The easygoing and friendly atmosphere on board the Viking Tialfi
makes for a relaxing sailing experience writes John Wilmott.
GO WITH THE FLOW
As soon as I saw the
elegantly modern profile
of the Viking Tialfi
beside the quay, I knew
I was in for a premium
experience.
Stepping on board, I noticed how the
atrium style lobby was flooded with natural
light through the floor-to-ceiling windows—
something I quickly realised extended
throughout the ship's public spaces.
In fact, one of my favourite spots was the
Aquavit Terrace, the inside section of which is
like a conservatory so the passing scenery can
be fully appreciated while staying cosy on the
sofas. However, whenever the weather
allowed I opened the door to the outside
forward deck, where tables and chairs
encouraged al fresco coffee or dining,
protected by a glass windshield.
Even better in my opinion was to ascend
the steps to the expansive Sun Deck. I loved
sitting on one of the wooden deckchairs
forward of the bridge with a commanding
view of the river ahead.
Inside, the plentiful light helped to
showcase Viking's choice of natural materials,
with wood, leather and wool evident in the
wall coverings and Scandi-chic furnishings.
There is some lovely detail, such as the twisted
root carving on the sink base in the public
bathroom.
My stateroom was a haven of comfort –
Viking's mattresses are superb—with plenty of
space for my belongings, plus a decent
amount of water pressure in the shower. Fresh
water in a carafe, regularly replenished, was a
nice touch. I confess I rarely switched on the
large interactive TV, prefering to socialise in
the Lounge or be up on Deck.
Having said that, my private veranda gave
me the chance for a little downtime with my
thoughts, watching the birdlife along the
riverbank.
Mealtimes were always a treat and I was
still surprised by how much variety was
available. A couple of times I could not resist a
full English from the breakfast buffet, though
the made-on-the-spot omelettes were also
tasty. For lunch, something like a Cuban
sandwich with salad usually did the trick. In
the evening, I always perused the regional
dishes that the chefs had conjured up, though
my favourite meal was the German buffet
with excellent charcuterie, crispy roast pork
and chunky sausages.
The complimentary drinks service at lunch
Clockwise, from top: An aerial
view of The Aquavit Terrace;
Veranda Stateroom; friendly staff.
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49 | Viking Explorer Society News
