Viking Ocean Cruises' award-winning performance

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This was published 7 years ago

Viking Ocean Cruises' award-winning performance

By Sally Macmillan
Viking Star and Viking Sea visiting Santorini.

Viking Star and Viking Sea visiting Santorini.

Only last year, Viking Ocean Cruises became the first new cruise line in a decade to launch a purpose-built ship, the 930-passenger Viking Star. Its identical sister Viking Sea was christened in May this year and four more ships will set sail in 2017, 2018 and 2020. Now the company is winning some of the world's most prestigious awards – most recently it was named the No. 1 Ocean Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure magazine readers in the 2016 World's Best Awards.

Viking, which is already renowned for having the world's biggest, newest fleet of river ships, has clearly nailed the key elements, as they say on MasterChef. The Travel + Leisure win unseats luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises, which held the title in the category for 20 years in a row. These awards are based on results from an annual survey, where readers are asked to vote for the very best in cruising in the following categories: cabins/facilities, restaurants/food, service, itineraries/destinations, excursions/activities and value.

"Viking is the world's leading river cruise line, and we are pleased to now be the world's best ocean cruise line," said Torstein Hagen, founder and chairman of Viking Cruises. "We launched Viking Ocean Cruises to reinvent the category. We have a unique approach to destination-focused ocean cruising that is built upon our success in river cruising, and awards like this demonstrate that our approach is working."

Ovation of the Sea's pool deck.

Ovation of the Sea's pool deck.

So why has Viking Ocean Cruises captured the imagination – and bookings – of such a wide audience, so quickly? Having sailed on Viking Star's inaugural cruise to Norway last year, I was very impressed by the "Viking difference". The ship's interior is beautifully designed, light and contemporary; every cabin has a balcony; it's aimed squarely at well-travelled, adult travellers; and the fare covers lots of amenities that you pay extra for on mainstream cruises.

These include shore excursions in each port of call (there are also for-fee excursions available); beer and wine with lunch and dinner; premium dining reservations; Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service.

Longer stays and more overnights in ports are part of the appeal. Viking has added 10 new itineraries for 2017 and 2018, throughout Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, including Cuba. Viking Sky is due to launch in February 2017 and Viking Sun in October 2017. Viking Sun's maiden voyage, departing Miami in December 2017, will be a 141-day world cruise spanning five continents, 35 countries and 66 ports.

Seven Seas Navigator is heading Down Under.

Seven Seas Navigator is heading Down Under.

Along the way, the ship will berth in Sydney overnight, marking the first time the Nordic cruise line has ventured to Australian shores. Let's hope the line will return for a longer series of southern hemisphere cruises. See vikingcruises.com.au/oceans

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MEET THE CREW

NAME Captain Flemming B. Nielsen, from Denmark

Captain Flemming B Nielsen.

Captain Flemming B Nielsen.

POSITION Captain, Royal Caribbean's new Ovation of the Seas

MY JOB As captain, I am responsible for the safety of our guests, crew, the ship and the environment. This includes not only safely navigating and arriving into ports on time – and efficiently – but also offering our guests an enjoyable holiday.

A TYPICAL DAY I usually spend my mornings in the bridge, either docking in a new port or assessing all external factors for our sea day ahead, such as weather and the ocean's currents. I then try and spend a bit of time interacting with guests to see how they are enjoying their holiday.

Tsutsujigaoka Park in cherry blossom season.

Tsutsujigaoka Park in cherry blossom season.

FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT My favourite part of the job is manoeuvring the ship, but a close second is getting to talk to the guests who are sailing with us for the very first time and can't believe the amenities that we have on our ships.

FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS I love Australia. I was on board Rhapsody of the Seas in 2007 – the first Royal Caribbean ship to be deployed to Australia – and I am very much looking forward to returning to Sydney Harbour with Ovation of the Seas on December 15.

INSIDER TIP Travel with an open mind, learn from other cultures and enjoy every moment.

TIP

Millions of pieces of luggage go missing every year on international flights. While most are found and returned to owners, it's helpful to keep tabs on your own bags, using a remote tracker such as LugLoc. See lugloc.com

NEWS

Navigator heading Down Under

While Regent Seven Seas' new, uber-luxury Seven Seas Explorer has just set sail in the Mediterranean after a glittering christening ceremony in Monte Carlo, the ship's smaller sister Seven Seas Navigator recently received a multimillion-dollar makeover. The 490-passenger ship will circumnavigate the globe in 2018 on a 137-night round-trip from Los Angeles that includes several new itineraries in the southern hemisphere. Departing on January 8, 2018, Navigator will visit five continents, 28 countries and 64 ports of call. Among the cruises closer to home are a 29-night sector from LA to Auckland (visiting Hawaii, French Polynesia, Samoa and Fiji); 19-night Auckland to Perth (visiting Sydney, Geelong, Adelaide, Port Lincoln and Esperance); and 16-night Perth to Singapore. See rssc.com

Japanese sojourn

Latitude 33's inaugural Cherry Blossoms and Chopsticks cruise tour starts on March 30, 2017, the perfect time to view the spectacular cherry blossoms that cover Japan. Over 26 nights, a small group of discerning travellers will enjoy a six-night escorted tour of Japan taking in highlights of Tokyo and Kyoto that include meeting local people at a Sumo demonstration, Geisha performances and cultural activities such as kimono wearing, calligraphy and the famous tea ceremony. An 18-night cruise on board the five-star, all-inclusive Seabourn Sojourn from Kobe to Hong Kong visits Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Busan and Seoul (South Korea), Yantai, Dailian, Beijing, Qingdao, Lianyungang and Xiamen (China); the tour ends with two nights at The Peninsula in Hong Kong. See latitude33.travel

Wine ambassadors return

APT is running its popular Wine Series European river cruises again next year. Four members of Australia's First Family of Wines, a collective of 12 of the country's leading multi-generational winemakers, will host cruises on the Rhone, Seine and Bordeaux region in France and on the 15-day Magnificent Europe itinerary from Amsterdam to Budapest. APT's Wine Ambassadors will bring with them a selection of their own wines to provide tasting sessions on board the cruise. They will also host special dinners paired with their own wines, lead excursions to wineries to meet local vintners, explain the nuances of traditional wine-making techniques and educate guests on European wine heritage and traditions. See aptouring.com.au

DEAL OF THE WEEK

Until August 31, P&O Cruises is accepting a $1 deposit on selected cruises departing after December 5, 2016. Also included are free upgrades to an oceanview cabin and on board credit ranging from $100 to $600 per cabin. There is also a variety of bonuses for past passengers, such as a complimentary meal in specialty restaurant Salt grill by Luke Mangan. Phone 13 24 94, see pocruises.com.au

MORE DEALS

CRUISEABOUT Sail from Sydney to New Zealand aboard Celebrity Solstice and receive a return flight from Auckland to Sydney, on board spending money and free drinks package when you book the 12-night cruise from Sydney to Auckland departing February 5, 2017. From $2227; deal available until sold out.

Phone 1300 450 133, see cruiseabout.com.au

CAPTAIN COOK FIJI Take the whole family on a voyage of discovery and fun with the Kids Eat, Play and Cruise Free deal. The offer is valid on all three-, four- and seven-night Yasawa Islands and North of Fiji cruises between August 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017, when booked by August 31, 2016. Fares for a family cabin for two adults and two children start from $2316 for the three-night cruise. Phone 02 9126 8160, see captaincookcruisesfiji.com

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