The recently christened Viking Star, Viking Ocean Cruises' first ship, sailing through Dubrovnik.

The recently christened Viking Star, Viking Ocean Cruises’ first ship, sailing through Dubrovnik.

The Champagne has barely poured for the 930-passenger Viking Star, as Viking Ocean Cruises rolls out the first of its ocean-going fleet. Meanwhile, four new itineraries and 2017 departures for Viking Star—and sister ships Viking Sea and Viking Sky – have just opened up for booking. The 2017 program includes sailings on Viking’s most popular itineraries in the Mediterranean, Western Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic.

“We made a commitment to reinvent ocean cruising, and we are well on our way,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises.

New Mediterranean & Holy Land Itineraries

The cruise company has created four new enrichment programs that will take guests from the sun-soaked regions of the Mediterranean to the cultural capital of St. Petersburg.

Ancient Empires & Holy Lands (15 days; Rome to Istanbul 2016)—This 15-day itinerary offers the opportunity to explore historic destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean and experience some of the sacred sights of the Middle East while traveling through the heart of the Holy Land. Guests can spend three days in Israel, making stops in Jerusalem and Haifa, gateways to Bethlehem and Nazareth, and will also be able to explore the ancient cities of Rome, Athens and Istanbul. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $4,199 per person with discounted airfares from $695 per person.

Bergen to the Bosphorus (15 days; Bergen to Istanbul 2016)—This epic journey begins in Bergen before cruising south to the Mediterranean, stopping in Paris and Lisbon along the way. Once in the Mediterranean, travelers visit Tunis, Valletta and Athens before concluding the trip in the ancient cosmopolitan city of Istanbul. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $3,699 per person with discounted airfares from $895 per person.

Secrets of the Southern Mediterranean (8 days; Rome to Barcelona 2017)—Guests will set sail through the southern Mediterranean, departing from Rome and continuing on to some of North Africa’s most historically significant destinations, including Tunis, a dazzling city that mixes North African tradition and French colonialism, and Algiers, home of the Notre Dame d’Afrique. The itinerary also stops in Valletta, Sardinia and Valencia before concluding the trip in beautiful Barcelona. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $1,999 per person with discounted airfares from $595 per person.

Barcelona, the Baltic & Beyond (22 days; Barcelona to Stockholm 2017)—This voyage travels through the waterways of Western Europe and the Baltic, giving guests the opportunity to explore Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam and St. Petersburg. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $5,999 per person with discounted airfares from $695 per person.

Viking Star, Viking Sea and Viking Sky

Recently christened in Bergen, Norway, the 930-passenger all-veranda Viking Star—as well as her two sister ships under construction, Viking Sea (2016) and Viking Sky (2017)—is engineered at a scale to allow direct access into most ports, so guests have easy and efficient embarkation and disembarkation. Highlights include:

All Veranda Staterooms: Guests can choose from five stateroom categories, starting from a 270 sq. ft. Veranda Stateroom, all with private verandas, king-size beds, large showers and LCD TVs.

Explorer Suites: The ships feature 14 Explorer Suites, which are two-room suites ranging from 757 to 1,163 sq. ft. that offer views from wraparound private verandas as well as the most amenities and privileges of any category on board.

Two Pool Choices: In addition to the Main Pool with a retractable dome permitting any-season swimming, the ships feature a glass-backed Infinity Pool off the stern, allowing guests to swim surrounded by their destination.

The Spa: 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.

Explorers’ Lounge and Wintergarden: Spaces designed to facilitate mingling and storytelling, the two-deck Explorers’ Lounge at the bow is the perfect spot for taking in scenery through double-height windows over a glass of aquavit or pint of local craft beer; and the Wintergarden is a serene environment for afternoon tea service complete with a hand-selected teas.

Dining Choices: Viking’s ships offer multiple restaurant locations and food choices—from The Restaurant and the World Café, serving a variety of global cuisines and regional specialties and Mamsen’s, which serves Norwegian deli-style fare—to intimate dining experiences at The Chef’s Table, Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant and The Kitchen Table, all serving meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients. There are multiple choices for outdoor seating during meals.

Entertainment: Connecting guests to their destinations through authentic experiences is central to Viking Cruises, and onboard venues include a three-deck atrium where guests can enjoy musicians playing regional and classical music; the Theater, home to enrichment lectures from scholars and experts; an onboard cooking school where guests can learn how to prepare local specialties; and Torshavn, a piano lounge where guests can relax, mingle, and exchange stories.

Sustainable Features: Viking’s ocean ships feature energy-efficient hybrid engines, hydro-dynamically optimized streamlined hulls and bows for maximum fuel efficiency, along with onboard solar panels, and equipment that minimizes exhaust pollution.

 Contact:
(855) 884-5464 (8-VIKING)
www.vikingcruises.com