Viking Ocean Cruises has announced the maiden voyage of the Viking Sea, departing from Istanbul and arriving in Venice. It will then leave the Mediterranean and sail across the Atlantic to the River Thames, where it will be christened on May 5th at London's Greenwich Pier. Following the christening, it will spend its inaugural season in Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.
“In recent years, it seems the biggest ships are the ones getting all the attention. Many cruise lines have focused too much on building larger vessels without worrying about connecting passengers to their destinations,” said Torstein Hagen, President of Viking Cruises. “We’ve created cruises that put the destination at the heart of the experience, with smaller ships that are smarter in their design. As soon as our second ship set sail with its first guests, we looked to the future to introduce more travelers to Viking’s unique approach to ocean cruising – a style inspired by our experience and success on the rivers.”
This series of small ships, weighing 47,800 tons, can accommodate a total of 930 passengers in its 465 cabins. The Viking Sea is the second of six. The third, the Viking Sky, will be delivered in early 2017; the remaining ships, as yet unnamed, will arrive in late 2017, 2018, and 2020.
The Viking Sea was designed by experienced naval architects and engineers. On board, travelers can enjoy al fresco dining, large windows, or an infinity pool at the stern offering unique views.
Scandinavian decorations inspired by the ancient Viking routes and their navigation methods, along with artwork, leather sofas, limestone, and black slate, make the Viking Sea a welcoming and modern ship.
Designed for discerning travelers, Viking offers an alternative to other cruises, immersing passengers in the diverse cultures of the world. Its itineraries are designed to maximize time spent in each port, allowing guests to experience the vibrant nightlife, history, art, music, and cuisine of each city.
Onboard, passengers can enjoy talks and lectures, and savor the diverse flavors from around the world offered by Viking's cuisine. With the KitchenTable Experience, passengers will have the opportunity to shop, cook, and dine with the Executive Chef.
These are some of the experiences and excursions that Viking offers:
- Cooking with a Countess, Venice, Italy – Countess Lelia Passi will welcome Viking passengers and teach them all the secrets of Italian cuisine.
- Sailing and swimming on the French Riviera, Toulon, France – travelers will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skill by sailing a sailboat around the bay of Toulon and visit some of its caves where they can relax and have a drink or a snack, weather permitting.
- Food and Brandy in Normandy – In the town of Pont L'Évêque, you can savor a very special Normandy meal at the Les Tonneaux du Père Magloire restaurant. After the meal, passengers can discover the process of creating “eau de vie,” the quintessential Norman brandy.
- King crab safari, Honningsvåg, Norway – Fishermen will teach how to care for and feed the crabs in a location with spectacular views.
- Fjord Safari and Farm Lunch, Flåm, Norway – This tour allows you to experience Norway outdoors with the opportunity to have a meal at an authentic Norwegian farm.
- Adventure for beer lovers, Ålborg, Denmark – Travelers will enjoy some of the best Danish beers on a stroll through the Jomfru Ane Gade district.
- Private tour of Jerusalem and Bethlehem – Passengers will be able to explore these two cities with a guide and private transportation.
