TravelPulse Canada sailed on the Viking Fjorgyn November 13-20 from Paris to Normandy and back, with highlights including exquisite medieval villages, towering castles, soaring artworks and sombre monuments. Here are 10 things that Viking - and France - did very, very well.
The Crew: The Ship's Heartbeat
River ship crew members are at the core of the experience. Their friendly smiles, attentive service, and playful humour truly enhances the voyage. The ship was kept spotless inside and out, and the bartender knew everyone's favourite tipple - and cabin number - by Day 2.
Fellow Guests: Friends You've Not Yet Met
There were a dozen or so members of the media among the 130 passengers on the Viking Fjoygyn, but there were no group gatherings, meals or excursions. Viking wants journalists to experience the trip the same way as the paying passengers - and each to tell their own 'Viking Story.'
That free time gave us time to meet new friends, including many Americans and a pair of wonderful couples from Hamilton, Ontario. Everyone we breakfasted, lunched or shared dinner with was friendly, curious and engaged.
Viking Décor: Scandinavian Soothing
Stone, wood, fabric, leather, metal and glass. Warm, neutral colours. The décor on Viking's river longships is inviting and calming. Lounge, dining room and other public space seating is comfortable and well-built.
Our Stateroom: Comfort & Efficiency
Every inch counts on a river ship. Viking has made thoughtful and efficient use of its space to create cozy staterooms with very comfortable beds, plush bedding and more storage space than we required.
A few things stood out: the heated bathroom floor was most welcome; The pair of swinging shower doors were very efficient; the combination of 110 and 220 volt outlets meant we didn't have to use transformers; the lighting and climate controls were simple and effective.
The Food: Great Kudos To The Kitchen
The importance of cuisine quality to the vacation experience has soared over the three decades I've been writing about the travel industry. From Vegas to all-inclusive beach resorts, coach tours to cruises, cheap and cheerful standards just don't cut it anymore.
On Viking and other premium river cruise products, the daily world revolves around mealtimes. Breakfasts on the Fjorgyn featured an expansive buffet catering to North American and European tastes, including omelettes cooked to order, cold meats, smoked fish, cheese, pastries, fruit, cereals. A la carte choices included eggs benedict, French toast and pancakes.
Lunch was an a la carte three-course affair, with evergreen favourites and daily specials celebrating the flavours of the destinations. Daily soups were popular and delicious.
Dinner was extravagant in its choices, with a nightly presentation of regional dishes, chef recommendations, and always-available mains like steak and chicken. Over the course of a week we sampled extensively from the pantheon of French cuisine classics. The skill, presentation, flavours and variety were truly spectacular. Decent wines and beers were free-flowing at lunch and dinner.
Local Guides: Deep Knowledge & Strong Passion
Viking's local guides were uniformly excellent on our excursions, clearly enthralled with the subject matter and sharing their knowledge. At Juno Beach, the Canadian D-Day landing site, our guide not only brought history to life, he brought many to tears, with a solemn, beautiful ceremony of remembrance.
At a stop in La Roche-Guyon where we chose to wander on our own rather than with the walking tour group, a car pulled up and a man got out to welcome us to town and suggest things to see. Turns out he was a former Viking guide who spent 33 years introducing visitors to France. Spotting our distinctive red umbrellas, he briefly came out of retirement.
The French: Don't Believe Everything You Hear!
The old canard that the French hold visitors in contempt was nowhere on display. On the street, in shops, on tours, in cafes and bar, the French we met were unfailingly polite, helpful and accommodating to our weak attempts at their beautiful language.
Joie De Vivre: The French Art Of Living
Best translated as an "exuberant enjoyment of life," joie de vivre sums up the French approach to art, architecture, food, fashion, fitness and life in general. Beauty is everywhere, in the casual elegance of Parisian citizens, the meticulous and stunning storefronts, the art galleries, the cafes. The presentation of cheese, wine, pastry, produce and meat in local shops reflects pride and quality. Everything's not all rosy, of course -- we walked through a noisy anti-vaccine protest in the affluent suburb of Saint-Germaine-en-Laye -- but France is certainly home to a culture that celebrates life's finer things.
The Program Director: Setting The Tone
Cruise directors on ocean ships can have a big impact on the experience, and this is magnified in the smaller confines of a river ship. Our program director Mimi was passionate, knowledgeable, patient and funny, as she presented daily updates, led walking tours and gave lectures.
River Views: Bank On It
From the sundeck on top to the Aquavit Terrace on the bow to our own cozy balcony, there were several spots on the Viking Fjorgyn to watch the river go by. We enjoyed the birdlife, the plants and trees, the ancient villages and the snapshots of daily life.
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