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 "Sunny 66° F" and "Sunrise: 6:42 AM."
Don woke at 7 am (MT already up).
At 8:00, we went to the World Café (Deck 7) for the breakfast buffet.
MT Sunday, December 10, 2023, 8 :35 AM Viking Star: wake of ship.
From 9:20 to 10:20, we walked on Decks 8 and 9.
Then we played Skittles and Shuffleboard on the Sports Deck (Deck 9).
Then we watched the Sunday Mass on YouTube, from a church in Toronto, on MT's iPhone.
At 12:15, we went to the World Café (Deck 7) for lunch.
Then we packed our small carry-on cases for the flight home and the things we would need in the morning before disembarking the ship.''
MT 4:57 PM Viking Star: near sunset; the Viking Daily newsletter said "Sunset: 5:04 PM."
At 6:00, we went to the Chef's Table (Deck 1) for our reserved dinner with the theme "California Cuisine."
Viking Star: Chef's Table - main menu for "California Cuisine" (with two items Don highlighted in red here due to his ginger allergy, which necessitated substitutes):
"AMUSE BOUCHE
"Sweet Potato Chip (apple, rosemary, crème fraiche)
"Leveraging fresh fall produce, this crispy appetizer contrasts the crispness of apple, dulcet overtones of sweet potato, and the herbaceous tang of rosemary."
'FIRST COURSE
"Crab Cake (avocado, orange, fennel, shallot, dill & blood orange)
"Of course, the west coast is in an eternal battle with the east coast over the optimal style for this classic favorite, but here soulmates avocado and orange create the perfect foil for crab's delicate flavor.
"GRANITA
"Moscow Mule (vodka, ginger beer & lime juice)
"The most famous drink born in Los Angeles, this classic was created by Jack Morgan, owner of the Cock 'n' Bull restaurant on Sunset Boulevard. Served in a copper mug, its popularity among the Hollywood crowd helped drive America's post-war vodka craze."
"MAIN COURSE
"Seared Halibut (California olive, herb vinaigrette, crumbled roasted cauliflower, buttered panko)
"Franciscan monks first planted olives at San Diego Mission in 1769. By the late 1800s, a collapsed olive oil market drove 56-year-old Freda Ehmann to develop a preserving process, revolutionizing the olive industry."
'DESSERT
"Ojai Mandarin Parfait (candied ginger)"
"The mandarin orange was introduced to Riverside, California from Saigon. Here, its delicate flavor provides a refreshing finish and pairs well with another Asian native - ginger."
6:21 PM Viking Star: Chef's Table - Don's Crab Cake.
6:52 PM Viking Star: Chef's Table - Don's Seared Halibut.
7:12 PM Viking Star: Chef's Table - MT's Ojai Mandarin Parfait dessert (with candied ginger).
7:12 PM Viking Star: Chef's Table - Don's Panna Cotta substituted dessert (with no ginger).
At 8:00, MT went to the Star Theater (Deck 2) for a final Viking Star Choir practice for singing at Viking Farewell Reception; Don came along to get a good seat for taking pictures with MT's iPhone. During the practice, as well as the actual performance, photos from the Nametag Photo Challenge contest, collecting selfies with crew members wearing name tags, were shown on a screen at the rear of the stage.
MT 8:12 PM Viking Star: Viking Star Choir preparing to practice, with MT in center and one of her Nametag Photo Challenge selfie pictures on the screen to the left of her; unfortunately, a metal flower stage decoration partly covers her face.
MT 8:13 PM Viking Star: right side of Viking Star Choir practicing, with MT in center.
MT 8:14 PM Viking Star: left side of Viking Star Choir practicing, with Viking Vocalist Evia Brettell conducting.
MT 8:15 PM Viking Star: Viking Star Choir practicing, with two of MT's photos on screen.
At 8:30, the doors of the Star Theater opened for the 9:00 Viking Farewell Reception, to which the Viking Daily newsletter invited passengers to "Raise a glass to a memorable journey with the crew of the Viking Star."
MT 9:04 PM Viking Star: opening of Viking Farewell Reception with Cruise Director Kate flanked by Hotel General Manager and Captain (telephoto 61 mm).
MT 9:04 PM Viking Star: Viking Farewell Reception - Captain and part of Viking Band (telephoto 76 mm).
Then the Viking Star Choir performed.
MT 9:13 PM Viking Star: Viking Farewell Reception - Viking Star Choir being introduced.
MT 9:13 PM Viking Star: Viking Farewell Reception - Viking Star Choir opening number.
MT 9:14 PM Viking Star: Viking Farewell Reception - Viking Star Choir opening number.
MT 9:15 PM Viking Star: Viking Farewell Reception - Viking Star Choir with another of MT's photos on screen.
MT 9:15 PM Viking Star: Viking Farewell Reception - Viking Star Choir with same two of MT's photos on screen we had seen during the practice.
MT 9:25 PM Viking Star: Viking Farewell Reception - Kate introducing many members of housekeeping staff, waiters, and cooks.
MT 9:26 PM Viking Star: Viking Farewell Reception - Kate introducing Senior Staff members, up front.
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