Viking Cruises frequently earns top awards in the luxury cruise category for its refined service and elegant ships. Among the fleet, the Viking Star stands out for its thoughtful design and cruise-friendly comforts. Cabins feature heated bathroom floors, spacious glass showers with convenient shelving, ample storage, large safes, flattering lighting, padded headboards, comfortable seating, and well-sized desks. Bedside storage is generous, making the staterooms both functional and inviting. Dining options on board are varied and high quality, while public spaces like the Explorer’s Club and the light-filled Wintergarden offer both cozy and social atmospheres—perfect for relaxing with afternoon tea or enjoying quiet conversation.
Viking Sea in Venice © Viking
One of the ship’s most impressive features is its spa. The Viking Star spa includes a heated pool, a long fireplace for ambiance, separate men’s and women’s saunas, an herbal steam room, experience showers, cold plunges, and an ice bucket shower. A standout attraction is the enclosed ice cave: a glass-walled, snow-filled room where guests can relax on a bench between hot and cold therapies. These wellness facilities create a complete heat-and-cool circuit designed to rejuvenate. Additional conveniences onboard include guest laundry areas and attentive service, as well as well-organized shore excursion infrastructure.
For guided tours, Viking provides a Quietvox voice-controlled transmitter system with in-room charging stations so guests can listen clearly during shore excursions. Daily printed in-room guides highlight which tours will use the system, helping passengers prepare ahead of time and enjoy informative, hassle-free experiences ashore.
If you’re planning an extended cultural voyage, consider the Antiquities of the Mediterranean itinerary, a 22-day cruise from Venice to Barcelona that visits seven countries and offers 16 distinct tours. Departing from Venice, the route calls at Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia; Kotor in Montenegro; Corfu, Katakolon, Athens, and Crete in Greece; multiple ports in Italy including Sicily, Naples, Rome, Florence, and Pisa; Monte Carlo in Monaco; Marseille and Montpellier (Sete) in France; and concludes in Barcelona, Spain. The journey sails the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic, delivering a rich mix of history, architecture, and coastal scenery. Pre- and post-cruise extensions are available for travelers who wish to deepen their exploration of the region.
Viking Cruise Ship © Viking