What’s so special about Viking Ocean Cruises that it’s consistently celebrated as the best medium-sized cruise line by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure?
Is it the all-veranda staterooms? The inspiring TED talks? The thermal spa’s snow grotto?
We’ve sailed on three of Viking’s ocean ships so far.
From our Viking Star Baltic cruise to our Caribbean voyage on the Viking Sea, and most recently, cruising Western Europe in November on the Viking Saturn, we’ve discovered it’s not just one thing. It’s a seamless blend of thoughtful touches that make these cruises some of the most delightful you can experience.
So writing this Viking Ocean Cruises review has been very easy!
Of course, nothing is 100% perfect, so we also share a few niggles in the nitty-gritty below.
Why we love Viking Ocean Cruises: A quick look
From the moment you’re handed a welcome glass of bubbly upon boarding, Viking Ocean Cruises is all about making ocean travel feel effortless and elegant.
We speak from experience, having sailed on over 60 cruises now – ranging from Caribbean sailing adventures with Star Clippers and a charming Scenic river cruise in France to ultra-luxury cruises like the 6-star Seabourn cruise line.
Viking Cruises initially built its reputation on river cruises, becoming the world’s largest river cruise line, before expanding into ocean cruising.
It now has 10 nearly identical 465-cabin ocean-going ships, with two more slightly larger ships set to launch in December, 2024 and 2025 – and they’ve perfected their ocean cruise formula.
The Viking magic?
No kids, no casinos, no hidden fees – just pure excellence.
The ships are light-filled, spacious and beautifully designed in a sleek Scandinavian style. And their all-inclusive fares cover pretty well everything, from all-balcony staterooms, wine and beer at meals, all specialty dining and free Wi-Fi, right down to a complimentary shore excursion in every port.
From Alaska to Australia, Scandinavia to Southeast Asia, their itineraries are destination-focused – and the service is top-notch too.
Contents: Review of Viking Ocean Cruises
Spacious design and Scandivanian décor
Viking’s ocean fleet
The ocean fleet includes:
- Viking Star – 2015
- Viking Sea – 2016
- Viking Sky – 2017
- Viking Orion – 2018
- Viking Jupiter – 2019
- Viking Venus – 2021
- Viking Mars – 2022
- Viking Neptune – 2022
- Viking Saturn – 2023
- Viking Vela – expected December, 2024 (with 490 staterooms)
- Viking Vesta – expected July, 2025 (with 490 staterooms)
There’s also the Viking Yi Dun, which operates in China for the Asian market.
Each of the current 10 ships is virtually the same, except that both Orion and Jupiter boast a high-tech, 26-seat planetarium called the Explorer’s Dome.
Cruise Critic classifies Viking’s 930-passenger vessels as small ships, but we’d place them in the mid-size category, hitting the sweet spot for size and amenities.
They’re not small like Windstar’s intimate ships we’ve sailed on (carrying from 148 to 342 passengers). But they’re not as large as, say, Holland America’s Rotterdam (which holds almost 2,700 guests) and much bigger cruise ships, some of which can accommodate more than 5,000 passengers.
Perks and freebies
The standout included perks are one of the first differences you notice that sets Viking Ocean Cruises apart from similarly-priced ocean lines.
Its chairman, Torstein Hagen, promised no “nickel-and-diming.” He delivers with a generous list of freebies (that most other cruises charge extra for):
- Complimentary shore excursion in every port
- Unlimited free WiFi
- Complimentary house wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner (see our guide on Viking’s bar menus and Silver Spirits package)
- No corkage fees for outside wine brought onboard (which is permitted)
- Complimentary cappuccinos and other espresso coffees
- Free 24-hour room service (also with complimentary wine and beer during lunch and dinner meal times)
- No extra charge for specialty restaurants
- Free mini-bar in your stateroom
- Plush robes and slippers for use onboard
- Flask of fresh drinking water in your stateroom (refilled daily) plus bottled water to take with you when you leave the ship
- No charge to use the Nordic Spa
- Free use of the self-service laundries on every deck (including detergent)
The only real extra? Ship gratuities, at $17 USD per guest per night.
Spacious design and Scandinavian décor
Lots of space
We particularly love how much space there is on Viking Ocean Cruises’ ships.
They have a very high passenger space ratio. Anything over 51 is considered “very spacious” and the number is 51.5 for Viking.
(Many Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean and NCL cruise ships have a passenger space ratio in the 30s – and so they can feel crowded in comparison.)
Sleek design
Viking’s ships reflect the clean Scandinavian aesthetic favored by Hagen, their Norwegian founder.
Everything is serene and uncluttered.
Huge windows bring in the sunshine, which bounces off white walls and pale timber floors. The interiors are so bathed in natural light, you almost need to put your Ray-Bans on!
In the beautiful two-story Explorer’s Lounge at the bow of each ship, reindeer pelts are draped over comfy couches. Leather footstools invite you to put your feet up.
Staircase railings along with stateroom cupboard and drawer handles are wrapped in leather.
Modernist paintings by Edvard Munch and other Norwegian artists adorn the walls. (You can download a Viking Art Guide app for a narrated tour.)
And in the Wintergarden, where afternoon tea is served, sculpted blond wood “trees” reach up to a glass ceiling.
There’s even a display of museum-quality helmets and other Viking exhibits to add to the sense of place.
Staterooms and suites
All Viking Ocean Cruises cabins
Hailing from a cold country, Hagen is probably also the man to thank for the heated bathroom floors in all Viking Cruises staterooms and suites.
It was a treat to have warm toes after stepping out of our glass shower – especially on our first colder, Northern Europe cruise on the Viking Star. And let’s not forget the luxurious Freyja toiletries, an indulgent bonus.
All staterooms also have private balconies with glass railings – no more balcony envy! Everyone can relish the pleasure of sipping early morning coffee on their own balcony as the ship sails into port.
The pop-up make-up mirror is quite nifty too. The desk lid opens up to reveal a backlit mirror and a leather-lined drawer with boxes for jewelry and other small items. (We prefer a magnifying make-up mirror, however, so on our most recent cruise, our stewardess delivered one to us promptly on request.)
You’ll also find plenty of universal outlets for charging your tech gear and plugging in a hair curler by your bedside tables and elsewhere, along with ample storage.
We definitely give high marks to the design of the cabin space!
Our only suggestion (if anyone was to ask) would be to put some hooks on the walls for easy access to jackets, hats, bags and the like.
Pro tip: Ask for extra hangers, as the closet usually comes with only 12 or so (just a touch too few, we found, especially for our first cruise on the Viking Star, which was two weeks long).
What are the best cabins on Viking Ocean Cruises?
Veranda and Deluxe Veranda staterooms
These are the “standard” cabins. The interiors are 224 square feet in size, with an additional 46 square foot balcony. (We’ve always stayed in a Deluxe Veranda cabin.)
There’s not much difference between the two, though.
Deluxe Verandas have an additional Nespresso machine. And you can reserve your shore excursions and specialty dining times online earlier with a Deluxe Veranda booking than with a Veranda booking.
Penthouse Veranda staterooms
For the value, the better upgrade is probably the Penthouse Veranda staterooms.
Measuring 338 square feet, they’re bigger than the Veranda and Deluxe Veranda staterooms. So they have a larger seating area, more drawers and a more spacious bathroom, with a slightly larger shower. The balcony is also slightly bigger (48 square feet).
As well, you’ll discover a welcome bottle of champagne in these staterooms, and your mini-bar is stocked with alcoholic beverages, replenished daily (not just soft drinks, which is what you get in the Veranda and Deluxe Veranda cabins).
If you fancy a gin and tonic before dinner, you might particularly enjoy the inclusion of the mini bottles of spirits, which you can swap out for your favorites (scotch, beer, vodka, etc.). It’s a handy perk, especially if you’re not planning on buying Viking’s Silver Spirits Package.
(In case you missed it, here’s our guide again on Viking’s drinks prices and package with more details.)
The Penthouse Verandas come with higher priority restaurant and shore excursion reservations and earlier stateroom access too.
Suites
There also 47 suites on every Viking Ocean ship for those who wish to splurge:
- Penthouse Junior Suite – 405 square feet (including balcony), offering a separate sitting area with a second TV and complimentary laundry service
- Explorer Suite – 757 to 1,163 square feet (a two-room suite with a much larger balcony), offering a bigger bathroom with two vanities
- Owner’s Suite – 1,448 square feet (including an expansive balcony), offering a separate dining area for six, a private library and wine collection, a boardroom with a fireplace and more
Suite guests can book their preferred shore excursions and specialty restaurant reservations sooner than other guests and are treated to some other small perks too.
Are there any particular Viking Ocean cabins to avoid?
Honestly, not really. With every stateroom and suite boasting a balcony and thoughtful design, it’s not necessary to steer clear of certain ones.
Of course, there’s the usual advice… If you’re prone to seasickness and embarking on an itinerary in potentially rough waters – like a Northern Europe cruise or a Transatlantic crossing – you may want to opt for a mid-ship cabin on a lower deck. These tend to feel the least motion, making your cruise even more comfortable.
Otherwise, pick the stateroom or suite that suits your budget and preference.
Dining on Viking Ocean Cruises
We’ve written a whole guide on the food and restaurants on Viking’s ocean ships. (Hop on over there for all the delicious details.) In the meantime, here’s what you can expect.
The main dining room, aptly named “The Restaurant,” features flexible seating, daily specials and a regional à la carte”Destination Menu” showcasing locally sourced ingredients.
For something quick, the World Café buffet provides a variety of international dishes, while Mamsen’s serves Norwegian bites like gravlax and made-to-order waffles.
Specialty dining shines at two restaurants.
We especially love the Italian-inspired Manfredi’s for its fresh pasta and crispy calamari (and vintage black-and-white photos adorning the walls)
And the Chef’s Table offers innovative ever-changing five-course tasting menus of different countries’ cuisines.
Just remember to book reservations early – prime slots fill up fast!
Complimentary house wine and beer flows generously at meals.
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Make like a Norwegian in the Nordic spa
Other Nordic influences, like the tradition of alternating hot and cold water therapies, can be found in the co-ed thermal spa.
We’re used to ships where you have to pay to use the spa pools and sauna. (The Aqua Therapy Center on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 costs $59 for two hours.)
So on our first Viking cruise, it took us a while to figure out that the Viking Star spa is free (except for massages and spa treatments, of course).
“Where are your rubber slippers?” asked a fellow guest when we gingerly padded barefoot into the spa.
Oh, the spa robes, slippers and lockers are also free?
By this time, we were starting to appreciate the “no nickel-and-diming” philosophy onboard.
So we tried out the warm, swim-against-the-current pool (with underwater massage roller beds), heated stone loungers, sauna, steam room and hot whirlpools.
And we shivered under the cold-dunk shower and in the “snow grotto” (an ice-cold, blue-lit glass room with real snow).
Hitting the Nordic Spa then became our much-anticipated ritual before dinner on that voyage!
But, alas, we never did see the real snowflakes falling in the snow grotto that we’d read about.
Two beautiful pools
The inviting pool areas also lured us in on all three of our cruises.
With a retractable roof, the large mid-ship pool deck was built for comfort whether sailing in cooler climes or hotter destinations.
Around the main pool, cushioned seating areas and teak loungers with soft blankets that face the windows are popular spots to curl up with a good book or nap.
We lucked out with unexpectedly warm weather on our September cruise on the Viking Star, and the pool roof was open much of the time.
We even got to splash around in the second glass infinity pool, suspended at the stern’s edge – it felt like we could swim right off into the sea.
There’s a hot tub by the aft pool as well.
Walking on the promenade deck
Like many guests, one of our favorite ways to keep reasonably fit on a cruise is to walk around the deck when at sea.
Not all cruise ships have a full circle walking deck.
But all Viking Ocean ships are designed with an outdoor Promenade Deck. You can walk all the way around the ship – four laps equal a mile.
A “thinking man’s cruise”
Another thing we’ve read in Viking cruise reviews is that Hagen wanted to make the Viking experience a “thinking man’s cruise.”
And sure enough, oodles of interesting travel-related books were scattered about in lounges throughout the three ships we sailed on.
Two to three enrichment lectures and port talks are also given in the theater each day.
In fact, on our Viking Star cruise, we had five guest lecturers.
They included a polar oceanographer, a Fulbright scholar/law professor and a BBC television journalist. Their talks on NATO and Russia in the Baltic, as well as the EU’s refugee migration policy, were thought-provoking, to say the least.
Recorded TED talks also cover a variety of stimulating topics.
Guest mix
Viking Ocean Cruises’ ships are exclusively adults-only, welcoming passengers aged 18 and up.
This creates a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of family-oriented ships. It’s no surprise that Viking is considered one of the top cruise lines for adults.
The typical demographic onboard?
Most guests are American, over age 60, retired and well-traveled. Many are loyal repeat cruisers.
So what don’t Viking Ocean Cruise ships have?
There’s no casino. Hagen once said Viking passengers would “rather have a free laundry.” And, indeed, there’s a self-serve laundry (popular) on every deck.
(Speaking of laundry, the self-service machines were out of order when we boarded the Viking Saturn – so our stewardess, who spotted us hauling a hefty bag to the laundry room, graciously offered to have it done by the ship’s laundry team at no charge. How’s that for service!)
There’s also no hard (or soft) selling of spa products or even liquor. On our first cruise, paying for “premium wines” almost seemed extravagant as our waiters kept pouring complimentary Italian, French and German selections, which were all very good!
Viking Ocean Cruises itineraries
No matter how attractive a ship is, though, it’s the destinations that matter most to us. Viking scores high in this department.
The cruise line specializes in two-week Baltic and Scandinavian cruises – and their Viking Homelands cruise (which we experienced on the Viking Star) is their flagship journey.
But their itineraries span the glob, from “quiet season Mediterranean” escapes and sun-soaked Caribbean cruises to voyages in Australia and Asia.
They tend to be destination-focused, so you don’t get many days at sea.
During our two-week Viking Star cruise, we were in port every day, except one.
Similarly, on our recent one-week Viking Saturn cruise from Rome (our favorite Italian city!) to Barcelona, we enjoyed full days in port and destination touring from morning to night, every single day. (We confess, we were a little worn out by the end and joked that we needed a vacation to recover!)
Non-stop itineraries like this are unusual, as most ocean cruises typically include sea days, allowing for onboard relaxation. But Viking’s approach is a great way to squeeze the most out of your trip!
Pro tip: Want the best of river and ocean cruising? You can enjoy both in one seamless trip. For example, you can pair a Northern Europe ocean voyage with a Rhine river cruise – Viking’s river and ocean combination cruises make it effortless.
What are the shore excursions like?
Complimentary excursions
In each port, passengers, divided into smaller groups, are treated to a complimentary shore excursion.
For example, in Stockholm on our Viking Star cruise, we walked the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan (the 13th-century Old Town) on a guided walking tour.
And in Warnemunde, the free shore excursion was a chartered train ride to Berlin for a day.
Once in the city, we were treated to a panoramic bus tour of the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and other main Berlin sights. This was followed by several hours of on-your-own exploration before the train ride (with free German wines) back to the ship.
Optional paid tours
As well as the included tours, Viking offers optional excursions on each cruise, for which there’s an extra charge.
These focus on deeper, more immersive experiences. Depending on the cruise, they range from small boat tours and museum visits to hikes, wine tastings and concerts.
On the Viking Saturn, for example, we opted for a fantastic small group 10-hour tour in Florence.
With only about 12 guests, it included mini-van transfers from the port of Livorno, a guided tour of the Pitti Palace (and its stunning Renaissance art and sculptures), lunch at an authentic Italian restaurant, a guided walk of Florence’s main sights and free time on our own for shopping.
But we found less value in some paid tours that simply provided transportation to a destination, like Lucca in Tuscany, leaving us free time to explore on our own.
Mind you, we’re the kind of travelers who prefer guided tours of museums or monuments over casually wandering shopping streets – though George found some of the shopping irresistible, more like a treasure hunt!
More information and to book
See Viking Cruises’ website. You can also find some great Viking cruise deals on Expedia.
That wraps up our Viking Ocean Cruises review!
Since the Viking Star made its debut as the “world’s best new cruise ship,” word has gotten out.
Viking’s ocean cruises sell quickly, drawing both first-timers curious to see what all the buzz is about and loyal repeat cruisers who keep coming back for more.
We’re clearly fans – three cruises and counting! With the brand’s nearly all-inclusive pricing, spacious Scandinavian design, all-suite (all-balcony) accommodations, great food and destination-rich itineraries, it’s easy to see why.
Indeed, we can’t imagine that a Viking Ocean cruise wouldn’t suit you too.
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More cruising inspiration!
Seabourn: What’s luxury like on Seabourn Cruises? Find out in our Seabourn review.
Ponant Cruises: Ooh la la! We’re going French on Ponant Cruises!
Scenic: Discover the riches of Normandy on a deluxe Seine River cruise with Scenic. See our Scenic Cruises review.
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)
Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.
eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
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Photo credits: 1, 3 to 5, 7 to 10, 14, 19 to 22, 27 to 29 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | Remaining photos Viking Ocean Cruises.
While we cruised on the ships as media guests, this cruise review is completely our own, and the cruise line had no influence over it. (We are always free to express our own views, warts and all.)
About the authors
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!
Mark Craven
Sunday 6th of November 2022
Can't argue with this review!
I love the hot pool in the spa. Used it almost daily on 2 world cruises. Snow grotto and steam room, too.
Food is great and so are the personal choices of in-room premium liquors and beer/wine.
Have a 3rd world cruise coming in 2024, too. We love Viking.
Janice and George
Sunday 6th of November 2022
Ahhh, a world cruise! Fun to look forward to!
Mike S.
Thursday 3rd of November 2022
You cannot go wrong with any Viking ship and/or Viking cruise. Been on three now.
Janice and George
Thursday 3rd of November 2022
Agree :-)
Adrien
Tuesday 30th of August 2022
Just an FYI, the age limit is 18 years old.
We're leaving on Viking Venus in 36 days for 15 days on the Trade Routes of the Middle Ages. First time on a Viking ocean cruise, but have been on many River cruises.
I highly recommend Viking!!!!
Janice and George
Tuesday 30th of August 2022
As a repeat Viking river cruiser, it sounds like you didn't need any convincing to go on your first ocean cruise with Viking :-).
Enjoy your cruise!
John and Ellen
Sunday 22nd of September 2019
We are taking our second cruise in February to the Caribbean and can’t wait to get back on the ship. Our first cruise was last year the Italian Sojourn trip, and we will be on the same ship! Loved everything about it especially the Nordic Spa and restaurants were fabulous. :-)
Janice and George
Sunday 22nd of September 2019
February is a great time for a Caribbean cruise! We recently sailed on the Viking Sea in the Caribbean (from New York to San Juan, Puerto Rico). You can read about what it’s like in the Caribbean with Viking Ocean Cruises in our post: Viking Sea Review: Our Adults-Only Caribbean Cruise. Have fun!
liisa tynkkynen
Tuesday 28th of May 2019
Very Nice Blog. But FYI - Helsinki is in Finland, the happiest country in the world they say, not in Norway :-)
Janice and George
Tuesday 28th of May 2019
Of course! What a blooper! Thanks for catching this. We've just edited the content to show Helsinki in the right country, where it properly belongs :-). And thanks also for the kind comment about our blog :-).