Viking To Bring Distinctly Different Caribbean Cruise

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

Not even in the water a year yet and new Viking Cruises is getting restless.   Rightfully so, the ancient Vikings did not waste much time exploring the world.  Looking across the pond, Viking Cruises announced new Caribbean and Eastern Seaboard itineraries for 2016 and 2017 ranging from 11- to 15 days.  That move brings the unique cruise experience we enjoyed not long ago on Viking Star to the Caribbean. Along with it: a distinctly different Caribbean cruise.

We were impressed with Viking’s ability to orchestrate an included tour every day for every guest on Viking Star.   But what about the Caribbean?  Is there anything on that familiar turf that the average North American cruise fan has not seen.  Probably not.  Lucky for them, the unique cruise experience we enjoyed on Viking Star looks to be a perfect fit for the laid back Caribbean.   First, let’s look at those itineraries.

caribbean cruise

Caribbean And Eastern Seaboard Itineraries

Guests can choose from five new itineraries in Viking’s Caribbean And North America collection:

  • West Indies Explorer, roundtrip from San Juan, visiting St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Barbados and more for 11 days.
  • West Indies To Iberia
  • Eastern Seaboard Explorer brings autumn’s vibrant hues and visits Montreal, Quebec, Halifax, Boston and New York.
  • Eastern Seaboard To The West Indies
  • In The Wake Of The Vikings traces Leif Eriksson’s 1000 AD voyage, with calls at Scotland’s Shetland Islands, Iceland and Newfoundland, plus cosmopolitan Montreal. And, we have two other exciting itineraries traveling New York to San Juan, and San Juan to Barcelona (see website for details).

Let’s see the details along with Viking video and description of these unique sailings:

The Beautiful Caribbean - 17

EASTERN SEABOARD EXPLORER

MONTREAL TO NEW YORK CITY

Witness Canada and New England come alive with fall’s vibrant hues. From Montreal, cruise the St. Lawrence River to French-flavored Quebec City and colonial-era Saguenay. Celebrate Scottish heritage on Prince Edward Island and enjoy coastal splendor in Halifax. Delve into Boston’s rich history during an overnight stay and continue to New York City, where you’ll experience the highlights of Manhattan and stay overnight before disembarking. Be sure to check out the available dates and prices for this cruise.

FROM $4,999 | 13 DAYS | 7 GUIDED TOURS | 2 COUNTRIES

 

The Beautiful Caribbean - 20

EASTERN SEABOARD TO THE WEST INDIES

NEW YORK CITY TO SAN JUAN

Sail from New York down the Atlantic seaboard to San Juan, calling on cultural capitals and emerald Caribbean Islands. You’ll delve into the historic riches of Baltimore and grand mansions of Newport. Immerse yourself in colonial Jamestown from our port in Norfolk and enjoy an overnight stay amid the coastal beauty of Port Everglades. Then explore the lush and lively Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos, Antigua and St. Thomas. Be sure to check out the available dates and prices for this cruise.

FROM $4,999 | 15 DAYS | 9 GUIDED TOURS | 4 COUNTRIES

 

The Beautiful Caribbean - 21

WEST INDIES EXPLORER

SAN JUAN TO SAN JUAN

Experience the colorful Caribbean, a dazzling blend of turquoise waters, emerald isles and European legacies. After time to explore the colonial treasures of San Juan, immerse yourself in the British, French and Dutch cultures of the Lesser Antilles. Cruise spectacular azure waters from Tortola and St. Lucia to Guadeloupe, St. Martin and St. Thomas. All while savoring unspoiled island vistas and Viking’s destination-focused cruising.

FROM $2,999 | 11 DAYS | 9 GUIDED TOURS | 9 COUNTRIES

 

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IN THE WAKE OF VIKINGS

BERGEN TO MONTREAL

Trace the route of Viking Leif Eriksson, who discovered American shores 500 years before Columbus. From the Norwegian mercantile city of Bergen, set off to the rustic Shetland Islands in Scotland. Cruise to the magnificently picturesque Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland; then, view ancient Norse settlements at L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland. Explore the rich cultures of Saguenay and Quebec City before concluding in cosmopolitan Montreal. Be sure to check out the available dates and prices for this cruise.

FROM $5,599 | 15 DAYS | 10 GUIDED TOURS | 6 COUNTRIES

 

The Beautiful Caribbean - 30

WEST INDIES TO IBERIA

SAN JUAN TO BARCELONA

Cross oceans and bridge cultures on an enriching trans-Atlantic voyage. Embark in colonial San Juan and call on the Dutch side of St. Martin, ringed by white-sand beaches. Then, head into the Atlantic for a six-day crossing, savoring your elegant ship’s cultural offerings. The Portuguese island of Madeira welcomes you on the other side, followed by explorations of French-inflected Casablanca, and the Spanish cities of Cádiz and Valencia. You’ll disembark in lively Barcelona. Be sure to check out the available dates and prices for this cruise.

FROM $2,999 | 15 DAYS | 7 GUIDED TOURS | 6 COUNTRIES

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The Unique Viking Caribbean Cruise Experience

On Viking Star, we experienced a new, small ship that turned out to be a great value.  The Viking version of a Caribbean cruise will have a higher price point than most ships sailing in the Caribbean, but there is a reason for that.  Look what we get:

  • All-veranda staterooms, each with outdoor seating so you can see more during your journey. There are no bad views in this house.
  • Great accommodations with a modern, Scandinavian-style design that is open and airy, with thoughtful practicality and understated elegance
  • Staterooms of equal or greater square footage than comparable competitors’ staterooms
  • King-size beds that really are.
  • Extra spacious showers, like triple a big ship shower size
  • Great dining experiences with 11 dining venues.  All we tried were enjoyable, did not take forever and made you want to come back again.
  • Specialty restaurants without any extra charge but you’d gladly pay one; they’re just that good.
  • More alfresco dining than any other ocean cruise vessel.  Main dining room windows open when the weather is nice.
  • All onboard meals custom-created with fresh local ingredients and choices of regional specialties as well as always available American classics

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Also impressive and a good fit for the Caribbean; Viking service, enrichment, destinations and value.  We covered all of those topics and a few more in a recent TravelPulse article as well as our website and other interesting sources:

At ChrisCruises.com-

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