Viking Mani

The Viking Mani is one of Viking River Cruises’ newest longships, debuting with space for 190 guests. She features two of the buzzworthy Explorer Suites with private wraparound verandas, along with several veranda suites, verandas, French balcony rooms and standard staterooms. The Viking Mani’s streamlined design fits in with Viking Rivers’ simply elegant aesthetic, the best of which is epitomized in the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, the Lounge (and bar) and The Restaurant with panoramic views. One of the Viking Mani’s most popular areas is the sun deck which offers 360-degree views with a putting green, walking track, herb garden and shaded lounge area.

It's tough not to feel immediately at home onboard Viking Mani, one of Viking Cruises' notable Longships. It exudes a comfortably casual ambience, like a beloved summer house, rather than aiming for the glitz and wow factor of oceangoing mega-ships or the in-your-face period charm of some of the higher-end river cruises. The riverboat is decorated simply, in tones of beige, blue and cream. Glass is virtually everywhere, which allows in plenty of natural light. Natural wood makes up a big part of the decor, as well; our favorite such touch is in the main dining room, where a wall of woven wood gives the illusion of an old wooden Norse Viking ship. Fresh-cut flowers are found throughout. In fact, the only truly over-the-top touch is the artwork that sits atop the staircase of the atrium: a huge modern painting depicting a moon and a Viking amid a cacophony of colors. This painting is a nod to the Norse moon god, Mani, for which the ship is named. While all of Viking's Longships are virtually identical, the art on each is distinctly linked to the god tied to the name of the ship. On Mani, you'll also find other pieces of art related to the moon.

sssViking knows its audience well, and the culture onboard Viking Mani reflects that. While there's nothing wrong with a truly international experience in which passengers of all backgrounds mingle with one another, Viking caters primarily to English-speaking travelers. That means the experience onboard is uniquely American and feels familiar -- and comfortable -- to those from the United States and Canada. Food has a bit of an international flair but is not so out of the box that passengers won't recognize it. All crewmembers speak English in addition to their native tongues, and they speak it well. 

The crew onboard Viking Mani are exceptional during the cruise, they quickly learn the details of all the passengers onboard, greeting them by name and quickly identifying their cabin numbers without even asking. Service in the restaurants is quick without being rushed and accommodating without being intrusive. Thoughtful touches, like bottled water handed out as passengers head to port and cool (lemon-scented!) towels when they return, make the experience feel even more special.

Casual, comfortable attire is encouraged for both ship and shore on Viking Longships. The must-pack item is, without question, a comfortable pair of walking shoes for shore tours. As the ship sails in Europe, with its lovely and historic landscapes, tours frequently involve cobblestones and other uneven surfaces. The staff and the daily program provide ample notice when this is the case. Shorts during the summer and jeans year-round are the norm for both men and women. Layers are key in the fall and spring, when the weather can change quickly. A raincoat will keep you dry in port.

Generally, passengers "dress up" to varying degrees in the evenings but never to the level of a big-ship formal night. Most don the kind of attire worn at a nice restaurant on land, but others don't bother to change from their sensible shore excursion gear. Save your best outfits (maybe casual dresses for women and collared shirts and blazers for men) for events like the captain's welcome and farewell dinners.