Day 13--Viking Cruise Line--How do I love thee?

 "These are a few of my favorite things..." ~ The Sound of Music

I've cruised on a number of lines--Costa, Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Cunard, Norwegian, and even on a couple of now defunct cruise lines, the Dolphin and American Hawaiian. All told, it's well over 250 days afloat, but I can tell you after only 13 days on board the Star, that Viking stands head and shoulders above the rest. Here are a few of the things I already love about Viking:

•  Real Musicians--There's a violin & cello duo, a pianist, a classical guitarist, the four piece Viking band, a mixed quartet called the Viking Singers, and our Cruise Director, Aaron, and his two assistants are all gifted vocalists. No one sings to canned accompaniment. (To my mind, that's just a dressed up version of karaoke.) 
• A Subdued Soundtrack in Common Areas--When we were on the Norwegian Encore last September, their buffet played an especially offensive loop of songs in which the female vocalist made noises like a cat being eviscerated. And it was LOUD! The music played in the restaurants on Viking are subtle, and unobtrusive enough to have conversation at a normal decibel level.
• Exceptional food--
  
  
  Viking even knows how to elevate a lowly burger. Their Viking burger served at the Pool Grill is garnished with bacon, cheese, onion marmalade, and BBQ sauce. Last night, we dined at the Restaurant, which is not a specialty venue, and I had lobster tail. On most cruise lines, you might get lobster once in a while on a formal night. There are no formal nights on Viking. I had lobster simply because it was Thursday.   
• All Inclusive--We're not big drinkers, so Viking is making a little money on us in that department, but if the DH wants a glass of wine with supper, he has one without additional charge. We are offered an included excursion in each port we visit. The lovely thermal suite is ours for the using without additional fee. 
• Mental Stimulation--Whether it's a talk on an historic piece of art, or the wildlife we might see from our veranda, the enrichment lectures have been excellent. My mom always says she'd never seen a child so hungry to learn as I was. I'm still that way. My cup can always stand filling in that department.  

Now I can hear some of you saying, "Isn't Viking more expensive than those other cruise lines?" Yes, if you only compare basic cruise fares. But when you add in all the extras for specialty dining, excursions, first class airfare, the thermal suite (which ran about $179 a piece on a week long cruise last time we had access to one.), drinks, art class supplies (all included on Viking), I really think actual costs are a pretty close horserace. 

Anyway, we're heading off to the thermal suite again. This sort of pampering is the ultimate luxury to my mind. Wherever you are, please be good to yourself and insert a little "you" time into your day!