- Viking Cruises Sponsors The Vikings Exhibition
- AmaWaterways Debuts New Ship
- Danube Cruise with Airfare
- Viking River Cruises Expands
- Tauck is Upgrading Its Ships
- Emerald Waterways Adds 2 New Ships
- Best River Cruises by USA Today
- Uniworld Launches Two Themed Cruises
- Crystal Cruises’ New Itineraries
- Uniworld Launches Virtual Reality App
Viking Ocean Cruises’ Star Sets Sail
Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Star Makes Maiden Voyage
The biggest cruise news this year is the launch of Viking Ocean Cruises. Viking decided to expand from just sailing rivers to plying the ocean waters. And Viking Ocean Cruises has made a huge splash, becoming the travel industry’s first entirely new cruise line in a decade.
Today the company announced its first ship, Viking Star, has embarked on her maiden voyage from Istanbul to Venice.
From Venice, Viking Star will make her way through the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic on her way to be officially christened in Bergen on May 17 .
Two sister ships, Viking Sky and Viking Sea, are on order.
“We have always believed that cruising should be about connecting you to your destination – not just taking you to places on a map,”said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises.
“In the race to build bigger ships, many cruise lines have lost sight of the destinations to which they sail.
“With our new ocean cruises, we have created a new kind of vessel that is smaller in size and smarter in design, offering an alternative to today’s mega liners.
“Along with our privileged-access excursions and onboard enrichment, we have made the destination the true focus of our new ocean cruises.”
The Viking Star
I wrote about the ship about two weeks ago. Today Viking Ocean Cruises released a nearly identical press release. (Such is the way of public relations). If you missed my article early this month, here’s a basic recap.
Classified by Cruise Critic as a “small ship,” Viking Star accommodates 930 passengers in 465 staterooms – each with its own veranda.
Light-filled with modern Scandinavian décor, Viking Star was designed by experienced nautical architects and engineers, including the same interior design team responsible for the award-winning fleet of Viking Longships.
The ship boasts a glass-backed infinity pool that offers unobstructed views. There are more options for al fresco dining than any other vessel in its class. Huge windows and skylights blur the lines between inside and out. (Alcohol also blurs the lines between inside and out). And a wrap-around promenade deck nods to a bygone era of classic ocean liners.
Dining options onboard include the World Café, featuring global cuisine with live cooking and open kitchens. Mamsen’s features Norwegian deli-style fare, according to the recipes of Hagen’s mother, Ragnhild. I love that the mother of the Chairman of Viking Cruises has a restaurant onboard the ship. All aboard the MS Nepotism.
Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant embraces authentic Tuscan and Roman cuisine.
Passengers can take cooking classes in the Kitchen Table. At night it transforms into an interactive dinner experience with fellow guests and Viking’s esteemed chefs.
A Ship Designed for Destination Cruising
But as fantastic as the ship sounds, and I could spend all day on the ship, Viking Ocean Cruises embraces both the journey and the destination.
While every cruise fare includes a guided excursion in each port, Viking’s optional excursion program was designed to provide guests with enriching privileged-access experiences that go beyond the iconic and expected. Here are some highlights of Viking’s optional excursion program.
Private Visit to Hagia Sophia by Night, Istanbul, Turkey – Visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia for a private tour free of crowds. Drive over the Galata Bridge into the heart of Old Istanbul to walk the hallowed halls of Hagia Sophia and view its priceless treasures. After the visit, guests enjoy refreshments in the courtyard of the nearby Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamami, a charming Turkish bathhouse. (Not the same bathhouse where Bette Midler and Barry Manilow used to play).
Cooking with a Countess, Venice, Italy – Countessa Lelia Passi welcomes Viking guests to her home and teaches guests the secrets of Italian cooking. (Psst, not to be a wet blanket, but she does the same thing with Silverseas and Crystal Cruises).
Sail & Swim the French Riviera, Toulon, France – Guests have the opportunity to try their hand at sailing a luxury sailboat on the Bay of Toulon. Weather permitting, the yacht will anchor in one of many small coves, where guests can relax with a drink or snack, or perhaps a swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. (This sounds glorious).
A Normandy Countryside Cheese & Brandy Tasting – You had me at “cheese.” You kept me at “brandy.”
Kayak a Fjord – Paddle among the tranquility of Norway’s mighty fjords and impersonate the Muppets’ Swedish Chef, not realizing Sweden and Norway are two different countries.
At Home in Haugesund, Haugesund, Norway – Visit a traditional home for tea. Your hosts, a local garden designer and architect, have no idea you’re coming but welcome you anyway.
For more info go to www.vikingcruises.com
