Explore More - 2018

The lilting tones of

The lilting tones of classic Bob Marley tunes are echoing across the Antiguan bay, lobster is sizzling on the barbecue and champagne is being liberally poured. We have just boarded our catamaran after swimming in a sea so clear and warm it was like being in a bathtub, and now we are relaxing and chatting to other guests while the staff prepares our seafood lunch. Viking certainly does the Caribbean right. Our cruise began on the island of Puerto Rico, an easy connecting flight from New York. First impressions at night reveal a mini Las Vegas with many casinos and big hotels. But by day in San Juan, we discover a very different island with an irresistible Latin American vibe, prompting several impromptu renditions of “Tonight” and “America” from West Side Story. We joined the included walking tour for an exploration of the Old Town before deciding to wander the winding cobblestone back streets, admiring the pristine stuccoed buildings painted in a rainbow of pastel colors. We stop for mojitos at a grand hotel with a terrace shaded by giant palms, and it feels wonderful. While there are small concessions to our West Indies Explorer itinerary on Viking Sea, including a special island cocktail of the day and menu changes in The Restaurant, the ship still retains its Scandinavian-inspired ambience. And actually, I think this works, because it simply feels as though you are coming home after a day exploring, rather than a contrived Caribbean experience that could seem unnatural on such an elegant, understated ship. It also means that we can take full advantage of all the highlights of any Viking ocean cruise—dinner at the excellent alternative restaurants Manfredi’s and The Chef’s Table, the Rat Pack tribute show in the Torshavn ® cabaret lounge, the splendid pool deck and, of course, the sumptuous comfort of our veranda stateroom, as well as The Spa, which is one of the best at sea. As a big fan of the Caribbean islands and their diversity (it is a myth that they are all the Clockwise, from above: Colorful houses in San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Lucia’s Twin Pitons volcanic mountain range; mojito cocktails; Heliconia caribaea; bananas growing in the vegetation WE WANDER THE WINDING COBBLESTONE BACK STREETS, ADMIRING THE PRISTINE STUCCOED PASTEL BUILDINGS 74 EXPLORE MORE 2018

CARIBBEAN CRUISE EXPLORE MORE 2018 75