Day 8 – Thursday12 September 2024
Our flight was timed at departing Paris CDG at 14:10 with departure from boat at 10:15 so we had time for a leisurely breakfast and read in the lounge. We shared a mini-bus with another couple on the same flight. Paralympics had finished now so Paris was opened up and all motorway lanes were open. The driver acted as if he was at the wheel of a racing car and we parked at CDG Departures after a 35 minute drive.
A Viking rep greeted us at the kerb, took some cases and led us through the airport to a lift and the checkin desks, which weren’t open for 20 minutes, so she found us seats to wait. When the desks were open she took us to them, stayed with us and lifted our cases onto the belt. When all four of us had checked in, she took us to the security entry and wished us a good flight. Viking's service at airport arrival and departure was exemplary.
The lounge BA used at CDG was spacious and there was ample seating. We landed in London, thanks to the time difference, 10 minutes after we departed.
Summary
A pleasant cruise. Highlight for us was the D-Day excursion and we’d have liked more time. Combining Canadian and British sites made for a more crowded itinerary than those on the American excursion.
For the first time, there wasn’t a resident pianist on the cruise, instead were used locals who joined at stops on the cruise.
The design of Vikings Longboats is excellent. I like being able to dine outside on the prow with nothing but a chest-height glass screen in front. No dinghies, winches or open hatches to obscure the view.
Even inside it's light and airy with opening glass doors in front and a glass roof.
