I had not seen a cruise ship appreciate it: all pared-back pale wood, glacial ice blues, and rugs that look like reindeer pelts. Thanks for visiting the land of Viking Cruises – or as Michelle Black, Viking's md for New zealand and australia, tells me, “You might state that Viking could be the un-cruise cruise.” I completely agree.
I'm onboard the Viking Sun, that could carry around 930 passengers and was built by Fincantieri shipyards in Ancona, Italy, in 2022. The interiors certainly embrace the on-trend Scandi design look – which makes sense, because the Scandinavian countries are Viking's homeland (the founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen, was born in Norway). These northern lands boast lakes and forests, fjords and glaciers – along with the ethereal Northern Lights – and also the colours and textures of the rare and exceptional landscape are very well reflected inside the ship's design. The cool, sleek look provides a sense of calm as we sail within the port of Geelong, at risk of Adelaide, and also the ship never feels jam-packed with guests – due to a range of roomy public spaces and multiple dining options.
“Viking doesn't try to be everything to all people,” says Black. “We're known as 'the thinking person's cruise' because we offer an experience that is culturally enriching, carefully curated and focuses on the destination.”
Itineraries are developed with the curious, experienced traveller in your head – so when onboard, everything from the Viking ships remains designed to enhance and enrich the travel experience. Wood and stone are purchased alive around the Viking ocean ships, and the Scandinavian landscape is viewed within sculpture and art – including birch tree sculptures and wall murals depicting lush forest scenes. The minimalistic design is echoed through the public spaces, that are furnished with natural wood, limestone, leather and granite to assist create a truly Nordic feel.
“Each and each element of the form onboard Viking's ships continues to be carefully chosen to mirror our Nordic heritage – including the vast original art collections on each ship,” Black says. “Throughout our ships, you'll find clean lines, colourful woven textiles, and lightweight woods that evoke the Viking link with natural world. Most are surprised at how little like a cruiseship the interiors seem.” (This is often because the individual who designed the Viking ship interiors is really a hotel designer.)
“Guests tell us that they like the fact that our style of cruising and interior decoration is unpretentious,” says Black – something I'm able to personally verify.
Hygge
Hygge – the Scandinavian art of finding warm, cosy contentment in appreciating the straightforward matters in everyday life and just enjoying each other's company – appears like a simple concept to incorporate into everyday living. Which is absolutely alive and well aboard Viking Sun.
I ask Black where on the ship sherrrd prefer to just sit and take the time to watch the planet glide by. “That's a tough question to resolve,” she says. “I have two favourite places: The Living Room, and the Explorers' Lounge.” Upon exploring these spaces, I can tell the appeal. The Viking Bar in The Family room is gorgeous, having its wooden panelling in the type of Viking clinker-built boats. Nevertheless the Explorers' Lounge is really special. It's located directly over the bridge, for that best-uninterrupted ocean views in your home.
“It's a perfect spot for 'sail away' – to have a quiet drink with fellow guests plus a snack in the casual gourmet deli, Mamsen's,” Black says. “I recommend the waffles – they are able to come in gluten-free.
“Then take the sweeping staircase around Deck 8 and relax inside the lounge area having a book in the selection that's been carefully curated by Heywood Hill [bookshop] of Mayfair. Each book reflects the Explorers' Lounge theme, and there's a particular emphasis on the polar regions.”
Walls are adorned with images of explorers within the Heroic Chronilogical age of Antarctic Exploration – like the famed Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen. For all those by having an eye for detail, you'll also find lots of references to interstellar navigation through the lounge.
And on Viking Jupiter and Viking Orion, guests can enjoy the Explorers' Dome too – a planetarium that provides an incredibly realistic window into space and space exploration, with complimentary shows for those guests. “It's the greatest definition 7k [resolution] planetarium on earth,” Black says proudly. With out-of-this-world travel a typical on Viking, this fact doesn't surprise me whatsoever.
Viking Cruises
If you have never been in a Viking Cruise before, try the 'Viking Homelands' itinerary. It's a 15-day cruise that journeys through Scandinavia as well as the Baltic, hearing aid technology routes of the seafaring Vikings across eight different countries – including Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Russia, Poland and Germany. Plus, the voyage includes overnight calls in Stockholm, Bergen and St Petersburg.
