Cruise Specialists Blog

Luxury Cruise News & Reviews

Blog Home / Ship Reviews

Viking Star Revealed, Our Firsthand Report

Ralph Grizzle

Nordic inspired. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Nordic inspired. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle

Viking Ocean Cruises invited a couple dozen travel writers, including myself, on a six-day preview sailing as Viking Star made her way to christening ceremonies in Bergen, Norway, on May 17.

Our group had time not only to explore the vessel but also to hear from Viking Ocean Cruises’ Chairman Torstein Hagen, who flew from his base in Basel, Switzerland, to spend a few hours with us.

At 72, the Norwegian-born founder of Viking River Cruises has launched an impressive ocean cruiser. The Viking Star is a gorgeous ship, highlighted by an understated Scandinavian elegance that celebrates the company’s Nordic heritage.

Moreover, the new Viking Ocean Cruises is offering an appealing product by serving up something different from what is currently offered on most ships.

In fact, during a presentation to the media, Hagen showed reporters slides that showed Viking Star priced at nearly 60 percent lower than other ships and itineraries in its competitive set, which consists primarily of the upper-premium cruise lines.

The Living Room. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
The Living Room. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle

Viking Star’s Inclusives

Having sailed on Viking Star for six days, and having experienced ships within its competitive set, I believe that Viking Star represents a breath of fresh air for cruisers looking for something new. The fact that so much is included will also come as welcome news to those who do not like being nickeled-and-dimed.

In addition to the inclusives previously mentioned, Viking Star features self-serve launderettes, where even the soap is dispensed at no charge. There are two specialty restaurants where you can dine at no charge, the Italian-inspired Manfredi’s and the wine-pairing venue known as The Chef’s Table. If you do want to dig into your pockets, for an extra $29.95 per person, per day, all alcohol is included, with the exception of premium spirits and wines.

However, seeing that beer and wine is served at lunch and dinner, you may not need the additional convenience of 24/7 booze.

The list of what Viking Star includes:

  • Complimentary transfers between airports and ship
  • Complimentary excursion in every port
  • Complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Complimentary specialty coffees and teas served 24 hours
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access (and it works well)
  • Complimentary self-service laundry
  • Complimentary 24-hour room service
  • Complimentary specialty restaurant reservations
  • Complimentary mini-bar (in all but Deluxe Veranda and Veranda staterooms)
Dinner at The Chef's Table. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Dinner at The Chef’s Table. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle

In addition to the specialty restaurants, there is the main restaurant on deck 2 and the World Cafe on deck 7. Both feature side doors that slide open for al fresco dining, an ingenious feature that I’ve not seen on any other ship. Both restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the World Cafe convenient for those who want to go casual (I had the best sushi I’ve ever eaten on a ship at the World Cafe).

Al fresco dining in the World Cafe. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Al fresco dining in the World Cafe. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle

For those who prefer to stay in, or dine on their balconies (all staterooms feature balconies on Viking Star), there’s 24/7 room service at no charge. Staterooms also feature complimentary mini-bars and some categories even include complimentary alcohol, all replenished daily.

Mamsen's deli. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Mamsen’s deli. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle

For snacks, there’s Mamsen’s deli, named for Hagen’s mother, and serving up such Nordic specialties as Scandinavian waffles topped with berries.

Norwegian waffles on Viking Star. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Norwegian waffles on Viking Star. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle

Nordic To The Core

Light-filled and featuring modern Scandinavian décor, Viking Star was designed by the same interior design team responsible for the Viking Longships’ fleet. There is a sense of continuity, in fact, for those who move from Viking on the rivers to Viking on the oceans. Some of the fabrics are the same on both vessels, as well as the same brand of main dining room plates, glassware and cutlery.

The Quietvox system used for shore excursions on the rivers is in staterooms on Viking Star. Also as on the Longships, Viking Star offers one complimentary shore excursion in each port of call; beer and wine are served free of charge during lunch and dinner; and WiFi, which has functioned well for me so far, costs nothing. I also appreciate that I do not have to log in and log off each time I want to use WiFi.

Viking Star atrium. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Viking Star atrium. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle

Viking Star’s Nordic aesthetic appealed to me. I appreciated the ship’s clean lines and use of light woods, as well as greenery and birch bark (though not real) throughout. I found Viking heritage, including exhibits in a museum-like corner of the ship, and in the stairwell landings, where tapestries depicted the Battle of Stamford Bridge, a bloody skirmish that symbolized the end of the Viking Age in 1066. In the two-deck Explorers’ Lounge (inspired by the Norwegian coastal cruisers operated by Hurtigruten), I admired décor themed around ancient Viking trade routes.

Aquavit Terrace. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
As on Viking’s Longships, Viking Star features an Aquavit Terrace. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle

My Penthouse Veranda Stateroom on the starboard side was spacious, measuring 270 square feet, with a king-sized bed, a living area with a long sofa, coffee table and chair, a desk that has ample room for a laptop and everything else I can put on it, a bathroom with a one-square meter shower (about 11 square feet) and a balcony large enough to enjoy with breakfast, or complimentary 24-hour room service. A nice touch: the desk lamp has five USB charging outlets at its base.

Penthouse Veranda Stateroom. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Penthouse Veranda Stateroom. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle

As on its river cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises’ is targeting the same group that it did for Viking River Cruises: 55-years-plus, English-speaking, well-educated, affluent, curious and interested in history. At 72, Hagen said he sees the target customer each morning when he looks into the mirror.

At 57, I do too, and when I envision myself on Viking Star with my families and loved ones, I like what I see. A lot.

Infinity pool. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Infinity pool. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Viking Star pool. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Viking Star pool. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle

When you are ready to learn more about this new style of ocean cruising our team is ready to help.

More from my site

  • Open For Bookings: Nearly All-Inclusive, Viking Ocean Cruises’ New Viking StarOpen For Bookings: Nearly All-Inclusive, Viking Ocean Cruises’ New Viking Star
  • Viking Cruises Announces New PCR Testing FacilityViking Cruises Announces New PCR Testing Facility
  • A Big Win For Viking Ocean CruisesA Big Win For Viking Ocean Cruises
  • Cruising with Viking Ocean: Conclusion of Our 32-Day Hosted French Polynesia VoyageCruising with Viking Ocean: Conclusion of Our 32-Day Hosted French Polynesia Voyage

Ship Reviews, Viking Cruise Reviews, Viking Ocean Cruise Reviews

SEARCH ARTICLES

Article Categories

  • Cruise Destinations
    • Africa Cruise Reviews
    • Alaska Cruise Reviews
    • Amazon Cruise Reviews
    • Antarctica Cruise Reviews
    • Arctic Cruise Reviews
    • Asia Cruise Reviews
    • Australia/New Zealand
    • Baltic Cruise Reviews
    • Canada/New England Cruise Reviews
    • Caribbean Cruise Reviews
    • Cuba Cruise Reviews
    • Europe Cruise Reviews
    • Galapagos Cruise Reviews
    • Grand Voyages
    • Hawaii Cruise Reviews
    • Iceland/Greenland
    • Mediterranean Cruise Reviews
    • Mexico Cruise Reviews
    • Panama Canal Cruise Reviews
    • Scandinavia and Northern Europe Cruise Reviews
    • South America Cruise Reviews
    • South Pacific Cruise Reviews
    • Transatlantic Cruise Reviews
    • World Cruise Reviews
  • Cruise FAQs
  • Cruise Lines
    • Abercrombie & Kent Reviews
    • AmaWaterways Cruise Reviews
    • American Cruise Line Reviews
    • American Queen Voyages Reviews
    • Aqua Expeditions Reviews
    • Atlas Ocean Voyages Reviews
    • Avalon Cruise Reviews
    • Azamara Cruise Reviews
    • Celebrity Cruise Reviews
    • Celebrity Galapagos Cruise Reviews
    • Cunard Cruise Reviews
    • Cunard World Cruise Reviews
    • Disney Cruise Reviews
    • Explora Journeys Cruise Reviews
    • Holland America Line Cruise Reviews
    • Holland America World Cruise Reviews
    • Hurtigruten Reviews
    • Lindblad/National Geographic Reviews
    • Norwegian Cruise Line Reviews
    • Oceania Cruise Reviews
    • Oceania World Cruise Reviews
    • Paul Gauguin Cruise Reviews
    • Ponant Cruise Reviews
    • Princess Cruise Reviews
    • Quark Expeditions Reviews
    • Regent Cruise Reviews
    • Regent Seven Seas Cruise
    • Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
    • Royal Caribbean Cruise Reviews
    • Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yacht Reviews
    • Scenic River Cruise Reviews
    • Seabourn Cruise Reviews
    • Seabourn Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea World Cruise Reviews
    • Star Clippers Cruise Reviews
    • Tauck Cruise and Tauck Land Tour Reviews
    • UnCruise Adventures Reviews
    • Uniworld River Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Ocean Cruise Reviews
    • Virgin Voyages
    • Windstar Cruise Reviews
    • Zegrahm Expeditions
  • Cruise News
  • Cruise Ports
  • Cruise Specialists Benefits
  • Expedition Cruises
  • Hosted Cruises
  • Ralph Grizzle
  • River Cruises
  • Ship Reviews
  • Solo Cruising
  • Tom Mullen
  • Tours, Trains & Resorts
    • Palace Resorts Reviews
    • Safari Reviews
    • Shore Excursions
    • Trains

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Maggie Blehert

Her ideal travel day: venturing to a new place, learning something interesting and sharing a smile.
View My Blog Posts

Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer
Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys.
View My Blog Posts

Ralph Grizzle

The Avid Cruiser. Well-traveled and insightful. Helping you make informed cruise decisions.
View My Blog Posts

FOLLOW US ON

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter