Viking Venus at anchor off Tresco, Isles of Scilly

Itinerary
Saturday 5th June	-	Portsmouth, Hampshire
Sunday	-	at sea
Monday	-	Liverpool, Merseyside
Tuesday	-	Tresco, Scilly Isles
Wednesday	-	Falmouth, Cornwall
Thursday	-	Portland, Devon
Friday	-	at sea
Saturday 12th June	-	Portsmouth, Hampshire

While the 'Chairman's Inaugural Cruise' expected in January 2021 had been cancelled because of the continuing covid-19 crisis, we did manage to book one of the first special post-covid cruises arranged for British passengers only, when Viking Cruises recommenced limitied operations in late May 2021. Coincidentally, it would be on their latest ship, the brand new Viking Venus. We would also be joined by our friend Angie, who had been with us during our ill-fated trip to Norway in 2019.

Under the new temporary health protocols for cruising, we were required to be fully vaccinated; we would be covid-tested daily, maintain social distancing on board and be required to wear masks when moving around the ship but it would only be in 50% occupation. In fact, there were for this cruise just 404 passengers - on a ship designed for 960!

Living/Dining Area		Sheltered Balcony		The Bedroom		Bathroom/Shower

And in celebration of our return to cruising after a 16-month absence, we booked an Explorer Suite, one of the best suites on the ship!

The weather in Liverpool, Falmouth and Portland was not great but the undoubted highlight of this trip was our visit to Tresco in the Scilly Isles, where both the weather and the gardens of Tresco Abbey were truly spectacular!

Tendering Ashore in local boats		Tresco Abbey Gardens		Red Squirrel		Tresco Abbey Gardens

Cruise Mileage: 1,376 nautical miles
Total Mileage to date: 214,147 n miles