Exploring the Amazing Amazon

Viking Sea Cruise Review to South America

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

5 out of 5
Verified Review
Viking Sea

12 Night Amazon & Caribbean Adventure (San Juan To Manaus)

Sail date: January 19, 2024

Ship: Viking Sea

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 4024

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 months ago

Review summary

A wonderful trip exploring an amazing river. Great ship and crew, with outstanding food and service.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Arrived at the pier at 11:00 AM and we were on the ship in less than 15 minutes. Our luggage was in our stateroom when we first entered it at 1 pm.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
Food on a ship is very important to us. The food was of consistently outstanding quality throughout the ship. It was probably the best we ever had.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
Viking is very enrichment-focused, and the lectures were of high quality and well-attended.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Fabulous music from the four on-board singers, a classical string duo, a guitarist, and an excellent pop/rock/jazz band with co-lead singers performing each night. No magicians, comics, dancers, or DJ - but that's the way Viking does it.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Outstanding and consistent service from friendly and attentive staff members who knew our names and cabin numbers from the first day without needing computer help

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
The layout was easy to navigate - only two stairwells/elevator banks, and with almost all services located on just the decks: 1, 2, and 7. Many and varied public areas with excellent views, and lots of room - you can almost always get a seat in your preferred venue. Outdoor promenade on deck 2 guess completely around the ship.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Great size. Lots of storage. Convenient electrical outlets on both sides of the bed and at the desk. Totally clean and very comfortable.

Ports of call

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5
Arrived early and started at the Caribe Hilton for the nights. Easy access to Old San Juan. Included walking tour was good, but it was too much for a couple of the older guests with mobility challenges due to the heat/humidity, cobblestones, hills, and crowds (there was a festival going on).

St. John's, Antigua

5 out of 5
Good included bus tour with two stops.

Castries, St. Lucia

5 out of 5
Good included bus tour.

Bridgetown, Barbados

5 out of 5
We've stayed in Barbados before, and loved that the included tour took us to places we had not visited previously

Devils Island, French Guiana

5 out of 5
Very interesting historically. No tour or guides, just explore on your own. Very difficult terrain with some steep hills and lots of steps, so not good for those with mobility challenges.

Cruise Amazon River

5 out of 5
Wonderful experience, with a narrated passage through the "Meeting of the Waters" near Manaus

Santarem, Brazil

5 out of 5
The Folkloric presentation was great. My wife described it as "watching Zumba on steroids with spectacular costumes."

Parintins, Brazil

5 out of 5
Great bus tour.

Manaus, Brazil

5 out of 5
Great included tour.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Easy and well-organized.
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5 Comments

ddme     9 months ago

Thanks for a very detailed review. Especially the Ports.

Gwbigdog     9 months ago

Thanks for sharing

cruising2004     9 months ago

Sounds wonderful! Thank you for your review.

javawoody     9 months ago

Thanks for the detailed review of your amazing itinerary.

Ruby13     9 months ago

Glad you had a great time