Currently under construction in Italy, the Viking Star will be making her debut as the line’s first ocean going vessel. The Viking Star will accommodate approximately 930 passengers and will appeal to those looking for a small ship experience with fine dining and enrichment programs.
CABINS
Scheduled to debut this coming April, the ship has five different types of cabins, each with its own special charm. All cabins will have balconies.
The Veranda Staterooms are the most basic cabins and at 270 square feet are more than ample when compared to other lines.
The Deluxe Veranda Staterooms are the same size as the standard rooms but come with the added bonus of providing special reservations at several of the onboard restaurants. They also contain a complimentary iPad with Wi-Fi access as well as coffee and a mini bar.
Penthouse Veranda Suites are 338 square feet and have enormous bathrooms. Don’t worry about packing the shampoo because the suite also provides its guests with high end toiletries. In addition, the suites provide shoe shining, priority seating and reservations at both the speciality dining areas and also for shore excursions.
Penthouse Junior Suites are 405 square feet and consist of two separate rooms joined together with an oversized veranda. As they are at the front of the ship, they’re great for getting to popular areas such as the spa or Explorer’s Lounge.
Finally, the most deluxe staterooms are the Explorer Suites and the Owner’s Suite. The intricacies of the Owner’s Suite are secret for now. The Explorer Suites stretches out to over 1,163 square feet and allows the passengers to see the view from the ship’s bow from their balcony.
DINING
The main restaurant on the ship is simply called “The Restaurant”. It features an American based cuisine mixed in with specialties from the ports visited. For example, if the ship makes port in Venice, expect to see a Venetian risotto served. Other dining spots include the Viking Deli offering Scandinavian fare, the Italian Grill and the Chef’s Table which will offer fine dining chef specialties.
ACTIVITIES
The Viking Star will offer a superb range of activities. Heading to the Explorers’ Lounge is a great way to meet new people and share experiences with fellow passengers. There are several cultural enrichment programmes available onboard that range from art to music, with the subject structure based around the ports visited. These are hosted by history experts and celebrities.
Two movie theatres are onboard and will offer an interesting variety of films, thus making it a perfect outing for a rainy or quiet afternoon. There are also two swimming pools; the glass covered Infinity Pool and the Main Pool, which has regular “movies under the stars” sessions.
Finish off a day at sea with a spa session. There are endless menus of treatments that will relax the body and the mind. Retreat to the Wintergarden for a peaceful atmosphere with a cup of tea and meditate under its simple yet elegant decor.
ITINERARIES
The Viking Star is scheduled during her maiden season for 8 day and more sailings around Europe’s Baltic and fjords and also the Western Mediterranean. Viking will offer a complementary excursion for every port.
RECENT EVENTS
Recently, this famous river cruise line had the Viking Star testing the waters close to the Fincantieri shipyard near Venice, Italy. This event marked a major milestone and showed the cruising industry that Viking’s first ocean-going ship will be right on schedule.
“Following six months of nonstop construction since her float out, this was a major milestone for Viking Star, and we are proud to be another step closer to launch,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “Now we can focus on the finishing touches, and we look forward to welcoming guests on board in two months’ time.”
From all the reports, the Viking Star ship is sure to be the successful ‘newcomer’ to arrive on the seas this year.
Images courtesy of Viking Cruises
Written by Veronica Shine
