On April 4, Viking Ocean Cruises’ second ship, Viking Sea, embarked on her maiden voyage from Istanbul to Venice. From Venice, Viking Sea will sail through the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic, docking in the Thames River for her May 5 christening ceremony in Greenwich, England. Following the christening, Viking Sea will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.
Viking Ocean Cruises is putting an emphasis on helping guests connect with the destination. The cruise line’s destination-focused cruises showcase specific locales using smaller ships that feature a unique design. For instance, the 930-passenger Viking Sea features modern Scandinavian decor and allows guests to immerse themselves in local surroundings via a glass-backed infinity pool positioned off the stern for unobstructed views; indoor-outdoor spaces for al fresco dining; large windows and skylights; and a wrap-around promenade deck. The ship offers plenty of restaurants and public spaces, too, from the LivNordic Spa and its hydrotherapy pool and Snow Room, to the Viking Living Room, a geometric garden inspired by the wild lichen of Norway’s Finse Mountain Plateau.
As with all of Viking Ocean Cruises ships, the Viking Sea features itineraries designed for maximum time in port, often with late evenings or overnights, as well as Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences. Sample itineraries include Cooking with a Countess in Venice, Italy, where Countessa Lelia Passi welcomes Viking guests to her home and shares her secrets of Italian cooking; King Crab Safari in Honningsvag, Norway, a deep-sea raft adventure led by fishermen guides; and A Beer Lover’s Adventure & Walking Tour in Alborg, Denmark. If this sounds like it’s right up some of your clients’ alley, then make sure to book by April 30 to receive Viking’s 2-for-1 pricing. Every cruise fare includes a Veranda Stateroom, shore excursions in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes as part of the Viking Inclusive Cruising program.
Also, keep a lookout for the four upcoming ocean cruise ships Viking has on order. Its third ship, Viking Sky, will be delivered in early 2017, while the three remaining yet-to-be-named ships will be delivered in late 2017, 2018 and 2020, respectively. For more information, call (855) 884-5464 or visit vikingoceancruises.com.
