Thank you for joining us on our Viking Sky World Cruise!
Leaving Hawaii, we have five sea days ahead of us on our journey to Tahiti/Bora Bora in French Polynesia, covering approximately 2,400 miles between ports. This update shares our trip schedule and insights from a series of long sea days. After experiencing five continuous days at sea from LA to Hawaii, we’ve settled into a comfortable routine.
First, let’s discuss flexibility and the changes in our itinerary. We left Kauai, Hawaii, on Sunday evening, planning to arrive in Bora Bora the following Saturday morning. However, during Tuesday’s captain’s noontime announcement, we learned that a passenger fell ill. Unfortunately, we were too far from land for a helicopter evacuation, and no nearby hospital was available. The captain decided to engage all four engines (which we felt while we slept) and head directly to Papeete, Tahiti, where a hospital is located and where we’d also be stopping—although we’d arrive two days earlier than initially planned. The downside is that we’ll miss Bora Bora. The adjusted plan will be to travel from Papeete to Moorea and back to Papeete.
During the announcement, the captain highlighted the importance of prioritizing the passenger’s health over guest amenities. While it’s disappointing to miss Bora Bora, it demonstrates the challenges that can arise on a world cruise. Lesson #1: be prepared for unexpected changes. This cruise is primarily composed of older, mostly retired individuals, some of whom may not be young and fit but are making the most of their travel experiences. We’ve met several travelers coping with illnesses yet displaying great positivity.
On Thursday morning, the captain updated us again: after negotiations, we will go from Papeete (after dropping off the guest) to Bora Bora and then back to Papeete, missing Moorea instead. Our return to Papeete on Sunday is necessary for refueling, resupplying, and welcoming new crew members—essential for ensuring we don’t run out of wine or food! For those hoping to see Moorea, a 30-minute ferry ride from Papeete is an option.
To summarize our sea days: we wake up, enjoy breakfast, attend various morning lectures, participate in trivia, have lunch (with ice cream!), then relax—whether in our room, at the spa, or taking an afternoon nap. Our evenings are filled with games, sunset views over glasses of wine, dinners, shows, and meaningful conversations with new friends.
One highlight has been lectures by a couple who traveled the world on a motorbike. They share tips on photography, specifically how to best utilize iPhones and Androids. Their sessions have been so popular that they had to move to a larger venue to accommodate demand. It’s clear that the older generation has a strong desire to learn these modern features. We’ll miss their presence when they leave in Auckland.
Other interesting lectures included Mick Dawson, who rowed a canoe from Japan to San Francisco (the first person to do so), and Patrick Goodness on the ancient rituals of Polynesia.
On Tuesday night, a group of cruise friends made a reservation for a captain’s table for seven couples. The only rule was that spouses couldn’t sit next to each other. We enjoyed a delightful evening, meeting fascinating individuals with remarkable careers, and shared plenty of laughs. Gina and I even won the “Who has been married the longest?” conversation!
We crossed the equator on Wednesday night, participating in the traditional ceremony where “pollywogs” (first-time crossers) become “Shellbacks” by kissing a tuna fish and plunging into cold water before enjoying a glass of sparkling wine. It was a lively scene on the upper deck!
Noon trivia has also been a highlight. After leaving LA, Gina and I initially participated alone until we were invited to join a trio of fellow cruisers: Maya, Marguerite, and John. Now, we enjoy playing trivia together, winning a round just before reaching Hawaii! And on today’s contest our team lost in a tiebreaker between us and another team so no mimosa for us today.
Dining has been fantastic, and we rotate through various venues, always striking up conversations with nearby tables. The entertainment has consistently been engaging, and the Viking formula for lectures and shows has struck the perfect balance—around 45 minutes long.
In addition to leisure, we’ve had time for spa treatments, working on emails, organizing photos, and, of course, updating this blog.
