My daughter, Olivia, and I awoke to thunderous rain. Caught in a rain storm the evening before, we decided not to take our morning excursion to the San Juan forts that morning; we decided instead that we would have to come back again. We were not going to fight the storm.
Instead, we agreed to get to know the ship.
Our breakfast room service order had arrived, so we leisurely enjoyed our eggs and bacon before heading for Mamsen’s, a small Norwegian restaurant near the Explorer’s Lounge. We each had a Skolebrod (Norwegian Custard Bun) with coffee for Olivia and tea for me. We sat in the lounge looking out at the rain-soaked city and enjoyed the peacefulness of the ship.
Viking Sea is a small all-veranda ship with just 930 guests, which allows it to dock where larger vessels cannot. Its centerpiece is the atrium, with living room-style furnishings on three floors. On the first floor, service desks are where professional and friendly staff help passengers with questions or concerns. In the center of this first floor, musicians regularly play classical and modern music throughout the day.
Mid-morning, we ducked outside to see how hard the rain was coming down and decided to take a walk. Docked right in the heart of Old San Juan, we walked into the historic city.
Colorful buildings, a family of chickens, and the steel-blue adoquin stone streets met our journey. The stone used to ballast the Spanish galleons that brought settlers here now paves the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Back to the ship we went when the skies opened up again. We went to World Cafe for lunch, where guests could help themselves with various delicious foods.
After lunch, we continued exploring the main pool area, the infinity pool, and Viking Heritage Center.
Later in the afternoon, we went to the Afternoon Tea in Wintergarden. A classical string duo played as we enjoyed finger foods.
The port talk was next, introducing our next port, Tortola.
Precisely at 5:30, we left Puerto Rico and started our journey toward Tortola.
Olivia and I changed for dinner, but we attended the lecture “Explorers—The Age of Discovery” by Viking Resident Historian Geoff Peters before dinner.
Finally, we ended our day with dinner at The Restaurant. Two specialty restaurants, Manfredi’s (Italian) and The Chef’s Table, also welcome guests.
Viking Ocean Cruises does not accept children as passengers, and no casinos exist. But there is plenty of subdued beauty and peacefulness. Guests have plenty of time to get out and enjoy the islands on included and extra excursions to swim, kayak, snorkel, explore, and much more.
Go, relax, and have fun!
Click here for more information about the Viking Sea and West Indies Explorer cruise.
