Long known for its river cruises, Viking entered the ocean market in 2015 with the launch of the all-veranda Viking Star. Fast forward and the line, owned by a Norwegian company, will have 15 elegant ocean ships in its fleet by 2028.
Viking Venus started sailing in 2021, and the line’s ocean fleet is virtually identical, so this review can apply to the sister ships.
Overall score 9/10
Style and Character 9/10
Bright, inviting spaces mean that although Venus carries 930 guests, it’s always possible to find somewhere quiet on board. Everywhere feels luxuriously welcoming thanks to calm Scandi interiors, pale woods and furnishings that include cosy faux-fur throws, roomy lanai daybeds and original works by Norwegian craft artists. The impressive three-storey atrium in the centre of the ship features a continually changing installation of Edvard Munch’s work.
Cabins 8/10
Cabins are designed for lingering and each one has a private veranda and floor-to-ceiling glass doors. You’ll also find a king-size bed, 42-inch flat-screen television – there’s a great movie selection – and mini-bar stocked with water, soft drinks and snacks.
The traditional Norwegian blanket in the living area is a nice touch for an evening in, ordering room service (available 24 hours) and snuggling up in your cabin. I also loved the underfloor heating and plentiful Freyja toiletries (exclusive to Viking) in the bathroom.
Food and Drink 9/10
Consistently excellent food is served throughout Venus’s various restaurants. Breakfast feels like a treat in the main restaurant as most other guests head for the self-service World Café. Meanwhile, Mamsen’s on deck seven is where you’ll find the best coffee and incredible Scandi breakfast items, such as waffles with berries, brown cheese (it’s delicious) and suksessterte, which translates to “success cake”.
Think of your favourite Italian dish and the chances are you’ll find it at Manfredi’s, one of two restaurants that need to be booked ahead. Here, you’ll find Tuscan classics such as bruschetta and bistecca alla Fiorentina (steak), along with fresh pasta dishes and fish of the day, plus many desserts and cheeses. The other speciality restaurant, The Chef’s Table, offers themed tasting-style set menus, including an Asian Panorama and a Great Britain menu.
Pre-dinner cocktails (expect to pay around £8.50 for a martini) feel deliciously decadent sitting at the bar in the Explorer’s Lounge or watching stunning sunsets from the Aquavit Terrace.
Service and Facilities 9/10
The service on Viking Venus is so good that the crew won’t just remember your name and cabin number, but finer details, including how you like your tea.
I loved the Nordic Spa with its expansive wellness pools and its invigorating snow grotto, where you can scrub yourself with ice and snow to boost your circulation. There’s a wealth of spa treatments available – a 50-minute Swedish Mindful Massage will set you back around £115. I also tried out the Nordic Bathing Night (a fun group event that costs around £30pp), which included body brushing, birch branch thwacking and hot and cold spa sessions.
Meanwhile, the adjacent fitness centre feels like it was designed by an actual gym user, with separate areas for cardio and weights, while the top-deck swimming pool has a retractable roof so it can be used in all weather. There’s also a smaller infinity pool at the stern. On deck two, the full wraparound promenade deck is great for clocking up the miles – four full circuits is the equivalent of one mile.
Should you need to buy jewellery, emergency toiletries or other essentials, there are shops on board. However, gamblers may be disappointed that Viking ships are casino-free.
Entertainment and Excursions 8/10
Expect fascinating lectures and properly useful port talks rather than West End-quality shows in the 450-seat theatre. Lectures are mostly destination specific; for example, a talk on the Vietnam conflict gave extra resonance to my subsequent visit to the Cu Chi War tunnels outside Ho Chi Minh City.
Included excursions tend to be guided coach tours, but with plenty of stops at points of local interest and museums. Premium outings carry premium prices, so it’s worth sussing out independent travel guides.
Value for Money 9/10
There’s no getting away from the fact that Viking cruises are on the pricey side. Having said that, so much is already included in the cost – flights and transfers, drinks, complimentary Wi-Fi in all areas of the ship, tips, an excursion at every port, 24-hour room service and use of the spa – so you don’t have to worry about forking out (too much) on board.
What you will have to pay extra for are spa treatments and more adventurous excursions. For example, a multi-stop coach trip excursion costs around £50, while a seaplane adventure will set you back around £300.
Drinks are included with meals, but a Silver Spirits package (£21 per person, per day) unlocks unlimited beers, wines, champagnes and tasting events.
Access for guests with disabilities?
Viking Venus has two adapted cabins as well as roomy lifts and ramps around the ship. There are also plenty of disabled toilets and wide entrances to restaurants, but no pool winches.
Family-friendly?
Being an adults-only cruise ship, Viking Venus isn’t suitable for young families.
About our expert
Nicole Carmichael
Nicole has decades of experience travelling, covering a number of cruises and writing about everything from dating etiquette at sea to the world’s most extravagant cabins. She can often be found chatting to lost tourists across London or trying to convince cruise sceptics to take the plunge.