This cruise took us from Buenos Aires around Cape Horn to Valaparaíso, leaving the better scenery in Chile to the second week. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get ashore in the Falklands due to poor sea conditions (meaning we had four consecutive sea days and a night in Ushuaia) but had been forewarned that this is common.

Viking has a loyal following and most people we talked to had been on a previous ocean or river cruise with the company. Some were more used to larger ships such as Holland America’s or, like us, to smaller ones such as Silversea’s. As one said, Viking doesn’t over-promise, and mostly delivers what it advertises very well.

There’s little not to like about Viking Jupiter - a beautiful, clean, almost new ship. In contrast to the glitz of many lines, Viking’s understated Nordic style grows on you, with shades of beige, brown and blue – and lots of pale wood / wood-effect surfaces. The adults-only refinement is reflected in piped classical music instead of annoying announcements, with relaxing live soloists in the bars; there’s even birdsong in the restrooms. We loved the atrium, reminiscent of the lobby of a five-star hotel, surrounded over three decks by numerous quiet corners to read, chat or do jigsaws among the hundreds of books. Read more