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Learn how Viking Oceans takes care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services. Want to learn more about Viking Oceans, the newest cruise line to sail the seven seas, then check out this photo gallery with images of their upcoming ships. Manaus is an incredible one-of-a-kind cosmopolitan city located in the middle of the rainforest with warm weather year-round. It’s the perfect cruise destination for exploring a unique part of the world.
Ships
The Inaugural Cruise (maiden voyage) was an 8-day Mediterranean cruise (itinerary April 4-12) from Istanbul to Venice. MV Viking Sea is a cruise ship built by Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri for Viking Ocean Cruises. It is the second ship to grace the name Viking Sea, the first being Viking Sky which was originally assigned this name. Viking Sea's two accessible cabins are found in this category. Breakfast options include hot/cold sandwiches, French toast, pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, fresh fruits. I have seasonal affective disorder (SAD) so we travel to get a few weeks in the sunshine each winter.
Destination-focused journeys on all seven continents
The ship’s atrium, the Living Room, has either a classical pianist or a string duo playing almost all day. Torshavn, the cozy club, and Explorers Lounge have shows each evening with more contemporary music. Whether it’s your cruise destination or a launching point, Vancouver is a beautiful destination in itself with a sophisticated downtown and lots of natural elements to explore. Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. Istanbul is a unique city that blends its two distinct influences – from its founding as the Christian capital of Constantinople to the Ottoman ruled Istanbul. Today you can discover both eras and the modern beauty in this thriving city.
Fellow Passengers
Standard Veranda cabins (categories V1 and V2) are all located on deck 3 and have no minibars. The cost of the cruise, considering the inclusions and amenities, is competitive in the cruise industry. With the cruise cost including full use of the spa, the entertainment, and wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, we felt that we got excellent value for our money. Purchasing the Silver Spirits beverage package for $25 per person per night affords the guest upgraded wines, beers, and unlimited cocktails and spirits. As this was our first Viking cruise, we decided to test the value of the package. We enjoyed the included wine and beer, but also ordered cocktails or an evening aperitif as we desired.
Amy’s dedication to sustainable travel practices, including efficient packing techniques, ensures that every adventure leaves a positive impact on both the environment and the traveler's well-being. Trust Amy to guide you towards meaningful and eco-friendly travel, making the most of your retirement years. As I don’t have the ability to precisely measure the environmental impact of the cruise line, I base my comments on what I encountered on the ship. It’s a quiet change from the other dining venues and has a lovely view. Yum! Dave gives a shout out to the gelato which he sampled daily for this complete review.
Deck A
There are three sections to the fitness center all with large windows to enjoy the view. The aerobic fitness area had many treadmills, several cycles, and a few elliptical machines. The next two rooms focused on weight training and stretching. Dr. Philip Price included a lot of depth to his talks (bringing back much of my long-forgotten biology knowledge) but he seasoned his talk with humor so everyone could enjoy. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
On June 25, the ship (yard/hull number 6245) was launched at Fincantieri's yard in Ancona Italy. The ceremony was attended by the godmother of the launching Karine Hagen (daughter of Torstein Hagen / Viking Cruises' founder, Chairman and CEO) and Stefano Stecconi (Ancona shipyard's Director). On March 24, 2016, the vessel was delivered to Viking Ocean by Fincantieri.
Its master bathroom includes double sinks and a large shower. The balcony features two cushioned wooden lounge chairs as well as a table with two chairs and a sofa. Bathrooms aren't large, but they pack a lot into the space, including sink, toilet and shower with a full shelf that runs the length of the stall. A lot of consideration clearly went into the bathrooms, which also include heated floors and mirrors that won't fog up when you take a steamy shower. The floors are a treat for middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom. Viking OCEAN's Explorer Suite bathrooms are among the best-rated at sea.
Viking Sea Cruise Destinations
Little touches like USB ports and outlets, blankets, heat lamps and bookmarks add to the delightful experience on Viking Sea. We’re in a mid-level cabin, Deluxe Veranda, which is narrow, but has a lot of storage and a roomy bathroom with a great shower. (Not always the case on cruise ships!) I haven’t seen the other category staterooms but know the next step up – Penthouse Veranda- offers a few more feet in width and a fridge stocked with wine, beer, etc. The Viking Sea has a full-service LivNordic spa, with all the treatments an exhausted traveler might desire.
But when the waitstaff came they were always friendly and courteous. One is included per port of call, and it is typically a more classic tour that covers major highlights and landmarks in a designation. Other, more exclusive experiences, like a tour to London’s most famous fish market, Billingsgate Fish Market, or an off-road 4x4 adventure in Seville, cost extra. Relax in Viking Oceans' onboard spa with a snow grotto and sauna, as well as the relaxing Wintergarden lounge. The walk-around Lanai/Promenade Deck fully encircles the boat (deck 2). The two-deck Explorer's Lounge has a huge bow-facing observation area which is a unique feature that lots of modern cruise vessels lack.
There are options to send out your laundry with a quick turnaround, but Viking is unique in providing free laundry facilities and detergent on each floor. The laundry room does gets crowded so plan on doing your wash in the off hours – during morning excursions, late at night or during dinner hours. We ordered from room service a few times, once for breakfast on our first sea day, and twice when our excursion got us back to the ship after the dining areas were closed. After a steamy excursion it was nice to put our feet up and enjoy a platter of cheese or a Caprese panini. One of the challenges of traveling anywhere is managing expectations. We have had great food on Windstar and read rave reviews of Viking’s food before the trip, so perhaps we came onboard with unrealistic expectations for a ship serving 930 passengers and 465 crew members.
THE 25 BEST Viking Ocean Cruises to Asia (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Viking Ocean Cruises to Asia (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 03:16:03 GMT [source]
Last but a far cry from least is a Viking Ocean Cruise highlight – the extraordinary spa with traditional Nordic elements like sauna, vitality pool, cold plunge tubs, and a Snow Grotto. Viking boasts a fleet of small, all-veranda, modern ocean ships. Each sister ship is engineered at a scale that allows direct access into most ports. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” the fleet features understated elegance and Scandinavian design.
The lounge area has a comfortable couch, coffee table, 2 easy chairs, 2 HDTVs (1 TV hanging across the bed, 1 TV for the seating area). Bonus amenities are early check-in on embarkation day (at 11 am), guaranteed dinner reservations (at the Chef's Table and Manfredi's specialty restaurants), complimentary laundry, dry-cleaning, pressing and a shoeshine. There are two wheelchair-accessible Mini-Suites offering roll-in shower and roll-out balcony. One of the biggest complaints cruise travelers have on mainstream ships is that they are "nickel-and-dimed" to death.
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