Viking Skirnir

Viking gets points for exceptionally clean and open cabins with a great amount of storage space and plenty of outlets and lighting sources. Luggage can be safely tucked underneath the bed, and the closets are quite spacious. Bathrooms feature ample counter space and decent-sized showers (though taller folks might have an issue with the amount of headroom available). Mirrors in both the bathroom and main cabin space are large. Fresh fruit is restocked in the cabin daily, and while not always ripe, it’s at least plentiful. Water is complimentary (included in your rate) and restocked in the rooms daily as well.

A thoughtful touch while filling out the pre-cruise questionnaire? The ability to choose the kind of bedding you prefer (allergy-conscious, down feather, etc.) However, linens like robes, bedding, and towels seem to be of low quality and towels are on the small size.

Solo travelers will be happy to know that the Skirnir offers single-occupancy cabins.  For value and space, the veranda staterooms are the perfect size for couples or two guests, and the balcony is impressive. Onboard are 25 standard staterooms, 22 French balcony staterooms, 39 veranda staterooms, 7 veranda suites, and two explorer suites.

The ship is easy to navigate, with multiple paths of travel, stairwells, and an elevator. Furniture is sleek, narrow, and appropriately placed. The usual chaos of a large group returning to the ship from an excursion is handled well due to the multiple ways to return to your cabin or elsewhere on board, and, overall, the design of the ship is thoughtful.

The vast majority of excursions are walking tours, not too lengthy or arduous, with frequent stops throughout. Ramps and gateways are safe and sturdy. Furniture is comfortable and abundant, and it’s never a problem finding a place to sit or relax in the common areas. While there is an elevator on board, it’s only accessible from the Middle and Upper Decks. If staying on the Main Deck (the lowermost level), passengers will have to make their way up a short set of steps to access the elevator.

A commendable, though somewhat dated, effort, overall. Think parsley garnishes, piped-on-plate mashed potatoes, and carved tomatoes. Variety helps, particularly at dinner, where there are always two menu options: One classic and representative of the region, and one with your more garden-variety “fancy” dinner options: think roast chicken, steaks, creamy salmon pasta, etc. Each includes three courses. Dinner can feel rushed, though; servers are generally attentive and kind, but the frequent clanging of dishes, dropping of utensils, and overall hustle and bustle during our sailing detracted from the dining experience.

Breakfast can be enjoyed in two areas–on the upper deck, a simple continental style reminiscent of a standard hotel breakfast, and in the main dining room, a larger variety with hot menu items, eggs prepared to order, decent griddle options like pancakes and French toast, and an expanse of pastry and dairy options. Lunch is on the lackluster side, with the smallest menu and uninspired flavors. Seasoning proved an issue on our cruise.

Viking’s signature theme night is a highlight of the sailing, with sprawling German decor, Deutschland delights and delicacies, plus local beer and Schnapps. Festive, flavorful, and fun, you may find it to be the best meal on board your journey.

The biggest disappointment is that no food is available outside of the scheduled meal times, so it’s possible to “miss the boat,” so to speak. The only thing available? Two coffee machines, hot water for tea, and a rotating assortment of straight-from-the-school-board-meeting cookies, none of which feel  substantial enough for between-meal options.

An easy enough solve is to load up on the many available grab-and-go type items from the breakfast buffet in the morning, e.g. fresh fruit, cereal, granola, and yogurt for snacking in between scheduled meal times.

Breakfast on board is served from 7:30 – 9 a.m.; Lunch from 12 -1 p.m., and Dinner from 7 -9 p.m.

The bar and bar service are wonderful. Included in your sailing are complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks. But an upgrade to the Silver Spirits Beverage Package allows guests access to top-shelf liquor and spirits. This additional cost is only $27/day, which is a great value generally, but especially considering options like The Macallan 18 Year, mezcal, and a top-shelf vodka and gin.

A missed opportunity for Viking is the lack of thoughtful pairing suggestions, e.g., a wine and cheese night, a seemingly obvious activity for a European river cruise, or a highlight on local Schnapps, which could’ve added some enrichment to the bar experience.

The bar snacks (pretzels, wasabi peas, and cheesy snack mix) could’ve stood to be a bit fresher, but at least they were there. While this specific sailing didn’t have the liveliest crowd, the bar staff remained attentive, remembered drink orders, and stocked a variety of no ABV cocktails.

Again, while this particular sailing featured a more demure crowd, Viking could stand to highlight both the value and glitz of its bar program, as it is a highlight worth spending time and money on, and an opportunity for more fun and engagement on board.

Nobody is saying Viking needs to hand out leis and encourage conga lines on the Lido deck, but it wouldn’t hurt to make the entertainment options a bit more, shall we say, lively? For starters, there are a handful of game nights on board, none lasting more than an hour. No movie nights, and no gaming area, just a couple of sad hand-me-down boxes of Battleship and chess available to guests eager for amusement and distraction.

The piano player, who played daily, seemed unfriendly and unenthusiastic about performing. The infotainment and film streaming options are rather limited (all had a historical bent–Downton Abbey, The Monuments Men, etc.). Maybe you’re thinking: “You’re not on a cruise to stay in your room and watch TV!” But with few options outside your stateroom, there could’ve been more. News channels are available for streaming, but surprising is the lack of newspapers or magazines available, even for purchase. The ship also has a small but mighty library where guests can borrow books.

No spa on board. A walking path and shuffleboard are available on the top deck, but the deck may be closed either because of maintenance or due to the ship passing through a lock.