When I was told that I had earned the opportunity to experience a European Viking cruise I was beyond excited. Viking is synonymous with adults only small ship luxury cruising and it’s a product I’ve sold with confidence for many years so I had very high expectations. I’ve always loved cruising and will forever be an advocate for them. As a stress free stand alone holiday or as a relaxing way to get from A to B in the middle of a larger trip they are simply excellent value for money. When you consider that all of your accommodation, transportation, entertainment, meals and some drinks are included in one fare at the very minimum plus you get a glimpse of some wonderful destinations along the way you really can’t go wrong. This was my 8th cruising experience having done everything from a large ship cruise (3000 passengers) to a Liveaboard with only 24 guests and everything in between and although all very much have their place in the market for an adult only holiday in a destination such as Europe I am now firmly in the Luxury Small Ship camp. Vessels such as the Viking Saturn are able to dock in all the world’s greatest cities just like the big ships but their real super power is that they can also dock in small, seldom visited ports that are well out of reach for mega liners meaning you can get off the beaten path, see less touristy and more regional destinations and have a much more authentic holiday experience.
Viking is most notably known for river cruising having more than 80 vessels on rivers all over the world. We sailed on the new Viking Saturn, one of their 10 ocean ships. The fleet also now includes 2 expedition vessels to navigate the Arctic & Antarctica, definitely bucket list items for me that I hope to tick off one day in this lifetime!
The itinerary I was fortunate to experience was the “Iconic Western Mediterranean” from Rome to Barcelona via Tuscany & The French Riviera and it was such a lovely look at how well Viking operates and to personally experience their unique offering. Now knowing that every Viking ship is identical also means that I can offer my clients real firsthand knowledge and insights to help make their Viking experience as wonderful as mine.
The first thing that you notice as you step on board a Viking ship is the understated and muted, modern elegance that is typical of luxury Scandinavian design. There is no loud carpet or dazzling chandeliers, just clean lines, well thought out, congenial spaces & exceptional class & comfort.
Our accommodation for the week was a Deluxe Veranda suite, this is one of the lead in cabin types and at 270 Square feet including the private veranda, it’s not the largest stateroom I’ve cruised in however the layout was extremely functional, the quality in the details was evident and to say we were more than comfortable is an understatement. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate staying in this cabin type again, the full size bathroom and shower was a huge plus for me but for passengers wanting more cabin space there are a number of upgrades available including the Penthouse Veranda Stateroom, the Junior Suite, Explorer Suite all the way up to the Owners suite which we were fortunate to visit while onboard and I can confirm at 1320 square feet, it is huge and luxurious beyond measure!
The common spaces on board are abundant. Lounges, bars, cafes, libraries or the atrium with its clever design so that the roof and windows can be easily opened or closed to maximize the usage of the space with its pool, lounges & seating all year round and with only 930 passengers you can always find some company to enjoy a drink with or a quiet place to relax with a coffee & book.
Torshavn, the nightclub on board is a great place to carve up the dance floor to live music each night after dinner or you can flop with a nightcap in the Explorers Lounge or on the Aquavite Terrace on a warmer night. There is a theatre onboard where either nightly entertainment, destination performances or world class lectures on art, culture & history to compliment your onshore experiences take place. There is honestly something for everyone.
The dining onboard is all included and varied but no matter your choice you can be assured it will be fresh & delicious. There are 2 specialty restaurants, Manfredi’s with a classical Italian a la carte menu & The Chef’s Table, an Asian fusion 5 course set menu served with paired wines that changes every few days.
The World Cafe buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and The Restaurant which serves as the main dining room also has an ever changing, classic and destination focused a la Carte menu. After a morning of exploring ashore the Pool side grill is a great place to visit for a made to order burger & cocktail or you can relax at The Wintergarden cafe for high tea each afternoon and then if you’re still hungry you can always order room service to your cabin 24/7! I assure you, you can forget about the diet while onboard a Viking cruise!
One of the many reasons I recommend Viking to my clients is the “Inclusive Value” that they offer. A complimentary shore excursion in every port plus plenty more optional experiences to choose from to enhance your holiday should you want. Free WiFi onboard is included, along with Beer, wine & soft drink with lunch and dinner or you can upgrade to the Silver Spirits beverage package for a very reasonable cost should you choose to. Specialty coffees, teas & bottled water are available 24 hours a day and complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center is also included…the list just goes on and on! I have no doubt you could easily be satisfied with the included package or you can tailor it to suit your personal wants and needs, regardless, you are sure to love your Viking experience.
I also love that although Viking offers incredible service, absolute luxury and a real premium 5* product it is in no way stuffy or formal. By day it’s all about comfort for walking and exploring the destination on shore. By night there are no formal evenings so you can leave the ball gown and tux at home. Neat or elegent casual is all that is required in the speciality restaurants or dining room however if you prefer to just grab a burger or visit the buffet for dinner your day time attire is more than acceptable.
The absolute highlights for us were a few of the optional extra shore excursions that we added. Cooking in a Tuscan Castle, The Fiat 500 experience through Florence and the Motorbike and Sidecar experience in Provence, experiences that elevated an already wonderful itinerary to create a truly unforgettable journey.
I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity and to have shared it with such a fabulous group of travel proffesionals. My expectations were not only met but well and truly exceeded and I will not hesitate to continue to recommend Viking cruises to my clients and I very much look forward to sailing with them again one day soon.
wanderlust mum 