Viking Saturn Cruise Ship Evaluation

A resident of Athens for nearly three many years, I’ve lengthy been drawn to sunny, seaside locations over frosty mountain peaks. And, till not too long ago, exploring the colder climes of northern Europe hasn’t actually been excessive on my checklist.

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

I discovered mine on a 13-day voyage by way 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 limitless 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 equivalent 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, relationship 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 formidable, high-ceilinged house 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 at all times 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 outdoors 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, gentle and darkish wooden accents, and a helpful 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 additionally 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 somewhat on the slim aspect, however — as soon as I obtained my big suitcase saved below the mattress — there was loads of wardrobe house. 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 best 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 full of snacks and comfortable drinks which can 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, lounge, 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 can be finest reserved early (although onboard reservations are generally doable). Manfredi’s, an Italian trattoria, was the extra in style 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 a wide range of rotating tasting menus — Chinese language, Korean, Thai, Californian delicacies — with rigorously curated wine pairings.

On deck 2, The Restaurant noticed massive teams of newfound mates gathering for glorious 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 alternative. I additionally seen some vegan choices, reminiscent of 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 number of hearty soups, roast carvings, and even American classics like hoagies full of native components like Norwegian smoked salmon. One morning, I picked up steaming congee with all of the condiments from the Asian nook and it rapidly grew to become my energy-boosting breakfast go-to. Within the night, seafood aficionados can select from an expansive unfold together with complete scallops and native brown crab legs.

Late risers and candy tooths alike gravitate to Mamsen’s on Deck 7 for addictive Norwegian waffles comprised 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 picks, is equally in style; it’s finest to reach early to nab a desk.

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

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

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

The place Viking Saturn Sails

Saturn sails within the western and jap 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 reminiscent of 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.

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

A number of the best-known sights I visited throughout this journey, reminiscent of Iceland’s Goðafoss waterfall and the hamlet of Geiranger, Norway, turned out to be fairly busy. To keep away from the crowds, attempt reserving early morning excursions. Helicopter excursions, that are indisputably dear, will whisk you up and away for a novel chicken’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 another 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 gear.)

With cool temperatures outdoors, the sea-facing solar loungers past the Most important Pool on deck 7, the place glass panels drew in daylight like a greenhouse, rapidly grew to become considered one 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 reside performances: Broadway revues, ABBA hits, a Beatles retrospective. However there was different reside 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 abilities: she did a Tina Turner tribute adopted by rousing pop and opera at a full of life occasion held beside the primary 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 dad and mom. 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 reminiscent of 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 can be wheelchair accessible. All staterooms characteristic non-slip toilet flooring and hand railings.