Viking Girl – Travel Blog

Whether you’re after luxury amenities, family-friendly fun, or adventurous itineraries, there’s a perfect cruise ship for every traveler. Here’s a guide to some of the best cruise ships that combine comfort, entertainment, and unforgettable experiences.

1. Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas

Why It’s Amazing:

The Symphony of the Seas is one of the largest and most iconic cruise ships in the world. It’s perfect for travelers seeking adventure and diversity in activities.

Highlights:

• Aboard you’ll find a thrilling zip line, FlowRider surf simulators, an ice-skating rink, and even a 10-deck Ultimate Abyss slide.
• Sixteen decks filled with over 20 restaurants, bars, and lounges cater to every craving.
• Family-friendly spaces like the Boardwalk and a dedicated kids’ water park make it ideal for all ages.

2. Disney Wish

Why It’s Amazing:

Made especially for families, Disney Wish brings the magic of Disney to the seas with themed decor, character experiences, and specially curated entertainment.

Highlights:

• Interactive water rides, like the AquaMouse, bring fun for kids and adults.
• Themed dining experiences, including a Marvel cinematic dinner and Frozen-inspired magic.
• Broadway-style shows and plenty of Disney character meet-and-greets to keep children entertained.

3. Celebrity Edge

Why It’s Amazing:

For those who love modern design, cutting-edge technology, and high-end quality, Celebrity Edge is the ultimate stylish getaway.

Highlights:

• Stunning staterooms with Infinite Verandas that blur the line between indoor and outdoor living.
• The Magic Carpet, a floating platform, offers panoramic sea views and changes its function depending on the time of day.
• Culinary delights await at 29 dining venues focused on global gastronomy.

4. Norwegian Prima

Why It’s Amazing:

Norwegian Prima is tailored for those who love live entertainment and upscale dining, paired with a touch of adventure.

Highlights:

• The Prima Speedway—the world’s first three-level go-kart track at sea.
• Infinity pools and an ocean-facing spa offer unparalleled relaxation.
• Unique dining options like Food Republic and Onda by Scarpetta.

5. Oceania Riviera

Why It’s Amazing:

If fine dining and cultural exploration are your priorities, the Oceania Riviera delivers this seamlessly.

Highlights:

• Gourmet cuisine crafted by world-renowned chefs, complemented by onboard cooking classes.
• Intimate and luxurious accommodations tailored for adults over families.
• Smaller ship size allows access to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Thanks to our sponsor Snohomish Fence

The Vikings were a seafaring people from Scandinavia who flourished during the 8th to 11th centuries, raiding and trading across Europe. They were highly skilled sailors, navigators and warriors, traveling in their longships as far south as North Africa, Constantinople and Russia.

Vikings were known for their bold explorations and raids of other lands. They plundered monasteries and towns along the coastlines of England and France, often mercilessly slaughtering their inhabitants. But they also had an interest in colonizing newly discovered lands. In the 9th century they established colonies in Iceland, Greenland and even parts of North America.

The daily life of Vikings was centered around agriculture and fishing. They were also great craftsmen, fashioning tools from wood and metal, as well as luxury items such as jewelry made from gold or silver. Trading with other cultures was also important to them; they frequently traveled to distant markets to buy exotic goods such as silk from China or spices from India.

Politically speaking, Vikings did not have one single ruler but instead were divided into small kingdoms ruled by chieftains or kings who centralized power by forming alliances among various clans. These alliances eventually led to larger empires—such as those established by Harald Fairhair in Norway—which helped form the basis of modern Nordic nation states.

Religiously speaking, most Vikings believed in Norse paganism which included a pantheon of gods that they sought guidance from during battles or important decisions like marriage or land deals. By the 11th century however some began converting to Christianity brought over by missionaries travelling through Northern Europe.

Overall it can be said that Vikings played an integral role in shaping both European history and culture throughout their era—it is for this reason why their legacy continues to fascinate us today!

We now run Leavenworth Painting up in Washington State.

Thanks for reading on the history of Vikings. We are happy to share of our heritage!

The interior is richly appointed and finished in a natural, satin varnished teak wood. Fully Air Conditioned. Abundant natural lighting from opening ports and deck hatches.
Light – cheerful – airy!

GUESTS:
Sleeps six to eight (6 – 8) guests subject to location and configuration. Two near-equal size staterooms aft, each with private head and shower facilities. Each aft stateroom features a large double bed, private wardrobe, and book shelves. Private access up to the aft deck and helm area.

Two additional guest staterooms forward of the mid-ship salon. Each stateroom has private facilities. The bedding for each stateroom may be modified as large lower doubles or traditional upper and lower berths depending on need. Each stateroom has a private wardrobe and drawer storage.

SALON & GALLEY:
A sumptuous salon is amid ship with U-shaped sofa area to port with drop leaf table seating up to eight. Adjacent to starboard is a comfortable L-shaped sofa arrangement and drop-leaf coffee table. The fully equipped Galley is discretely off to the port side aft.

CREW:
The primary crew area is forward. with private access via the bow deck hatch.

For warming our guests we use steel fire bowls from Linderman Builds.

Catch us on the sea!

We have had a great winter, the weather has been fantastic. It has been the driest and mildest winter in the eastern Mediterranean for many years, so we have much appreciated being land based in Cephelonia.

We are launching Viking Girl II in Marmaris mid April and ready for charter work in early May. She has a good number of bookings already and we will be based in Turkey for the early part of the summer then moving into the Aegean and Ionian as the summer proceeds.

While the yacht has been in the shipyard this winter we have done extensive refurbishing. She will be looking sharp and well maintained for another season.

Our new crew, Jonathan, will join us on the shipyard and we are lucky to have such a qualified and amicable yachtsman onboard to spend the summer with.

Hopefully we will discover one or two new pretty bays to add to the list but at least our cruising this summer will take us to many of our favourite spots.

Do contact us for availability and further information. Thanks to our guests Wenatchee Auto Glass team.

Cheers!
Chris and Melanie Bowles

Melanie’s love of good food and people was instilled into her at an early age, starting with her early childhood at the Coral Beach Hotel in Bermuda and later at her family owned and run country house hotel in Yorkshire, England. She qualified as a Cordon Bleu chef at the age of 19 and has held positions ranging from Government House in Bermuda to embassy residences and private homes in Switzerland, Bermuda and England.As a result of her training and background, Melanie places great importance on first-class menus, high standards of presentations and personal service.

These elements epitomize what Melanie brings to VIKING GIRL II.  Melanie continues to enhanced her experiences with the local cuisines and is delighted to share her culinary enthusiasm with the guests. Melanie is very keen on many sports and loves traveling to unusual places.

  First Mate / Deckhand : Jonathan Hill, 29 – British

Jonathan Hill is our 1st mate for the summer of 2007. He grew up in Oxfordshire England. He has worked up until last season for a UK based Flotilla Company being in charge of up to 12 yachts. Having worked in Greece, Turkey and the Caribbean he is well travelled and enjoys meeting new people and has made a good network of friends in the countries he has visited.

He is a qualified Commercial Yachtmaster and enjoys the challenges of sailing and all aspects of water sports. Being a keen photographer he tries to capture the atmosphere and beauty of the many places that he has sailed in.

Jonathan has come a long way in a relatively short period of time leaving the hustle and bustle of the rat race of London to now looking forward to furthering his career on the water. Prior to this working with Cincinnati Auto Glass company

As you can see, if you travel with viking girl you will be in good hands and company!

 Captain: Chris Bowles – British

… a world-class sailing yacht, specifically designed for top quality, private crewed charters, suitably equipped for warm water charters …

Chris Bowles [pictured above] is the experienced owner/captain of VIKING GIRL II. Chris is was born and raised in Oxford, England. He has chartered successfully in the Mediterranean for 15 years and more recently in the Caribbean and the Seychelles. He is a very experienced yachtsman and attentive host who prides himself in maintaining high standards on board whilst offering friendly, unobtrusive service.

He is interested in marine life, ornithology, and archaeology, with a good reference library on board to answer any questions.

This team is proud to have the opportunity to operate VIKING GIRL II to your satisfaction. The ambition of Chris Bowles and crew is to ensure that guests have the best cruising experiences of their lives in new and exciting locations. The Crew looks forward to welcoming all their guests on board for a fun and successful summer.

 

Our Ship is awesome. High speed and fishability. 30 FT bridge clearance for a wow factor for your yacht guests. You can fish with family friends and kids. You also have access to live bait loads. Perfect for a fishing trip. We last took  wenatchee-plumbing.com/services along with us. They were a blast to help out.