So it is day 6

Hard to believe we left 6 days ago. Maybe I should give my views on ship life. This ship is similar to other Viking River ships that navigate the rivers of Europe. It is small when compared to the big ships that may be going to Alaska etc. it holds 204 passengers with approximately 145 staff and crew. The staff is mostly Russian or Filipino. Predominantly Russian everyone speaks English although there can be some communication misunderstandings. Day 1 at breakfast Dan asked for Hot Chocolate and the response was with sugar or without?  We told Elvira it didn’t matter and she returned with a glass of “Coke”. She did not understand his request. I believe this is here first cruise.  The staff has a 7 month contract and the ship goes between Moscow and St Petersburg only. There are currently 5 Viking ships that were ported in Moscow each ship with the same itineraries just different start dates. They all prepare the same menus for lunch and dinner on the same rotation.  We have only been sailing for the past 24 hours since leaving Moscow and have not seen any other Viking ships with a reverse itinerary yet.

The passenger mix is definitely a little older than the ocean cruise but appears much younger than the trip in France to Normandy.   There are actually a lot of people that don’t have gray hair. We were at wine tasting with a 35 year old.  More active people but predominantly all Americans with a handful of British and Australians.  Everyone is very friendly so it is easy to meet people and just sit at a table with new people. There is only one time for lunch and dinner so everyone eats at the same time. Breakfast has extended hours and everyone just drifts in as they please. There is coffee machine with all types including expresso and hot chocolate next to fresh cookies or pastries 24 hours a day and a non dining room to have a lighter lunch or breakfast.  Needless to say self control and not overeating is a problem.

Food is terrific. There are always standards such as steak/fish in addition to reagional dishes.  Wine flows at all meals including champagne in the AM you just need to ask.   We have done only included tours in addition to the tour of the Kremlin.  There are no specialty restrauants to visit everyone eats in the main dining room

There have been daily lectures since we left Moscow on Russian history, Russian language or a discussion of the trip and the ports we will stop at in the future.   This trip has evening entertainment of a singer and piano accompaniment as well as special activities such as wine and vodka tasting, in addition to music trivia or an included  evening performance of local entertainment
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I will discuss more of our trip in the next few days,