The past few days at sea have been surprisingly serene, allowing us to unwind and soak in the tranquil atmosphere. We've taken advantage of the time by attending several enlightening lectures and enjoying quiet moments before dinner, listening to the talented musicians performing in the atrium. The culinary experiences have been nothing short of fantastic, making our meals a highlight of each day.
However, we have not been without our challenges. Over the last few days, we've all battled mild cold symptoms, primarily congestion and drainage, along with the occasional cough. Thankfully, it seems like we are finally emerging from these ailments.
My daily routine begins early, typically between 5:00 and 5:30 AM. I make my way up one floor to the World Café for my first cup of coffee, which I then take up another level to the sundeck. Although there’s no sun at that hour, I relish the opportunity for a one to two-mile walk while watching the sunrise. This early morning stroll on top of the ship is a peaceful experience; usually, it's just me and a few crew members preparing the lounges and tables for the day ahead. If I am feeling really spry, I may go to the gym before breakfast for more aerobic on the stationary bikes and a little light weight resistance. Sometime I put this off until afternoon (and sometime I put it off completely!)
Monday morning, Kay embarked on her laundry mission, reminiscing about the complimentary laundry services from our previous Holland America Grand Voyages. Unlike our past cruises, Viking's laundry policy is more selective, offering free laundry services only for the highest-level suites. However, Viking does provide a convenient solution by offering laundry facilities on multiple decks.
We are fortunate that the laundry room is conveniently located directly across from our cabin. Initially we worried about potential noise. We were pleasantly surprised to find the cabin's sound insulation exceptional. The walls effectively blocked any hallway or neighboring cabin sounds, ensuring a peaceful environment.
The laundry facilities were not only conveniently located but also completely free of charge. A particularly nice touch was the automatic detergent dispensing system - simply press a button, and the precise amount of detergent is released directly into the washer.
Our accumulated laundry from over a week was easily accommodated in two washers, and the entire process of washing and drying was completed in approximately two hours.
Backing up to Sunday evening, I had mentioned an ABBA performance by the Viking Vocalists. It was an excellent presentation.
We had made reservations for the alternative dining restaurants prior to sailing. We were allowed to make two reservation per restaurant for each segment. Our first reservation was for Manfredi's, an Italian specialty restaurant.
The appetizer some of us had was exceptional.
"Fritto Misto Amalfitano"
- crispy shrimp, calamari coated in flour & semolina, lemon zest and garlic aioli
Service was excellent and we received a surprise. After we had all ordered desserts, Our hostess and servers appeared at our table with an entire Strawberry Tiramisu, and flutes of champagne. They offered congratulations to Carl and Janet on their anniversary, along with a card! The surprise is their anniversary isn't until May 5.
Well, we enjoyed two desserts and the champagne and the table was quite a disaster when we finished. The staff saved the remaining Tiramisu to be delivered to their cabin or to dinner tonight. We could not figure out how the mix-up occurred. Perhaps someone with an anniversary didn't get their dessert!
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