Something Different

Wed Aug 6

Let's do something different for today instead of boring you with the same old church excursions city and walks  we will take a brief tour of the ship.

The Viking Buri is 3 levels, the lower level cabins are approximately halfway below the water line . The second level contains the dining room, as well as state rooms in the lobby area. The third deck has  a seating area for viewing while cruising and also a covered terrace just behind the bow where you can sit also. It serves light meals also for breakfast and lunch.

On top of the third deck, running the full length of the ship is the sun deck that has open areas and covered areas 4 sitting and lounging while cruising. It also has a very small miniature golf course, shuffleboard courts and a walking track.

The ship is approx 440 ft long, 38 ft wide and 3 stories high and weighs 2660 ton.
All of this to carry approx 200 passengers and 50 crew.

Let's start in RECEPTION In the lobby is the reception desk and a small store with Viking logoed  merchandise.

On both sides of the lobby there are sliding doors for entering and exiting the ship depending on what level is the doc is and what side is talk on.

DINING ROOM

The dining room has six eight and ten person tables, serving breakfast lunch and dinner. Dining is open seating sit with whatever you wish.

For breakfast and lunch you could also eat a lighter meal on the Aquavit Terrace..

UPPER LOBBY

The upper lobby contains the ships library, two computer stations for guests to use, the internet , the concierge desk and two coffee stations that are open 24 hours a day with coffee, cappuccino, expresso, tea and pastries.

LOUNGE & BAR

This is where you spend most of your time on the ship the lounge has 270 degree windows, which allows you a panoramic view off both sides of the river while cruising.

The bar is open from mid morning until the last person leaves at night serving a wide variety of both mixed drinks, wine and beer

During lunch and after dinner when there are no presentations or activities using the lounge they have live music.

The lounge is used regular basis for presentations both on things in the european union and information sessions about the ship and the countryside.

This afternoon there is a demonstration on classical french quiche preparation.

AQUAVIT LOUNGE

The Aquavit Lounge is a much smaller area on the front of the ship between the bow and the main lounge, it has sliding doors that can be opened weather permitting for both dining and to sit outside while cruising

This is where you can obtain your lighter continental style breakfast or a sandwich buffet for lunch.

SUN DECK

During the day when the weather is nice this is where most people prefer two lounge, due to a 360 degree view of the river and surroundings.

It runs the length of the ship and has lounges and chairs in both open sun and shaded areas.

There is also a very small miniature golf course, a couple of shuffleboard courts and a walking track.

4 low bridges and locks with little clearance the sun back is closed all of the chairs, railings and awnings are lowered to reduce the height of the ship.

The wheelhouse can also be see sitting towards the front of the ship on the sun deck.

WHEEL HOUSE

As I am sure you know the wheel house is where the ship is controlled from. On a trip river ship however it is a duck of a different order.

The wheel house in addition to controlling all the functions of the ship also goes up and down. For normal cruising it is raised in its normal position and stand's about 10 feet above the deck. When it is necessary to go under a low bridge or a lock with low clearance the wheel house is mounted on sissor hydraulics and can be lowered to a position level with the deck. At this time the captain opens the sunroof and sticks his head out so we can see where he is going or leans close to one of his computers and steers to ship by radar.