Viking Cruises is launching its new ocean product, Viking Ocean Cruises, setting sail with its first vessel, Viking Star, in May 2015.
Viking, which christened 10 new river ships in March and has 12 new river ships planned to launch in 2014, will be launching a second ocean vessel in 2016.
“It is our view that in the race to build bigger ships, many cruise lines have lost sight of the destinations to which they sail,” says chairman Torstein Hagen. “With our new ocean cruises, we are applying the same principles behind our award-winning river cruises to our itinerary and ship design; privileged-access excursions; and onboard experiences to make destinations the true focus.”
The 928-passenger, all-verandah Viking Star will sail in Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, giving passengers maximum time in port with late evenings and overnight stays. For example, the 15-day Viking Homelands itinerary will include overnights in Bergen, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; and St. Petersburg, Russia. Introductory 2-for-1 fares start at $4,999 pp with discounted air from $895 pp. Fares include beer and wine with lunch and dinner; WiFi; self-service laundry; and 24-hour room service.
On Viking Star, travelers can choose from five stateroom categories on the ship, all featuring verandahs, king-size beds, large showers and LCD TVs. Viking Star also features two pools (one of them being an infinity pool); The Spa with a sauna and “snow grotto” with falling snowflakes; a variety of restaurants serving global cuisine and regional specialties that incorporate local ingredients; an onboard cooking school; and venues including the Viking Piano Lounge, the Star Theater, and a 3-deck atrium.
For more information, visit vikingcruises.com/oceans.
