When I return to our stateroom this morning and look out of our window, I can see locals greeting our arrival with some circus-like performers. There is upbeat music playing and the performers seem excited to have their photos taken with guests who are disembarking for local tours. It is nice to see a community that is welcoming to cruise guests.

We met our local guide, Alyce, for our morning walking tour of Saguenay (included). This morning, we are using the QuietVox receivers so we can all hear the guide speaking as we walk through the quiet streets of Saguenay.

Our first stop was at a local merchant who makes soap products. Although he did not give an actual soap-making demonstration, he did describe the process in detail. Several guests, ourselves included, purchased some of the scented hand-made soaps. Interestingly, the soap includes goat’s milk as one of the ingredients.

Our next stop, just a few doors down from the soap shop, is a local artist who utilizes multiple-mediums in her paintings. She also has many of her designs printed on clothing items which she sells in her shop.

Our final stop on our walking tour was yet another local artist who creates hand-painted textile products like table runners, pillow cases, tea towels, tee shirts, etc. We purchased one of her table runners for our home.

I would rate this tour about a 2 out of 5. It was mostly a series of shopping opportunities with very little substance and very little to see. If you are looking for a way to get off the ship for a couple of hours and enjoy a slow-paced walk around town, I suppose this walking tour is a good choice.

As we walk back to the ship, I am able to snag a photo of Viking Polaris docked in Saguenay.

Once back on board, it is time for lunch at World Cafe. Today’s special is Poutine, a French-Canadian specialty, with a Viking Cruises’ twist. Viking’s version of this Canadian classic is a bowl of French Fries topped with ground beef, covered in brown gravy, then topped with shredded cheese. It was actually pretty good, but would have been much better if the fries had been fresh and hot. Neither the fries not the gravy were hot enough to melt the shredded cheese.

This afternoon, Marc Jansen hosted our daily briefing at The Aula where we learned that our excursion in Sept-Iles tomorrow has been cancelled due to projected weather conditions. The Excursion Team is offering Zodiac and Special Operations Boat rides as an alternative. Also, they are operating a complimentary local shuttle bus into town every half hour.

Daily Briefing With Expedition Leader, Marc Jansen

Today just so happens to be our 29th anniversary of our very first date! So, we decided to celebrate with dinner at The Restaurant (Deck 1 aft). The Restaurant decor and layout is virtually identical to that on the Viking Ocean ships, albeit smaller in scale.

The left side of The Restaurant menu offers a series of always available starters, main courses, side items and desserts. The right side of the menu offers three starters, three main courses and two dessert choices that change each day.

Rickee stuck with the always available menu, starting with the poached Tiger Prawns. She was served three of the shrimp along with some very good pickled cucumber; however, there was no cocktail sauce. After we inquired about the missing sauce, the head waiter made sure to bring it.

For my starter, I ordered the crab cake, which was served atop an avocado salad and topped with orange, fennel and dill. You had to scrape off the “slaw” on top to reveal the crab cake. It was well cooked and flavorful, however, I would have preferred an aioli to the avocado underneath.

Rickee ordered the Beer Marinated Chicken for her main. She did not think to ask for dark meat, which is her preference. They brought her a huge white meat quarter section with a breast and wing. A side of Diane sauce and a roasted tomato accompanied the chicken. The chicken was flavorful, but a bit dry, as is typical of white meat chicken. It definitely needed the sauce.

She ordered a side of mashed potatoes, which were excellent, and really the only item that was delivered hot.

We are probably the only two people in The Restaurant who did not order the Spiny Lobster from the daily specials menu, but neither of us are huge lobster fans. I ordered the Ricotta and Pecorino Tortellini with cheese and pepper sauce. The pasta was cooked nicely and the flavors were good, but it was a very small portion, about five tortellini. And, unfortunately, it was only luke warm. I would not order it again.

I also ordered a side of the Charred Maple Syrup Brussel Sprouts, which were quite tasty, but again, just not served hot. Our overall experience at The Restaurant was just so-so and not as good as what we have experienced on other Viking Ocean ships. We have a second reservation here later in the cruise and we are seriously considering cancelling the reservation.

Tomorrow, we will be in Sept-Îles, Quebec and we have reserved an Archipelago excursion. We also will be dining in Manfredi’s for the second time.