are admired for their light Scandinavian wood design elements, along with the usage of plenty of textiles. The fine standard details stretch right down to heated bathroom floors.
Each iteration of the Viking ships includes some tweaks; in the case of the Sky, the gym is twice as large as in other ships, while more deck lounge chairs have been added in outside spaces. In the rooms, there’s less clutter on desk trays, and for even more comfortable excursion experiences, guests enjoy an even better new generation of Quietvox audio phones.
The Viking Sky also continues the cruise line’s commitment to improving already excellent culinary options. The popular Manfredi’s Italian restaurant is creating dishes whose cuisine will match destinations, while 66 entirely new menus will be created for the upcoming world cruise.
Anthony’s French Bistro sounds like a fine place for a meal. In this case, it’s the name for one of French chef Anthony Mauboussin’s new five-course wine pairing creations for the ship’s Chef’s Table. In charge of the culinary development for the entire cruise line, Chef Mauboussin was inspired by the grand cuisine of Lyon for this latest of several rotating menus at the Chef’s Table, which includes traditional soup aux truffes and sole quenelle served in a lobster bisque.
In the Explorers’ Lounge, the Paps café bar was named in honor of Viking owner Torstein Hagen’s father, and its waffles and pickled herring reflect the family’s Nordic roots.
On the Sky’s maiden voyage, guests were welcomed to pop into the extremely comfortable Theater for talks by British lecturer Kate Garnon Williams on the ancient world, including her “Island Hopping with Odysseus” theme. British ornithologist Peter Mawby’s talks covered subjects such as “Mediterranean Wetlands at Risk.”
Below are some highlights of the Viking Sky’s maiden cruise from Rome’s Civitavecchia port to Barcelona, which can be duplicated in future sailings:
-It’s a stunning sight when the Viking Sky cruises into the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius looms above. Sure Pompeii is the star attraction in Naples, but how about visiting ancient Herculaneum, which many consider a more interesting site.
-From Sicily’s small port of Trapani—well worth an evening stroll in itself—passengers can opt to visit Palermo, which by all measures is finally getting its due for the wonderful architectural treasures it has. And what a discovery the village of Monreale is, whose Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-Viking is one of the first cruise lines to return to Tunisia after the 2015 terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum. Back in operation, the museum is filled with brilliant Roman mosaics, such as a famous one depicting Neptune. The medina’s fabulous souks include a popular gold market and fine ceramics shops. Carthage and the blue-toned village of Sidi Bou Said appear on one of the excursion as well.
After a long day of trekking through ancient ruins and vast museums, what could be more welcome than lying on a plush day bed, or soaking in a small hot tub or a huge thalassotherapy pool.
At the LivNordic Spa’s thermal suite, you’d think that you’re in a luxury hotel. You’re not. You’re on the Viking Sky where the spa is as large and well-appointed as any big city luxury hotel’s. From the dedicated saunas and cold plunge pools in the men’s and women’s changing rooms to the main suite’s Nordic steam and ice rooms, the spa alone is worth booking a sail.
In late winter, the 930-passenger Viking Sky made its maiden voyage in the western Mediterranean. The vessel is the third ocean ship for the twenty-year-old cruise line that until recently was best known for its innovative river Longships. With its all-veranda ships, Viking’s ocean line fleet has quickly risen to the top of the cruise world. In addition to the earlier-launched Star and Sea vessels, the fourth ocean ship, the Viking Sun, will launch by the end of this year and make the company’s first World Cruise.
Viking Air Plus is their exclusive custom air department, for guests who have specific travel needs or special requests. Depending upon your travel schedules, requests and flexibility, their team of experienced Viking Air Plus agents can offer assistance. Unfortunately there are many rules and regulations regarding this type of air, which if not understood and followed, can cause serious problems later regardless of the provided services. Read my blog here on custom air services.
With a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, the Viking ocean ships are far smaller than the ships you’ll see in dock beside them, and their size allows them to visit ports where others can’t go. As with its sister ships, the Sky has no casino, nor kids facilities. There is no charge for premium dining and beer and wine is complimentary with meals, while 24-hour room service is available as well. Other perks include free Wi-Fi and laundry rooms.
Each iteration of the Viking ships includes some tweaks; in the case of the Sky, the gym is twice as large as in other ships, while more deck lounge chairs have been added in outside spaces. In the rooms, there’s less clutter on desk trays, and for even more comfortable excursion experiences, guests enjoy an even better new generation of Quietvox audio phones.
The Viking Sky also continues the cruise line’s commitment to improving already excellent culinary options. The popular Manfredi’s Italian restaurant is creating dishes whose cuisine will match destinations, while 66 entirely new menus will be created for the upcoming world cruise.
Anthony’s French Bistro sounds like a fine place for a meal. In this case, it’s the name for one of French chef Anthony Mauboussin’s new five-course wine pairing creations for the ship’s Chef’s Table. In charge of the culinary development for the entire cruise line, Chef Mauboussin was inspired by the grand cuisine of Lyon for this latest of several rotating menus at the Chef’s Table, which includes traditional soup aux truffes and sole quenelle served in a lobster bisque.
In the Explorers’ Lounge, the Paps café bar was named in honor of Viking owner Torstein Hagen’s father, and its waffles and pickled herring reflect the family’s Nordic roots.
Just launched, the Viking Resident Historians program treats guests to cultural lectures specific to their destinations. Here’s a video on the program:
On the Sky’s maiden voyage, guests were welcomed to pop into the extremely comfortable Theater for talks by British lecturer Kate Garnon Williams on the ancient world, including her “Island Hopping with Odysseus” theme. British ornithologist Peter Mawby’s talks covered subjects such as “Mediterranean Wetlands at Risk.”
Below are some highlights of the Viking Sky’s maiden cruise from Rome’s Civitavecchia port to Barcelona, which can be duplicated in future sailings:
-It’s a stunning sight when the Viking Sky cruises into the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius looms above. Sure Pompeii is the star attraction in Naples, but how about visiting ancient Herculaneum, which many consider a more interesting site.
-From Sicily’s small port of Trapani—well worth an evening stroll in itself—passengers can opt to visit Palermo, which by all measures is finally getting its due for the wonderful architectural treasures it has. And what a discovery the village of Monreale is, whose Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-Viking is one of the first cruise lines to return to Tunisia after the 2015 terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum. Back in operation, the museum is filled with brilliant Roman mosaics, such as a famous one depicting Neptune. The medina’s fabulous souks include a popular gold market and fine ceramics shops. Carthage and the blue-toned village of Sidi Bou Said appear on one of the excursion as well.
-In Sardinia’s original Phoenician city of Cagliari guests can opt for the Viking special Kitchen Table experience in which the ship’s chefs take you shopping at the San Benedetto market for pecorino sardo and caprino vaccino cheeses, as well as some of the 400 kinds of bread on the island. In the evening, a group of up to eight guests enjoy those very purchases, dining on everything from shrimp and artichoke carpaccio with fois gras to grilled lamb chops on spinach with arugula and zest of orange olive oil.
-Mallorca’s capital Palma is a small Mediterranean gem of a town. But just a thirty minute drive north up to the gorgeous stone mountain village of Valldemossa, guests are treated to a piano recital in the old Carthusian monastery where Chopin and George Sand once wintered.
-Apart from knowing perhaps that paella comes from Valencia, how many passengers likely know how striking its city center is? Last year, the stunning new Silk Museum opened. Nearby, the Gothic Silk Exchange building with it’s stunning 56-foot-high columns and vaulted ceiling, make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Viking Sky was christened on June 22 2017 in Tromsø, Norway from where it will then sailed into Scandinavian and Baltic waters. In the fall, the ship will cross the Atlantic and sail the Caribbean and in the Americas until year’s end.
Viking will soon count as the largest of the world’s small ship ocean lines once the Viking Spirit is delivered next year, followed by a fifth vessel the year after, and several more to come in subsequent years.
Get the Most Vacation Protection for Your Dollar!
The last thing most of us think about when we plan a cruise is the list of elements that can go wrong before and during our vacation. While it’s important to research the best attractions, museums, lunch spots and shops to visit during your days in port, it’s equally important to spend a few minutes thinking about protecting the investment you’ve made. It important to understand how travel insurance works, this is covered in detail in my blog on travel insurance.
Fortunately we are able to offer a stellar value on vacation protection insurance in AIG Travel Guard with up to One Million Dollars in coverage for a small fraction of the costs of comparable, cruise line, TripMate coverage. This also includes a pre-existing waiver advantage with instant coverage upon sign-up. We are able to email you a quote with a full breakdown of the coverage within minutes with the convenience of at home payment and confirmation of coverage.
You should have a half a million to a million dollars in coverage. As cruise line insurance usually covers only $20,000 to $50,000, be prepared for astronomic out-of-pocket expenses when making a claim! Fortunately professional Travel Advisers like myself provide coverage for up to A MILLION DOLLARS .
Testimonials:
We had a wonderful experience today and want to share. We have been in Ted’s Facebook Group, Friends Who Like Viking Cruises, for a while and enjoy most of the posts. We have done 3 Viking River cruises and 2 Viking Ocean, all booked directly with Viking. However, during our last 3 cruises we heard others comment about their great on-board credits and how they got this or that extra from their travel agent. Viking never gave anything extra on those trips. So…we decided to call Ted Karbowski to see what he could offer us. I can honestly tell you if you are on the fence about using a Travel Agent, give him a call at 954-290-8626. We are booked for our 6th Viking trip! He was on phone with us with Viking Air and we got our first choice of flights! Absolutely great service answering questions with prompt responses. So happy with his service we have referred some others to him! AR
5 star service! Ted really cares about his clients. I just keep telling my friends about him! I know of two other families that booked after me and we all say the same thing. We felt like family. He took care of everything and he checked back to make sure everything was as expected. Will book with Ted again! AP
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