Day 2 - Hamilton, Bermuda

Viking Orion is remains docked in Hamilton, Bermuda, today. My day starts off in typical fashion: with coffee and a computer. The morning is when I get most of my work done. I go through all of the photos and video from the previous day, and write my blog. Mamsen’s/Explorer’s Bar is one of the most comfortable work spots on the ship. A waitress brings me my coffee and offers to take my photo.

As the sun begins to rise, I run out to the forward deck in front of Explorer’s Bar to grab a photo of the bow. Viking Orion appears to be docked right in the city, which it practically is! I am not a big breakfast eater, so I skip it today, but tomorrow is Sunday, my cheat day, so I will be trying one of the signature waffles at Mamsen’s.

Photos from Viking Orion

For lunch today, I decide to keep it fairly light since I have reservations for dinner at Manfredi’s tonight. World Cafe is one of the best cruise ship buffet restaurants, so the choice is an easy one. All of the food at World Cafe is served by crew members from behind the line. There are serving lines on the port and starboard sides of the ship, which are mostly the same except that pizza is only served on starboard side for lunch. It is easy to walk around the back of World Cafe to go from port to startboard, or vice-versa.

I started with a salad plate with Taboulleh, Russian Salad, Chorizo, Cheese and Black Forest Ham.

My main course today was the Margherita Pizza. The pizza at World Cafe is very good, but you have to get it when it is fresh. If it sits under the heat lamp for more than a few minutes, the crust loses its flavor and crispness. I think a glass of sparkling wine with pizza is a perfect pairing, don’t you?

After lunch, I decide to venture into Hamilton to do a little souvenir shopping. I stop along the way for a photo with the ship.

From a couple of blocks away, Viking Orion really does look like it is docked right in the middle of town! There are lots of shops, restaurants, bars and businesses along Front street and the adjacent streets, all within easy walking distance from the ship.

When I got back onboard the ship, I took a shower and shot a short video for YouTube of my embarkation experience. At 4:00pm, I attended a lecture, “Explorers-The Age of Discovery,” given by Dr. Bryan Babcock. It was very interesting and I look forward to attending more lectures.

Dr. Bryan Babcock

Soon it was time for my Happy Hour before going to dinner. I enjoy a Crown Royal in the Viking Bar on Deck 1 and the waiter brings me some delectable treats to enjoy with my drink.

I showed up for my reservation at Manfredi’s a little early, but it was no problem getting seated at a beautiful table for two next to a window. My waiter brings a basket of beautiful breads and a bowl of Parmesan cheese and olive oil with balsamic.

When it came time to place my order, it was an easy decision. For my main course, it had to be the Bistecca Fiorentina. This tender and delicious rib-eye is the best steak on any cruise ship, and is my ‘go-to’ main course at Manfredi’s.

I also chose to try the Antipasti starter and it was very good, but way more than I was expecting.

When my Bistecca arrived, it brought back fond memories of previous Viking voyages where Rickee and I enjoyed wonderful meals at Manfredi’s. The steak was perfectly cooked, tender and delicious. I ordered a side of creamed spinach which was the perfect accompaniment to the steak.

After devouring the huge steak, I took what was left of my glass of red wine back out to the Atrium on Deck 1 and enjoyed the sounds of the Classical Duo.

There is no theater show tonight, only a movie. So, I decide to head back to my stateroom early. It was an amazing and relaxing day aboard Viking Orion. Tomorrow, the ship will be at sea, sailing towards Kings Wharf, Bermuda.