Having always viewed cruise ships with some cynicism, it was with a degree of trepidation that, as cruise virgins, I booked a Viking cruise in the Mediterranean for my wife and I.
The ship we chose, the Viking Star, accommodates 930 passengers in what the cruise line refers to as staterooms (not cabins). The Ancient Adriatic Treasures itinerary looked interesting and the inclusion of an excursion a day in the tariff was an attractive bonus.
First impressions on joining our ship in Italy was that it was big – really big. As you walk towards it, the vessel towers above and it can be a little intimidating.
Check in and luggage transfer, however, were done with typical Scandinavian efficiency and we were then free to explore the many facilities and services available.
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The staterooms were spacious and surprisingly well set out, with a usable (as opposed to decorative) veranda and plenty of cupboard and storage space. The heated bathroom floor was a nice little extra as well.
The three-storey atrium was a fairly impressive opener, as were the two pools on board: one with a retractable see-through ceiling and the other on the back deck with the mandatory spa pool attached.
There was no shortage of sun lounges and pool seating and, curiously, multiple guests who seemed to spend most of their cruise sleeping near the pool.
Food is a big part of cruising and Viking does it well. Multiple options are on offer (which means no queues), including casual poolside dining, cafes, buffets, an Italian restaurant, fine dining and room service.
Not to be outdone, beverage availability is also plentiful, with venues varying from cafes to bars and a nightclub. A drinks package may be purchased, but with quality complimentary drinks with lunch and dinner, it is better value to buy beverages outside those times if you want to really give it a nudge early or late. Given that it is a decent swim to the nearest land-based bar, the drink prices are quite reasonable. And always part of the dining and drinking attraction is the ever-changing views as the world glides by.
Taking a break from the bars and restaurants, the spa facilities on Viking are special. Massage, facials and a range of therapies, plus a hairdresser, are available. But I vote the main spa area best value on the ship for its free (and on most cruises, complimentary is an alien concept) steam room, snow grotto, large spa pool, high-pressure jet spa pool, dry saunas and cold plunge pools. We readily adopted the Scandinavian habit of heating up in the steam room, then cooling off in the snow grotto and repeating … finishing that off with a leisurely warm bubble spa for a refreshing experience.
Viking prides itself on the range of excursions on offer. Daily lectures on board by subject matter experts on the next day’s excursions are interesting and varied. Each port of call offers a free excursion and a range of other paid options. We took the complimentary ones, and they were great, with knowledgeable guides who offered extensive insight into the locale.
Getting hundreds of people off the ship each day for excursions is done with surprising ease – no mean feat considering the ambulatory challenges of some of the more mature guests. Another nice touch is the welcome back to the ship – often with music and a host of crew dancing and clapping passengers’ return.
Surprisingly, laundry facilities are available on each floor. Free washing machines and dryers are a nice change when, on many cruise lines, there isn’t much difference between the laundry charge and buying new clothes.
A comprehensive range of live music is on offer daily, including solo guitarists, classical duos, a pianist and a five-piece band. Some are mobile so the venues vary regularly, adding to the diversity. The music complements a range of other entertainment such as regular trivia nights, jewellery-making classes, whisky tasting, yoga and the plethora of guest lectures.
The crew members are unfailingly cheerful and more than happy to talk about the ship, destination, their cruising history or just generally chat. Some of them have spent many years travelling and are a font of knowledge on the itinerary stops and beyond.
As for the cruise itself, it ticks lots of boxes. Viking is a little different in that is an adults-only cruise line with no casinos – popular reasons for many people to book.
For someone with a somewhat cynical perception of cruising, I came away a convert.
Clearly, it’s a case of horses for courses but given the plethora of cruise options, there is definitely something for everyone.
*John Morris has retired to Buderim after many years as a resort general manager, but he still loves to indulge his love of travel.
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