Sky opens up Norwegian ocean-cruise possibilities
Latest Viking vessel among line’s new ships, with more planned between fall and 2022
TROMSØ, NORWAY In the heart of the Midnight Sun, one day after the Summer Solstice and on the eve of its 20th anniversary, Viking Cruises (cruise.center/ vikingsea) officially welcomed its third ocean-going cruise ship into its fleet.
The 930-guest Viking Sky was christened by Marit Barstad, sister of Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises, in a pierside ceremony open to residents of this arctic Norwegian city. The call on Tromsø was made as part of Viking’s 14-day Into the Midnight Sun itinerary that whisks guests from Bergen to the far reaches of Arctic Norway before ending in Greenwich (London), England. “This is a special time of year in Norway — these are the days of the midnight sun and the perfect backdrop for a celebration. All of our ships proudly carry the Norwegian flag, and it is an especially proud day to officially welcome our new ship in Tromsø, the arctic capital of the world,” Hagen said.
The 745-foot-long (227-metrelong) Viking Sky doesn’t stray from the magic formula that Viking developed for its first ocean-going ships, Viking Star and Viking Sea. There’s little reason to: Viking Star was designed so superbly that she immediately garnered accolades from media and guests alike, with comparisons drawn to the line’s successful Viking Longship river cruise vessels in Europe.
If you’ve never sailed on one of Viking’s ocean cruises before, prepare to be thrilled by Viking Sky’s warm, Scandinavianinspired decor and unique touches that pay tribute to the Norwegian heritage of the Hagen family. My favourite dining venue, Mamsen’s, honours Hagen’s mother Ragnhild and serves up heart-shaped Norwegian waffles each morning, light bites during the afternoon, and delicious split-pea soup after 10 p.m., culled from family recipes. New on Viking Sky, the nearby Explorer’s Lounge now recognizes Hagen’s father — nicknamed Paps — and even offers up the gentleman’s favourite drink: Norwegian brandy with hot water and sugar.
Like her sisters, Viking Sky is part floating library and art gallery. Original works of Scandinavian art grace the ship’s corridors and public rooms, and Viking has developed a print brochure and an app (downloadable from the
App store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android phones) to guide you through it all.
You’ll also find the largest collection of works by Edvard Munch outside of the Munch Museum.
My favourite feature, not only on Viking Sky, but on all of Viking’s ocean ships: an expertly curated selection of books on polar history, Norwegian explorers, maritime history, biographies, world events and fiction grace the shelves of almost every public room. It’s easily the best literary collection at sea.
Like its river cruises, Viking’s ocean cruises are semi-inclusive. Beer, wine and soft drinks are complimentary with lunch and dinner, and specialty coffees never cost extra. Viking provides a selection of included shore excursions in every port of call (alongside extra-cost options), and the ship’s spectacular Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa — which consists of a hydrotherapy pool, heated thermal loungers, aromatherapy steam rooms and sauna, and a Nordic snow room with real snow — can be used free of charge.
Viking Sky has been thoughtfully designed, inside and out. When the weather is nice, floor-to-ceiling windows in the ship’s Restaurant and its World Café buffet can slide open to let the fresh air in. If it’s raining (as it was on my voyage), the fully covered mid-ship pool lets you enjoy a swim or a casual lunch or an evening movie — and there’s none of that awful humidity that plagues similar areas on other cruise ships.
Viking, of course, isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a party-hard cruise, this isn’t the one for you. Ditto if you like to gamble; you won’t find a casino aboard any of Viking’s ships.
What you will find, however, is a soothing cruise experience that is educational, destinationfocused, and beyond enjoyable.
Viking Sky will be joined this fall by her new sister, Viking Sun. A fifth ship — Viking Spirit — will follow in 2018, and three as-yet-unnamed ships are on order for delivery between 2019 and 2022. Brand-new voyages to Asia, Alaska and beyond are in the works, and Viking will debut its inaugural World Cruise this December: a 141-day journey from Miami to London.
Happy cruising.
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