Deck 7 Aft
We were here for breakfast, lunch, and often for evening meal or for a quick bite.
The selection was essentially the same as in the Main Dining Room (dinner time, days other than "Captain's days") with added choices (seafood section, etc.).
So (for us) the buffet was much more inviting and convenient than MDR.
This is a port side entrance (looking aft):
This is where you can make reservation for specialty dining. If you were nor able to do so online, make sure you are here as soon as you can.
This is how the magor dining area looks like.
Be careful with these bruise makers...
A waiter is talking to the client (Viking )
A waiter is talking to the clients (Carnival)
These tables for two are the most popular...
... so things happen. Even on Viking...
Closer to the aft part (port side, looking forward):
The aft end of the buffet is a two-deck high space that opens to the aft pool area.
We are at the very end of the buffet, looking from port to starboard:
Looking starboard to port. Check out this spot for "special events" like pasta or seafood cooking in front of you...
As we now familiar with the buffet location and layout, something tells me that you are ready to try something...
Buffet Food
Breakfast was pretty standard for a good cruise ship, not more.
Well, what is a good cruise ship?
OK, let's say you have omelets made to order, smoked salmon, muesli, acceptable juices, good coffee, fruits, nice pastries.
More variety could be seen at lunchtime.
The dinner buffet was even better.
We were very satisfied with food and service in the buffet overall.
However there were a few things we did not like...
Bakery products
Croissants...
This is my favorite breakfast item.
I've heard good words about Viking croissants but...
Breakfast croissants tasted a bit stale. That's my opinion.
They tasted as if they were baked yesterday evening.
Once I tried one of those (smaller ones) prepared for the lunch sandwiches. It was different - fresh and tasted like a croissant.
Croissants on Vikind Star (disappointing):
Compare with proper croissants (to die for) as seen in Barcelona next day after the cruise:
Another bakery item: Raisin Danish
They looked promising but turned out to be rather dry, with minimum custard (if any).
A note: we need to admit that this item is rarely seen on cruise ships. An attempt to do something close to pain au raisin on a ship makes Viking credit.
However...
A proper pain aux raisin is my favorite of the favorite.
It's crispy, with a good deal of custard filling.
Below is an example from a street cafe in London:
After a few attempts we had to exclude bakery products from our breakfast menu.... 🙅
Another thing that Viking did not do right.
There is a simple rule: where cheese goes grapes follow.
There were some good cheeses offered for dinner, but never with grapes.
No grapes anywhere in the buffet at dinnertime..
We had to ask for that.
A couple of times grapes were available upon request, other days the answer was: "We don't have".
Orange Juice..
Viking uses Vitality dispensers.
This is not the quality we can expect for the prices Viking Cruises charge for their cruises.
Another thing to improve: the way waffles are served.
I would add whipped cream and cherry compote.
That is what I wanted to say about a very short list of not so good things. The list of the good things is 10 times longer.
Just want to repeat that we were very satisfied with the buffet overall.
Let's go!
Large "behind the scene" coffee makers:
Foie gras
Escargot
Beef tongue salad (outstanding)
The proper way of eating red caviar: unsalted butter and good white bread. You don't eat white bread?
No problem. You won't eat white bread next time.
But this time (with red caviar) you will.
This is Viking Cruises buffet.
I tried to do my best bringing it to you.
Of course something is missing.
Try it yourself and please let me know how was it.
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