This post is based primarily on Don's notes, occasionally supplemented with MT's notes from our cruise in November-December 2023. When information from other sources is added—for further explanation to readers or to satisfy our own curiosity—that is set off in a text box (as this one).
Most of the photos that accompany this post are from Don’s camera (with a caption indicating the time it was taken); those from MT’s iPhone are indicated by “MT” placed at the beginning of the photo caption. Photos from any other source (such as the public domain Wikimedia Commons), occasionally used for clarification, indicate that source in the caption.
Most of the photos that accompany this post are from Don’s camera (with a caption indicating the time it was taken); those from MT’s iPhone are indicated by “MT” placed at the beginning of the photo caption. Photos from any other source (such as the public domain Wikimedia Commons), occasionally used for clarification, indicate that source in the caption.
The Viking Daily newsletter showed today's weather forecast as "Cloudy 78° F" and "Sunrise: 5:04 AM."
Don woke at 6:45 am (MT already up).
Room Service breakfast (ordered for 7:15-7:30) arrived at 7:20.
From 9:15 to 10:28, we walked around Decks 8 and 9. The weather report said it was 73° F but with wind at 24 mph, gusting to 25 mph.
At 11:00, MT went to the Star Theater (Deck 2) for "Cast Q & A," where the Viking Vocalists answered questions from the audience. Don joined her shortly after.
At 12:00, we went to the Living Room (Deck 1, at the bottom of the 3-story Atrium) to see the Christmas Gingerbread Village.
Thursday, December 7, 2023, 12:34 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village -left side (over the top of the Steinway grand piano).
12:34 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - center and part of right side.
12:34 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - right side.
Then Don took closer photos, from left to right. Now visible are signs on most houses with names of onboard eating establishments. MT also took photos of many of the same houses (sometimes with more legible signs) and a few Don's photos did not show.
12:35 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - "World Café House" (at far left); next house without a sign but with flags of many countries.
12:35 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - house without a sign but with flags of many countries (at left); next house to right has sign for "Restaurant Mansion," and the one behind it says "Mamsens Villa."
MT 12:08 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - just to the left of "Restaurant Mansion," hidden in Don's photo, is the small building called "The Bar Residence."
12:36 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - "Restaurant Mansion," with "Mamsens Villa" and "Man[fredi's] Palace" behind it.
12:36 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - building with tunnel for train and sign for "Destination Viking Star" in front of it; just to the right of it is a small tan sign for "Santa's H..." and then a small house called "Turvi's Villa."
12:36 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - "Turvi's Villa" and "Pastry Kingdom" at right, with "Chef's Farmhouse" behind it.
12:36 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - "Pastry Kingdom," with "Chef's Farmhouse" and a corner of the church behind it.
12:36 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - church with "Merry Christmas" message and "Living Room Mansion" at right.
12:37 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - "Living Room Mansion."
12:38 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - "Bakery's Funhouse."
12:37 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - "Chef's Table Resort."
12:11 PM Viking Star: Christmas Gingerbread Village - far right end of the display with "Bakery's Funhouse" and "Chef's Table Resort."
While looking at the Christmas Gingerbread Village, we met a couple from Chicago who showed us Christmas cookies available at the Bar (Deck 1, next to the Living Room).
Then we went with that couple to Mamsen's (Deck7) for soups and sandwiches. MT got 2 pieces of Apple Cake to take to the refrigerator in our stateroom.
At 1:30, MT went back to the Bar (Deck 1) for Christmas cookies. They were out of those but said to come back in 15 minutes.
Around 4:00, we watched part of the movie "Australia" on the TV in our stateroom.
At 6:00, we went to The Restaurant (Deck 2) for our pre-ordered dinner.
From 7:15 to 7:45, we went to the Explorers' Lounge (Deck 7) for Guitar Entertainer "Explorers' Acoustics" performance.
Back in our stateroom, we watched the rest of the "Australia" movie.
9:17 PM Viking Star: TV in our stateroom showed map of our cruise, with Viking Star headed back to California.
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