When planning a cruise holiday, once you've settled on an itinerary and a cruise line, choosing the right stateroom is an important decision - once you are onboard you are generally committed. To assist with this process for the popular Viking Ocean Cruises, we summarise the highlights and inclusions for each stateroom type.
About Viking Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises was one of the cruise lines we featured in our blog Reviewing the Luxury Cruise Lines of the Mediterranean. There are many noteworthy highlights of Viking, and we were fortunate enough to have the New Zealand Sales Manager for Viking present to the Fine Travel Team. One aspect that really impressed us was that Viking boldly tells guests what it is not, and these "exclusions" have resonated with Fine Travel clients:
- No children under 18
- No art auctions
- No inside staterooms
- No smoking
- No formal nights, butlers or white gloves
- No nickel and diming
The Scandinavian styling and onboard experience has made Viking an extremely popular cruise line in a very short space of time. The following video will give you an insight into the onboard styling, experience and atmosphere (before you reach for the volume - there's no sound with this clip).
Fine Travel works directly with Viking Cruises to arrange Ocean and Luxury cruises for our clients. This allows us to provide consistent prices and access special offers and inclusions Viking may have available.
Learn More About How to Choose Your Cruise Holiday
Don't the staterooms differ by ship?
This is a good question - and with any other cruise line you would be right. Viking Ocean cruises is a unique in that each ship is identical (the same applies to Viking's River Cruise ships). Each ship has 465 all veranda staterooms, so the observations in this guide therefore should apply to any of the Viking Ocean cruise ships.
It just comes down to price surely?
In many cases yes - the cost of the stateroom may dictate which one you choose. Sometimes though, understanding the inclusions and differences between staterooms may result in you seeing the price differently. Some of these inclusions may seem inconsequential, such as the time you board, or when you get access to your stateroom. Others may have a more significant impact, such as priority for booking onboard restaurants (such as the Chef's Table pictured above) and booking shore excursions.
You'll want to avoid spending your time onboard thinking: "Well if I knew that I would have paid extra for the next category up!" or hearing your fellow passengers talk about something they have received that you did not (such as the Veranda and Deluxe Veranda staterooms not including alcohol in the mini-bar).
A Disclaimer before we continue
The following comments are based on information provided to us by Viking and therefore are presented as a "best endeavours" guide for decision making. They are highlights of some key differences - each stateroom has more inclusions than we have listed. The inclusions can change at Viking's discretion and therefore we confirm the actual inclusions with Viking before you commit to your stateroom to avoid any disappointment.
Veranda
This is the lead in stateroom and the key features include:
- 11.00am embarkation
- 3pm Stateroom access
- Room size is 270 sq ft
- Private Veranda
- Complimentary 24-hour room service
- Private bathroom with glass walk-in shower
- Premium bath products
- Heated tile floor + self demisting mirrors
- Luxury robes and slippers,
- USB outlets
- Small bar fridge
- Bottled water replenished daily
- Telephone, safe, hairdryer, climate control
- Shore excursion reservations 60 days prior
- Book restaurant reservations onboard
Each subsequent stateroom type provides the equivalent or greater benefits (and we comment on the most relevant).
Deluxe Veranda
The Deluxe Veranda is the same size as the entry level Veranda stateroom, however the differences are around benefits such as accessing your stateroom, a timeframe of accessing shore excursions and guaranteed reservations at restaurants. As the picture demonstrates, this is largely a bedroom with a small seating area and balcony. In summary:
- 11.00am embarkation
- 2pm Stateroom access
- Room size is 270 sq ft
- 1 Guaranteed reservation at Manfridi’s
- 1 Guaranteed reservation at Chef’s Table (book 60 days prior to departure)
- Spa treatments bookable 60 days prior
- Shore excursion reservations 67 days prior
- In-suite binoculars
- In-suite coffee brewer
Penthouse Veranda
The Penthouse Veranda is a step up in size and inclusions. Notable benefits are an additional guaranteed reservation at Manfredi's and Chef's table and greater priority for booking shore excursions. In summary the benefits include:
- Room size is 338 Sq ft
- Priority room access at 1pm
- 2 Guaranteed reservations at Manfredi’s (70 days prior)
- 2 Guaranteed reservations at Chef’s Table (70 days prior)
- Mini-bar replenished daily now with alcoholic beverages
- Welcome bottle of Champagne
- Complimentary shoe shine service
- Complimentary pressing service
- Viking Travel Bag
- Shore Excursions at 77 days prior
Penthouse Junior Suite
From the Penthouse Junior Suite level and above, the stateroom size and configuration becomes the key focus. Although there are additional benefits, the Penthouse Junior Suite is the first stateroom that has a separate living and sleeping area. This is an important consideration for couples, especially on longer cruises, who might want the flexibility to keep different hours. This is also the first level of stateroom that includes complimentary dry cleaning and laundry.
Details include:
- Rooms size is 405 Sq ft
- Division between living and sleeping area
- Priority room access at 11:00
- Complimentary dry cleaning & laundry service
- 3 Guaranteed reservations at Manfredi’s
- 3 Guaranteed reservations at the Chef’s Table (80 days prior)
- Shore excursions from 87 days prior
Explorer's Suite
The Explorer's Suite gives guests that first sense of the home away from home - an experience more akin to going to a holiday, where you have a separate living and sleeping area, bathroom and wrap around verandahs. Key additional features include:
- Rooms size is 757-1163 Sq ft
- Separate living and sleeping areas, bath & wrap around verandahs
- Priority room access at 11:00
- Complimentary dry cleaning & laundry service
- 3 Guaranteed reservations at Manfredi’s
- 3 Guaranteed reservations at the Chef’s Table (90 days prior)
Owner's Suite
The Owner's Suite is a luxurious way to cruise with Viking Ocean cruises. It is the largest suite onboard including an expansive private veranda and multiple rooms. It's truly remarkable design includes:
- Largest suite onboard: 1448 sq ft
- First opportunity to reserve shore excursions: 107 days prior to departure
- 4 guaranteed priority reservations at each alternative restaurant: 100 days prior to departure
- First priority booking of spa treatments: 100 days prior to departure
- Large master bathroom featuring a spacious glass-enclosed shower, double-sink vanity, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror, plus two guest bathrooms
- 24-hour room service (including service from any restaurant during open hours)
- Welcome bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne
- Spacious, well-appointed living room
- Separate dining area that seats 6 guests
- Private library, wine & music collections curated by Chairman Torstein Hagen
- Ocean-view dry sauna
- Boardroom (seats 12) for business meetings & catered dinner parties, with first oceangoing vapor-light fireplace
- Pantry for room service & hosted events
- Complimentary shore excursion with private car & driver (up to 4 guests) in port city of your choice (valued at up to $800)
- Daily personalized tea or pre-dinner cocktail & canapés by request
- Dinner & guided tour with ship officers (subject to availability)
Planning Your Viking Cruise
Whether you are considering a Viking Ocean Cruise or a Viking River Cruise, the Fine Travel team is available to help you navigate the available options.
New Viking Cruises Sale
Viking has released a new campaign with special offers available until 31 March 2020. To view the online brochure click the button below (it will launch as an online brochure in a new window)
