UK Edition
Viking Star first look: 'the antithesis of a mega ship'
It was quite the weekend for reveals. As I began the first leg of a journey to a new cruise ship on Saturday morning news broke that the Duchess of Cambridge had scooted off to the Lindo Wing.
In the time it took me to reach Gatwick, check in, go through security and queue for a sausage bap the most anticipated baby arrival this year was done and dusted. The gate for BA's 11.10 to Barcelona hadn't even been announced.
Next Sunday will see the birth of a fleet, Viking Ocean Cruises, in Bergen, Norway, when one of the most hotly anticipated cruise ship launches of the year, Viking Star is christened. Not only is this is the first new ocean cruise line in almost a decade, but is owned by Viking, a line synonymous with river cruising.
Viking Star, aft
Viking River Cruises launched its patented square-bowed Viking Longships in 2012 (think rooftop herb gardens, light-drenched interiors and indoor/outdoor dining). There are now 40 of these and last year the line set a world record for the most river ship launches inaugurated in one day.
When asked if they would consider an ocean cruise 84 per cent of the line's river cruisers apparently said yes, and so here we are.
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Longship fans will be pleased to know that that barely-there Scandinavian approach to design is writ large on Viking Star.
"It's a Longship on steroids," said one passenger.
On boarding were met by chairman of Viking Cruises, Torstein Hagen, who led us on a whistle-stop tour. The first of three sister ships, the 930-passenger Star is an-all balcony ship (cabins range from 270-1,300 sq ft).
The infinity pool
A sleek yacht-style bow hints at what's to come: inside is miles of clean-lines and light woods – pine, birch, white ash and juniper. Limestone, leather, Swedish granite, slate and recycled and etched opaque glass are offset by hand-woven textiles, pelt-draped sofas, Nordic-print throws, nature-inspired art and cosy fire pits – interiors that would not look out of place on the cover of Living Etc.
Think of it as chic Nordic ski lodge on water.
The spectacular Wintergarden, covered by a magradome roof that extends to cover the adjacent main pool area in bad weather, features blond-wood "tree branches" (picture an upturned mangrove tree) that form a delicate ceiling tracery – and a dramatic skylight canopy under which to read a book or have afternoon tea.
"Think of it as chic Nordic ski lodge on water"
Forsaking the showpiece atrium bauble common to many large cruise ships the three-deck space instead features changing "scenery" – a mountain plateau; a curly-horned ram, moss-covered boulders - via a digital wall. Here too, the main staircase rises above a lichen garden so that every step brings to mind a walk in a mossy glade. I half expected Gandalf to pop up or a troll to reach up and grab my ankles.
The stairwells of the eight-deck ship boast an impressive reproduction of the Bayeux Tapestry, placed panel by panel on each landing. Nature even finds its way into the public restrooms, where birds, heard but not seen, tweet.
The impressive reproduction of the Bayeux Tapestry (Photo: Teresa Machan)
In the stylishly understated spa, where one is encouraged to bathe starkers as is the Scandinavian wont (as most cruisers are 55-plus Americans that particular bathing tradition is unlikely to be borne out), there is a Snow Grotto (it "snows" only at night) in which to cool down after using the Finnish sauna.
The Snow Grotto
"We like to roll around in the snow and then jump into a lake," said Nora, one of the spa therapists. "We've tried to recreate that."
Viking Star is the antithesis of a mega ship.
According to Hagen, who was now feeding us waffles in the boardroom of the owner's suite, which also has its own sauna, the cardinal sin in marketing is trying to be all things to all people. His motto, keep it simple, is reflected in the ship's homely, elegant design. "You don't want the frame of the picture to detract from what you're seeing and experiencing," he said.
He believes ocean cruising is regarded as the drinking-man's cruise and river cruising the thinking man's cruise.
"We like to think of Viking as the thinking-man's ocean cruise."
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By this he means enrichment – on board lectures, excursions that offer something extra and more time in port for the 55-plus affluent, well-educated, curious and active cruiser that Viking is targeting.
"I do my market research when I see myself in the shaving mirror every day," said the ebullient 72-year-old.
The digital wall (Photo: Teresa Machan)
There have been teething problems, some technical; some logistical, as there are with most ship launches. On these, including the lengthy queues for the buffet stations at lunch, Hagen was upfront. "The buffet doesn't function entirely effectively right now."
Of the many inclusions in the cruise fare the one which will have most cruisers jumping for joy is the free Wi-Fi. If IKEA did Wi-Fi this is how it would be: free, fairly fast and functional with no log-in or password faff. Where there is a signal, connectivity is good.
"I hope you like her homey interior," said Swedish captain Gulleik Svalastog to the crowd gathered in the atrium on the first night of our voyage – his accent pure Benny, from Abba.
"Skål!" he said, raising a glass of champagne.
"This is the only time I get to have a little taste of the goodies."
Prepare for the Viking invasion.