Viking Star, the first new era ocean-going ship from Viking Ocean Cruises has not even begun sailing yet, but construction began recently on the line’s second ship, Viking Sea at the Fincantieri  shipyard in Italy.  Ushering in a new era in ocean cruises, Viking Oceans is taking the innovative thinking behind their popular river cruises to the epic setting of the sea.

“The shipyard cut the steel for the second ship, which will be about 47,800 gross tons in size and accommodate 930 passengers,” says a TravelPulse report, adding “The Viking Star will begin sailing in April in Scandinavia, the Baltic and theMediterranean.”

It comes as no surprise that the second of three new Viking ocean ships has gone from the drawing board to the shipyard.  After all, first new era Viking Star sold out her first season quickly; a resounding vote of approval both from fans of Viking’s river cruise experience and those looking for something different in the world of ocean cruises.   More importantly, Viking believes the best way to understand a country is through enrichment, a proven success formula on the river that they are taking to sea as well.   Ocean cruise travelers will truly explore destinations; through its food, culture and customs.

The 47,800-ton new era Viking ocean ships share some unique features, reflecting a great amount of input from Viking’s river cruise fans.

• A guided excursion in each port of call
• All Verandah Staterooms
• Just 928 passengers
• 24-hour room service
• Complementary Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board
• Free wi-fi
• Viking’s Culture Curriculum: deep immersion in the destination through classes or performances of music, art, cooking, dance, history and cinema

The Viking Star will begin sailing in April in Scandinavia, the Baltic and the Mediterranean.

-Base Itineraries for New Era Viking Oceans-

Viking Homelands
15 Days, Stockholm to Bergen
This itinerary features an outstanding blend of northern continental European cities, imperial Russia and the legendary homeland of the Vikings. The journey includes overnights in Bergen, Stockholm and St. Petersburg, plus calls in Helsinki, Tallinn, Gdansk, Berlin (Warnemünde), Copenhagen, Aalborg, Stavanger, and Flam.

Passage Through Western Europe
15 Days, Bergen to Barcelona
The nimble proportions of Viking Star give passengers access to the heart of the Continent as well as coastal cities on this journey from the Viking waters of Bergen to London, down the Atlantic Coast of France and Portugal and to the Mediterranean. Ports include Lisbon, Cadiz, Gibraltar, and Cartagena with overnights in Bergen, London, Paris and Barcelona.

Mediterranean Odyssey
13 Days, Barcelona to Venice
Spain, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece—this cruise has it all. Visit Toulon, France; Monte Carlo; Tuscany (Livorno), Rome and Naples in Italy; Corfu (Kerkira) Greece; Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia; plus overnights in both Barcelona and Venice

Empires of the Mediterranean
10 Days, Venice to Istanbul
From ancient ruins to medieval cities, this Mediterranean journey starts in Venice and journeys to Pula and Dubrovnik in Croatia; Kotor in Montenegro; Santorini, Athens (Piraeus), Ephesus (Kusadasi), plus an overnight in Istanbul.

(Amazing) Combination Itineraries include

Catalonia to Constantinople
22 Days, Barcelona to Istanbul This itinerary combines the Empires of the Mediterranean itinerary and Mediterranean Odyssey for 16 ports including overnights in Barcelona, Venice and Istanbul.

Scandinavia to Spain
29 days, Stockholm to Barcelona
Take the Viking Homelands itinerary and the Passage Through Western Europe to see 18 ports plus overnights in Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Bergen, London, Paris and Barcelona.

Nordic Explorer
36 Days Istanbul to Bergen
By combining Empires of the Mediterranean, Mediterranean Odyssey and Passage through Western Europe, travelers can visit 23 ports plus overnights in Bergen, London, Paris, Barcelona, Venice and Istanbul.
Viking Empire

Viking Empire
50 Days, Istanbul to Stockholm
For the ultimate journey, combine all four base itineraries to visit 33 ports, with overnights in Istanbul, Venice, Barcelona, Paris, London, Bergen, St. Petersburg and Stockholm.

 

More About Viking Oceans
Already preparing passenger booked on Viking Ocean’s sailings, Viking has a nice library of video that highlights many of the possible experiences on their ocean ships.  This one captures much of the spirit of Viking Oceans:

 

 

 Flickr photo by Official U.S. Navy Page