Day 16 Meet Christian & Daniel

Once again, the Viking staff turns our cruising experience into a memorable patchwork quilt — warm squares of kindness, skill, and small moments that stay with us long after the ship moves on.

Meet Christian:
A young man who has been with Viking for four seasons now. Newly married — just three months. He studied tourism in high school, loves traveling, and when he’s off-duty you’ll find him gaming, with Valorant being his favorite digital battleground. And most important of all: he already knows exactly what I want to drink. It’s the little gestures that make life on board feel like home.

Meet Daniel:
Daniel is the Maître d’ on the Rinda — the quiet conductor of the dining room. His mission is simple: everyone must be happy beyond expectations. And he has a superpower for seeing the smallest detail a staff member might miss. Married since 2013, father of a 10-year-old, and when he’s home he enjoys fishing. I asked if he had any stories. He smiled and said, “Many.”

Donna has her dietary concerns — she loves ice cream, cheese, and crème brûlée, but they don’t love her back. Each evening Daniel brings her the menu for the next day’s lunch and dinner. Together they walk through what she can have, what adjustments can be made, and what the kitchen can prepare with milk substitutes. I’ve noticed Daniel doing this for several passengers, each one essentially getting their own personal dietary coach. The level of care is remarkable.

A couple of days ago I spoke with Daniel and later with Sasha, the Head Chef, and asked if they could invent a lactose-free crème brûlée. They said they’d work on it. Last night Teo told Donna there was no special dessert available. (I knew what was coming.) She politely chose sorbet. A few minutes later Teo arrived with a custom crème brûlée made just for her by the pastry chef. The excitement at the table was over the top — Sasha came out smiling, Teo was laughing, a couple of dishes clattered somewhere behind us — all in pure, joyful celebration. They even made a couple of extra bowls for the next evenings.

I’ve also included photos of other Viking crew members — I apologize for not having their stories as well. There are far more good hearts on this ship than words I have space for.

And as this day settles into memory, I’m reminded once again that it’s not just the places we see, but the people who guide us through them. Christian, Daniel, and so many others on the Rinda have woven their kindness into our journey. One day we will forget the exact dates and times — but we won’t forget how we were treated, how we were welcomed, and how often they made us smile. This ship is filled with good souls, and we’re grateful to travel alongside them.

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