“Big?” says one of my companions, more au fait than I am with large cruise ships. “This is just a baby, I promise you.” I don’t argue. But all things are relative, and to me – as we clamber back up the companionway towards the smiling crew – the sleek, black hull of the Viking Neptune appears mountainous.
This is my first ocean cruise, and I embarked with some trepidation. A 47,842-tonne ship carrying over 930 passengers isn't the mode of travel I’d usually choose; my previous cruises have all been smaller expedition trips. But a cool, Nordic break from the summer’s sweltering heatwave held appeal. It was time to confront my prejudices.
