Viking cribs and shopping with the chef

After a busy first day and evening with all that drinking wine and partying Viking Forseti Part 1 it was time to relax and visit the beautiful city of Bordeaux.

Having had a very lazy morning, it was time to have a nose around the ship to see what the different cabins was like on the Forseti, as a river ship, the ship itself is completely different to an ocean liner. With only 3 levels of cabins and maximum capacity of 190 guests, it really is an intimate way of cruising. With a spacious main dining room,smaller terrace restaurant and large lounge area there really is not much else on board, although you will find plenty of seated areas around the reception and library and then of course the large open deck on top of the ship. The Viking Forseti is like the other Long Ships built at the same time in 2013 and they are all identical with regards to their interior and design. There is no spa or pool facilities and the only activities on the upper open deck is shuffle board and a supposed small pitch and put. Shuffleboard was fun until it started to rain, but remember it is December.

The dining areas and bar for the Forseti.

The open deck area where you can relax or play. Maybe better in the summer months!

The public areas and a warm treat on our return from a trip of steaming hot chocolate with a touch of rum!

The cabins themselves are not huge by any standard, but are well designed and offer ample space for clothes with lots of drawers and wardrobe space. The bathroom, although compact was fabulous. The shower was large enough and with full glass doors too. All in all for this type of cruise you will never get large spacious accommodation unless you pay a bit more for the suite type accommodations. Click this link to see my fabulous video on Verandah Suite – MTV Cribs Style .

The leading Balcony cabin and outside cabin, both cosy for 2 guests but well equipped. No 3rd guests allowed in these cabins.

This afternoon we took to the Christmas market of Bordeaux, drank hot chocolate and ate roasted chestnuts.. such a cliche. But great fun and then for an hour or two we actually got to sail along the river during the Captain’s cocktail.. unfortunately just as far as the water levels would allow us.

The following day we headed off out with the chef to the local market to experience local produce that he buys for the ship on a daily basis. It was a fantastic experience and a great honour to be allowed to do this. Chef Pasqual told us what he likes to buy and how he likes to cook it, using where possible, local produce from the region of Bordeaux and beyond.

We also got the chance to try some of the offerings and then had our final dinner with a smile on our face knowing where all the food had been purchased from the meat to the bread and cheese. If ever you get the opportunity to experience this kind of excursion, I highly recommend you do so. I am sure it cannot be easy catering for 190 persons 3 times a day, but they do and the results are fabulous.

At the market with the on board executive chef.

Our last evening and again the food and company did not disappoint.

Thank you to Viking River Cruises for the fantastic experience and the company on board.

Watch out for my blog with details on the fantastic new Viking Star due to set sail in 2015.

Dawn

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