Viking Saturn Cruise Ship Evaluation

A resident of Athens for nearly three a long time, I’ve lengthy been drawn to sunny, seaside locations over frosty mountain peaks. And, till just lately, exploring the colder climes of northern Europe hasn’t actually been excessive on my record.

However sweltering summer time temperatures in Greece this 12 months had me — and a rising variety of people who find themselves in search of “cool-cations” — on the lookout for an escape.

I discovered mine on a 13-day voyage by means of Iceland and Norway aboard Viking Saturn, the 465-cabin ship that’s the latest ocean-going vessel from Viking, a favourite of Journey + Leisure readers. And whereas many cruise strains journey the seemingly countless coastlines of Norway, Viking is the one one which calls the nation residence, a undeniable fact that’s evident the second you step aboard.

Launched in 2023, Saturn is in some ways an identical to the 9 different ocean ships that Viking operates, with wooden paneling that echoes conventional longship design and macramé window dressings that recall conventional Norwegian handiwork. A small museum hosts exhibitions showcasing Viking finds, together with what’s believed to be the world’s solely full instance of a Viking helmet, courting to 970. (A placard describes how the seafaring warriors weren’t as bloodthirsty as they’re usually portrayed to have been.)

The general vibe is Scandinavian stylish, if not out-and-out luxurious. Name it premium, as within the case of the Atrium, a powerful, high-ceilinged area dominated by a broad staircase and a grand piano. Passengers recline in square-backed leather-based chairs, having fun with classical music performances by a pianist and vocalist. There I met British passengers Michael and Muriel Olin, who had been on their nineteenth Viking cruise up to now 14 years; they had been significantly excited to go to Bergen, Norway, our last cease on the itinerary we’d chosen.

Just like the Olins, I discovered the vibe on board to be heat and welcoming, with an organized and gracious crew who all the time appeared to go above and past. The extent of 1:1 service was significantly spectacular contemplating Saturn was nearly at capability — although I by no means felt as if I used to be touring with 899 different passengers, lots of whom had been solo.

Learn on for extra about Viking Saturn, the ship’s facilities, the onboard expertise, and particulars on the vessel’s itineraries.

The Staterooms

Like all Viking ocean ships, Saturn has six stateroom classes, all of that are exterior cabins with verandas. All are characterised by minimalist Scandinavian design and furnishings, together with headboards with stripe patterns in navy, white, gray, and taupe; armchairs, mild and darkish wooden accents, and a useful desk with a conceit mirror spherical out the decor.

At 270 sq. ft, entry-level Veranda Staterooms are barely bigger than the typical mid-range European lodge room. My Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, the following class up, was the identical dimension but in addition included a Nespresso espresso maker, conventional Norwegian Marius-weave blanket and binoculars. Visitors of those lodging have precedence pre-embarkation entry to spa and premium restaurant bookings. At first, it felt just a little on the slim facet, however — as soon as I received my big suitcase saved underneath the mattress — there was loads of wardrobe area. I additionally beloved the lavatory, with its ample cabinets and drawers for toiletries plus an enclosed-glass bathe with a Bossini bathe system whose water strain is healthier than mine at residence.

Pores and skin-tingling Freyja toilet merchandise, produced for Viking, jogged my memory of the verdant hillsides I hiked up. Every cabin has a mini fridge stuffed with snacks and tender drinks which might be replenished with out extra cost, USB ports, and 110- and 220-volt sockets. Self-service laundrettes positioned on every flooring are very handy.

Value a particular point out is the ship’s nicest stateroom, a 1,448-square-foot Proprietor’s Suite on deck 7 with a eating room for six, ocean-view dry sauna, front room, and a library, with each wine and music collections personally chosen by Viking chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen.

Bars and Eating places

Saturn has two specialty eating places which might be greatest reserved early (although onboard reservations are generally attainable). Manfredi’s, an Italian trattoria, was the extra well-liked of the 2 on my journey, doing dishes like a Viking Bistecca, a smoky, garlic- and porcini-laced rib eye, and a succulent osso buco. The opposite specialty eating choice is the Chef’s Desk, with quite a lot of rotating tasting menus — Chinese language, Korean, Thai, Californian delicacies — with fastidiously curated wine pairings.

On deck 2, The Restaurant noticed giant teams of newfound associates gathering for wonderful a la carte delicacies. I zeroed in on the quick however candy vacation spot menus, sampling reindeer stew and rhubarb pie, amongst different highlights. Tender seared duck magret proved a standout selection. I additionally observed some vegan choices, comparable to slow-roasted tofu with quinoa, edamame, and zucchini.

For extra informal eating, the World Café is buffet-style and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; it has an outstanding choice of hearty soups, roast carvings, and even American classics like hoagies stuffed with native elements like Norwegian smoked salmon. One morning, I picked up steaming congee with all of the condiments from the Asian nook and it shortly turned my energy-boosting breakfast go-to. Within the night, seafood aficionados can select from an expansive unfold together with entire scallops and native brown crab legs.

Late risers and candy tooths alike gravitate to Mamsen’s on Deck 7 for addictive Norwegian waffles constituted of a Hagen household recipe and topped with blueberries, raspberries, bitter cream, and barely candy brown goat cheese. Afternoon tea within the luminous Wintergarden, the place completely baked scones are served with spicy cinnamon chai and different alternatives, is equally well-liked; it’s greatest to reach early to nab a desk.

On the bar within the Residing Room, simply off the ship’s Atrium, I found the ship’s greatest espresso and wonderful chocolate chip cookies. Room service comes at no cost on Viking but it have to be mentioned that the hen soup I ordered didn’t match the standard of eating elsewhere.

As for cocktails, the Explorers’ Lounge is very atmospheric throughout sailaways. Departing from Akureyri, Iceland, for instance, was spectacular, as we cruised at excessive velocity by means of a waterfall-studded fjord. The venue’s higher degree is much more romantic, with reindeer conceal couches and choice of maps and different attention-grabbing keepsakes.

There’s additionally the Torshavn bar, with uncommon vintages of Armagnac courting way back to 1935; Viking says it’s the most important choice on board any cruise ship.

The place Viking Saturn Sails

Saturn sails within the western and japanese Mediterranean in winter and spends a lot of the summer time cruising in northern and central Europe. The 15-day Viking Homelands itinerary, for instance, departs from Stockholm and calls at Ålborg, Denmark; Stavanger, Norway; and Tallinn, Estonia; amongst different ports. Different choices embrace the 15-day Commerce Routes of the Center Ages itinerary, which cruises from Barcelona to Bergen, stopping at cities comparable to Porto, Portugal, and Falmouth, England.

Shore Excursions

Viking affords not less than one complimentary shore tour at each port of name. I took benefit of those in a number of locations, generally squeezing in a morning or afternoon choice simply because.

One in all my most memorable excursions was a small-boat cruise within the distant Faroe Islands. After departing Saturn, a gaggle of us sailed from the wild western coast of Streymoy island to the mist-shrouded Vestmanna sea cliffs. As our captain nimbly navigated his means alongside sheer volcanic cliffs, the place hardy sheep grazed oblivious to the lofty heights, he supplied informative and entertaining commentary. We handed by means of deep grottoes framed by hovering, charcoal-hued craggy basalt columns whereas stiff-winged fulmars flew above.

Among the best-known sights I visited throughout this journey, comparable to Iceland’s Goðafoss waterfall and the hamlet of Geiranger, Norway, turned out to be fairly busy. To keep away from the crowds, strive reserving early morning excursions. Helicopter excursions, that are no doubt dear, will whisk you up and away for a singular chook’s eye view of fjords and mountain ranges.

Facilities and Leisure

Like each Viking ocean ship, Saturn has a generously sized spa. I slotted in a Swedish therapeutic massage on a sea day and loved having the tightly wound knots between my shoulder blades kneaded into oblivion with a mix of important oils from the Swedish firm LivNordic. I then floated into the Nordic Spa, which, by early night, was sparsely populated as many friends had been off to prepare for dinner. I moved from the steam room to an alternate chilly plunge, dumping a picket pail of freezing water onto my physique. Dodging the snow grotto, I slunk straight into the whirlpool. (Adjoining to the spa is a large exercise space stocked with all kinds of Technogym tools.)

With cool temperatures exterior, the sea-facing solar loungers past the Essential Pool on deck 7, the place glass panels drew in daylight like a greenhouse, shortly turned one in every of my favourite quiet spots to nap or learn a e-book. Scattered on cabinets all through is an intensive array of fiction and non-fiction; I noticed among the many titles “20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea.”

The Star Theater is the place for dwell performances: Broadway revues, ABBA hits, a Beatles retrospective. However there was different dwell music on board, from rock ballads within the Explorers’ Lounge to upbeat soul and funk tunes, which had everybody dancing within the Torshavn Bar. I felt lucky to be aboard with Christina Otero-Botes, the assistant cruise director, who revealed mind-blowing singing skills: she did a Tina Turner tribute adopted by rousing pop and opera at a full of life social gathering held beside the principle pool.

Household-friendly Choices

Viking ships are adults-only, open solely to passengers aged 18 and above. Whereas I didn’t meet any grandparents cruising with grownup grandchildren, I did meet one passenger touring along with his mother and father. And I can image many 20-somethings having fun with a multi-generational trip on Saturn — so long as they will content material themselves with leisure-time actions comparable to mini golf, bocce, desk tennis, and old-school board video games.

Accessibility

Situated on deck 6 close to the elevators, Penthouse Junior Suites 6020 and 6021 are ADA-compliant staterooms which might be wheelchair accessible. All staterooms characteristic non-slip toilet flooring and hand railings.