Viking Cruises
A well-designed premium ship that is ideal for stylish travelers
The Ship. Viking Sun is a very well-proportioned contemporary ship with a host of clean Scandinavian design elements. Step aboard, and it immediately feels homey – like a highly comfortable moving hotel. There are plenty of public areas and dining options, plus an abundance of glass walls that help connect you with the sea on every level.
The ship is powered by energy-efficient hybrid engines, solar panels, and equipment for minimizing air pollution. Viking Ocean Cruises focuses on enhancing the destination experience (rather than the ship being your only destination), and provides interactive touch-screen stations that provide a wealth of destination information. This ship provides an excellent base for the various destinations covered on Viking’s itineraries. The interior design is tasteful, and leaves an uncluttered impression, so you won’t find overly opulent surroundings – it’s more Hyatt (premium) than Four Seasons (luxe).
A walk-around promenade deck is on a lower deck (Deck 2), so it’s fairly well sheltered from any wind, and good for a stroll. Meanwhile, on the largest upper open deck, a sliding glass dome covers the main pool deck on the deck below, just forward of the main pool; aft of the pool is a spacious Wintergarden, with wood cladding around its support pillars. There’s also a large screen for poolside movies. A second pool (and adjacent hot tub) on the same deck, but at the aft of the ship, is an infinity pool that forms part of the Aquavit Terrace, an alfresco casual eatery with fine ocean views. Sunloungers have a retractable footrest, while the drinks tables are square with a thick wood top – both smart and practical.
Inside, the main focal point is a delightful, elegant, rectangular atrium lobby that is three decks high and features light woods and abundant glass that lets in plenty of natural light. There is an abundance of seating on all levels.
An Explorer’s Lounge spans two decks. It is a very comfortable observation lounge with great views, and incorporates a library, practical seating, and a deli counter called Viking Café. The upper level is reminiscent of the popular Polaris (observation) Lounge aboard the former Royal Viking Line ships; it features glass cabinets displaying items connected with exploration and discovery, and historic ship models.
Viking Ocean Cruises is expert at concentrating on destination-rich and immersive itineraries, and a program of shore excursions focused on cultural experiences.
Viking Sun is an almost all-inclusive ship; the fare includes ship-wide Wi-Fi, a shore excursion in each port of call, overnight stays in embarkation or disembarkation ports, and complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner.
Accommodation. There are five accommodation categories, but many different price grades, according to deck and location. It is comfortable and practical – perhaps a little too minimalist and not sumptuous enough for some – and typical of the efficient Scandinavian approach to design. All cabins/suites have a private balcony (Viking calls them ‘verandas’), a king-size bed, and a spacious shower enclosure (the suites have bathtubs), and all bathrooms have heated floors, which is a nice touch. If you like more space, it’s worth considering one of the Explorer Suites located at the very front or back of the ship – most have a wrap-around balcony.
The largest accommodation is a superb Owner’s Suite, which is conveniently positioned adjacent to the Explorer’s Lounge. It includes a master bedroom, lounge, dining area, walk-in closet, wet room, and private sauna.
Dining. There are several restaurants and eateries, all of which operate on an open-seating basis, so you can dine with whom you like, when you like, and all of which are included in the cruise price. Most venues also have an alfresco option (there is a great emphasis on dining in the fresh air).
The Dining Room (an easy name to remember) has a sliding glass wall that can open onto the wrap-around promenade deck aft, with a few tables for alfresco dining, weather permitting.
The cuisine is decidedly international and unfussy, and it includes ‘always available’ comfort classics. The focus is on regional and sustainably sourced ingredients.
Three alternative restaurants are located on the deck below the Dining Room. Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant features Italian cuisine with a focus on Tuscany; its decoration includes real accordions (the national instrument of Italy).
The Chef’s Table is for a really good food-and-wine-paired dining experience, while the Kitchen Table is an intimate venue for the chef’s selections at night; during the daytime the venue is used for cooking classes.
Viking Café is part of the Explorer’s Lounge, on its lower level. World Café (Lido Café) also has an outdoor area known as the Aquavit Terrace (a term borrowed from the sister company’s riverships).
Additionally, complimentary specialty coffees and teas are available around-the-clock, as is 24-hour room service, while an afternoon High Tea can be taken in The Wintergarden.
Entertainment. The 250-seat Sun Theater is a single-deck-height showlounge, designed more for cabaret acts, recitals, and lectures than production shows. This is because most of the experience aboard this ship involves the destinations (including overnight visits in some), so there’s little need for entertainment on a grand scale.
Spa/Fitness. The Spa is expansive and beautifully designed. Located on the lowest passenger deck, it includes a beauty salon, workout center, ‘snow’ room, and a salt-water thermal pool (with swim-against-the-flow feature), in a delightfully relaxing backdrop that includes glass-fronted fireplaces. Separate areas for men and women include a sauna, plunge bath, changing area, cupboards for clothes, and relaxation space. Operated by LivNordic, the whole spa area is precisely that – Nordic – and elegant, with well-trained staff, who refreshingly don’t push for sales of expensive bodycare products.