I had never experienced the West Indies, although I had explored many of the Caribbean islands in both the eastern and western regions. Viking Ocean Cruises offers the perfect way to rectify this with its “West Indies Explorer” itinerary, departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
My daughter, Olivia Moore, and I flew to San Juan, travelled to the Viking Sea, which was docked nearby, unpacked, and joined an included excursion: a sunset walk through the city’s historic district.
We toured the old city with six other guests. Along the way, we admired Spanish colonial architecture on the centuries-old UNESCO World Heritage streets, paved with steel-blue adoquín stone, originally used to ballast the Spanish galleons that brought settlers to the area.
of the photo stops along the tour. Photo by Marilyn Jones
Highlights included the San Juan Gate, an impressive remnant of the three-mile-long wall that once encircled the city; the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, the oldest cathedral in the U.S.; and Plaza de Armas, featuring the Four Seasons Fountain and its four 19th-century marble statues.
We continued to Hotel El Convento, which dates back to 1646 when it functioned as a convent. Our final stop was a café, where we sampled rum punch before returning to the ship.
Viking Sea is a small, all-veranda ship with just 930 guests, allowing it to dock in ports inaccessible to larger vessels. Its centerpiece is the atrium, furnished like a three-storey living room. On the first floor, service desks are staffed by professional and friendly personnel available to assist passengers with any questions or concerns. Musicians perform classical and modern pieces regularly in the central atrium.
Guests have three options for breakfast: 24-hour room service; the World Café, offering a wide variety of breakfast items; and Mamsen’s, a small Norwegian restaurant near the Explorer’s Lounge. We chose Mamsen’s for its calm atmosphere and attentive staff. We enjoyed traditional heart-shaped waffles and a Skolebrød (Norwegian custard bun) with coffee for Olivia and tea for me.
After breakfast, we took a short walk to explore more of the old city, passing colourful buildings, a family of chickens, and several souvenir shops.
Later, we had lunch at the World Café, where guests help themselves to a variety of delicious offerings.
After lunch, we explored the ship, including the main pool area, the infinity pool, and the Viking Heritage Center. The Living Room and Library are quiet, peaceful spaces that enhance the ship’s serene atmosphere, with its Scandinavian-inspired design of vanilla-coloured wood, brass accents, and minimalist furnishings.
Afternoon Tea in the Wintergarden quickly became a favourite. A classical string duet accompanied the experience, as we enjoyed finger foods, including tiny sandwiches and pastries elegantly arranged on a three-tiered platter.
Before dinner, we attended the port talk, which previewed our visit to Tortola, followed by a lecture titled “Explorers—The Age of Discovery” by Viking Resident Historian Geoff Peters.
Our day concluded with dinner at The Restaurant. Two specialty restaurants are also available by reservation at no additional charge: Manfredi’s (Italian) and The Chef’s Table.
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Each day, we participated in the included morning excursion, leaving the rest of the day free to explore the port. Optional excursions were also available.
Every port along our 11-day itinerary offered small open-air safari buses or vans accommodating around 12 guests, making the tours almost private. Our driver-guide was consistently knowledgeable and friendly.
Tortola, with its 50 islands and cays, boasts lush forests and pristine beaches. Our excursion took us along Ridge Road, Tortola’s highest point, with multiple stops to photograph the sapphire and azure waters and verdant mountains. We visited Road Town, the capital, and finally Cane Garden Bay, where some swam while others relaxed in lounge chairs, enjoying delicious rum punch.
St. Kitts and Nevis
The smallest independent country in the Americas, St. Kitts welcomed us with its stunning scenery of mountains, green vistas, and surrounding Caribbean and Atlantic waters. Our included excursion took us to the capital, Basseterre, and to the Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden, a former sugar plantation dating to circa 1701.
The restored house offered a self-guided tour, with each room carefully curated to reflect life more than 300 years ago. The basement museum presents the history of the plantation’s enslaved people, a reminder of the broader legacy of slavery across the Caribbean.
Island Histories
Originally inhabited by the Kalinago, the pre-European inhabitants of Saint Kitts called the island Liamuiga, meaning “fertile land.” On most of the islands we visited, Indigenous peoples either left or were decimated by disease and conflict before enslaved Africans were brought to work the sugar plantations, enriching European settlers.
Our cruise continued with stops in Saint Lucia, with its glorious mountainous vistas over lush landscapes and turquoise waters.
In Barbados, the highlight was an optional tour of Hunte’s Gardens and Flower Forest. Deep in the rainforest, Hunte’s Gardens is a vibrant, ornately designed garden created by Anthony Hunte in a sunken jungle. Flower Forest offered a contrasting experience, with trails winding through giant foliage and brightly coloured flowers.
Dominica was one of my favourite islands. We visited Abilities Unlimited, a centre for the visually impaired, where craftspeople created stunning baskets and other crafts. We also toured the Roseau Botanical Gardens, featuring a bamboo house and flowering shrubs that attracted hummingbirds.
On Antigua, we visited Shirley Heights Lookout, once the principal British fortification, offering spectacular views, and Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the last remaining Georgian dockyard still in use today.
St. Martin, shared by France and the Netherlands since 1648, offered a fascinating mix of cultures. Our tour took us from the Dutch side to the French, surrounded by a carpet of green foliage, colourful flowers, and sparkling water.
Finally, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, our guide drove us to Mountain Top, 2,100 feet above sea level, offering breathtaking views of bays and pristine beaches.
All too soon, our cruise ended. We visited nine islands, each rich in history, natural beauty, and unique legends. The ship, the service, and the shore excursions combined to make this escape from everyday life a lasting vacation memory.