We had a rocky beginning to this vacation, starting with an unreasonable transfer delay from the airport to the ship after a long day of travel. Upon arrival, we dropped bags in our stateroom and proceeded to guests services to book 3 excursions we were unable to confirm prior to departure, only to be told they were sold out. Options were limited or undesirable and I had to scramble to make arrangements for sightseeing in Barcelona the next day. Fortunately I had a backup for Marseille, but we ended up just getting a transfer to Rome and explored on our own with a few hours in the Vatican museums. I consider the excursion booking hierarchy to be Viking's biggest flaw and in the future will book excursions through outside tour companies without hesitation. I also find the food on Viking cruises to be mainly just ok with a few shining stars and some real duds. We especially loved the breakfasts everywhere, salads and sushi from the World Cafe and most seafood, Manfredi's, the classic, standard fare from the Restaurant, and even burgers from the Pool Grill. The Chef's Table was hit or miss, but we loved the wine pairings. Many desserts in all venues were legitimately dreadful. It seemed as if chef interpretations were either way off or training and cultural issues translated to a lack of understanding of how things should be prepared and taste. Mamsen's waffles were a big disappointment, undercooked and doughy, and ethnic dishes at the Chef's Table were underwhelming. But there was plenty to enjoy and we never went hungry. We rate the food average, overall.
Ultimately, we remain loyal to Viking because of destinations offered, the impeccable service from crew and staff, especially housekeeping and servers. It is unmatched in the industry. Staterooms are lovely and enrichment programs are plentiful and enjoyable. Tour guides on excursions are knowledgeable and engaging and the excursions are always exceptional. Afternoon tea in the Wintergarden is a great way to wind down after a day of exploring, and the spa offers wonderful treatments and messages with a huge jetted tub, wet and dry sauna and snow room. We especially loved spending time in the Explorer's Lounge before or after dinner, enjoying cocktails with light music. Always a great way to start or end the evening. We appreciated the opportunity to book a future cruise on board with discounts and look forward to our Passage to Eastern Europe river cruise next year, and annual cruises beyond.