Viking Cruises announced that its newest ocean ship, Viking Saturn, will debut in early 2023. The 930-guest ship will spend its maiden season sailing three new itineraries in Scandinavian and Nordic countries, including two 15-day journeys—Iconic "Iceland, Greenland & Canada" and "Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer"—and a 29-day "Greenland, Iceland, Norway & Beyond" itinerary. Additionally, the cruise company will also bring back the eight-day "Iceland’s Natural Beauty" itinerary starting in August 2023.
The 15-day "Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada" itinerary spans Iceland, Greenland and the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Sailing between New York City and Reykjavik, guests can marvel at the volcanic landscape of the Westman Islands, and visit Djúpivogur, Seydisfjördur and Akureyri.
On the 15-day "Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer" journey, guests will discover life in the far north during a voyage across the Arctic Circle and along the distant shores of Norway and Iceland. After an overnight stay in Viking Saturn’s homeport of Bergen, they will follow the footsteps of Vikings with a visit to Honningvåg’s remote North Cape besides exploring Longyearbyen, which is home to more polar bears than people.
Guests can also choose to combine the two aforementioned new itineraries for a 29-day "Greenland, Iceland, Norway & Beyond" voyage. Departing from the former Hanseatic League city of Bergen, guests will trace the path of Vikings through the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Iceland and Greenland before making their way to Canada and concluding in New York.
Returning in 2023, the popular eight-day "Iceland’s Natural Beauty" voyage is a roundtrip journey from Reykjavik and explores the shores of Iceland. Sailing on Viking Star, guests will witness cascading waterfalls and fjord landscapes. They can follow in the footsteps of the intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson besides observing local wildlife.
Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests. Viking’s fleet includes Viking Star, Viking Sea, Viking Sky, Viking Orion, Viking Jupiter and Viking Venus. While Viking Mars and Viking Neptune will join the fleet in 2022; Viking Saturn will join in early 2023. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” Viking’s ocean fleet features modern Scandinavian design with intimate spaces and attention to detail.
Guests can choose from five stateroom categories, starting from 270-square-foot Veranda Staterooms, all equipped with private verandas and amenities that include king-size beds with luxury linens, closets, interactive flat-screen LCD TVs with movies-on-demand, free Wi-Fi and bathrooms with large showers, Freyja bath products and heated floors.
The ships feature 14 Explorer Suites, which are two-room suites ranging from 757 to 1,163 square feet. The suites feature wraparound private verandas and offer the most amenities and privileges of any category on board.
In addition to the Main Pool with a retractable roof permitting any-season swimming, the ships feature a glass-backed Infinity Pool cantilevered off the stern. In keeping with Viking’s Nordic heritage, The Spa on-board is designed with the holistic wellness philosophy of Scandinavia in mind—from the centuries-old tradition of the sauna to a Snow Grotto where snowflakes descend from the ceiling through chilled air.
The Explorers’ Lounge is located at the bow of the ship and designed to represent the Scandinavian spirit for relaxation and for marveling at sweeping views through double-height windows.
Viking’s ships offer eight dining options at no additional cost — from fine dining in The Restaurant, which serves three full meals and a range of culinary options, and the World Café, which features international fare and regional specialties including a sushi and seafood cold bar—to intimate alternative dining experiences at The Chef’s Table, which offers a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings, and Manfredi’s, which features pastas and Italian favorites. The Pool Grill specializes in gourmet burgers, while afternoon tea and scones are available in the Wintergarden. Mamsen’s serves Norwegian deli-style fare, and offers complimentary 24-hour room service. Viking’s ocean ships offer multiple choices for outdoor seating during meals. Additionally, The Kitchen Table specializes in regional dishes from market to table.
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