Travel Associates Cronulla business leader Lisa Knight gives an exclusive review of her first cruise on a Viking ocean ship.
After an amazing cruise on the Great Lakes of Canada and the USA with my partner Sean Rorie aboard Viking’s expedition ship, the Viking Polaris, we were very excited to experience a Viking Ocean voyage for the first time.
Until now, my closest experience with Viking’s ocean ships had been through a few ship inspections on Sydney Harbour.
Our cruise was aboard the Viking Vesta on the Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary, sailing from Rome to Barcelona.
The stateroom and life on board
Our stateroom was a Deluxe Verandah (DV4) which was extremely comfortable for our week of sailing. The bed felt like sleeping on a cloud – very welcome after a long flight from Sydney.
The bathroom was a great size with plenty of storage space for all the bits and pieces I tend to pack and never use. There was also ample space for our clothes, with generous hanging space and enough drawers. The balcony was a lovely spot to sit in the afternoon with a glass of champagne and watch the world go by.
During the day, Viking hosted port talks in the theatre, focused on upcoming ports and designed to enhance our time ashore.
With such a full itinerary and a port at every stop, we tended to enjoy early nights after dinner. That said, we did make sure to experience one of the shows (a Beatles tribute) and what a fun night it was. Unfortunately, none of us can give up our day jobs based on the singing that followed!
Tucked away in a cosy space was one of our most memorable nights with some of the girls in the group showing off their dance skills. Torshavn became the place to be later in the evening – the singers and live band were fantastic and definitely a hidden gem for those not in the know.
Wine and dine
With specialty dining included and available when making our bookings, we found there was an incredible amount of choice on board.
Breakfast offered plenty of healthy options in the World Café, or when open, we enjoyed The Restaurant, where eggs Benedict with proper table service and a cup of tea was a highlight.
For lunch, Mamsen’s was perfect for a quick bite and a fruit bowl, and, of course, we had to try the famous heart‑shaped waffle – a must‑do!
Dinner offered an abundance of choices. Should we opt for a fillet steak at Manfredi’s, a BBQ at the Pool Grill, or à la carte dining in The Restaurant? Decisions weren’t easy!
As part of the Viking famil, we were also lucky enough to enjoy two hosted private dining experiences at Manfredi’s and The Chef’s Table, complete with excellent wines and some very special bonding moments with the group.
Wellness
After many luxury ship inspections on Sydney Harbour, I can confidently say the spa area on the Viking Vesta rates as one of the best and most visually pleasing I have ever encountered – getting to actually experience it was something special.
After soaking in the warm spa, followed by a refreshing visit to the Snow Grotto (including the brave pull of the bucket and a splash of icy water!), it was easy to see why this area is such a standout, and all included in the fare. What a treat.
Then there were the pools. Even in colder weather, the main pool area is enclosed, making it a practical, all‑weather space.
I’ve been on many ships where cold or rainy conditions make the pool deck depressing and unused – not here. We were able to swim at any time of day, regardless of the weather, with the area beautifully heated.
We also couldn’t resist a dip in the infinity pool at the rear of the ship when the sun came out, complete with a piña colada enjoyed on the back deck.
Out and about
Every day was a shore excursion day. Viking has an included shore excursion in every port, and it’s best to pre‑book these when your cabin category allows, as waiting until on board can mean your preferred option is sold out.
There are also ‘Optional Shore Excursions’ at an additional cost, which are well worth considering if you have a special interest in a destination.
Sean and I spent plenty of time discussing which excursions would best enhance our experience, some chosen for sentimental reasons and others simply because they were must‑dos.
Nearly 40 years ago, I visited Pisa, but never took the iconic photo in front of the Leaning Tower. This time, from the Florence port, I ticked the photo off my list and was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed Pisa. It was far more charming than I remembered.
In Tuscany, we went to San Gimignano, a UNESCO‑listed medieval hill town. We loved wandering through the town, admiring its many towers, before heading to the family‑run winery ‘Fattoria San Donato’ for a beautiful picnic‑style lunch, tasting some of the family wines.
In Marseille, our famil group visited the coastal winery ‘Domaine de Fregate’, where we sampled several of the family’s wines in a cave‑like setting. We then travelled on to the hilltop village of Le Castellet, enjoying sweeping countryside views, and even hearing the distant sound of F1 engines in the background!
Sète was a surprise port for us, as we’d never heard of it before. After a two‑hour walking tour exploring the town’s history, we settled into the enclosed food market to sample local wines and regional delicacies.
One of our favourite stops was Barcelona. On our previous visit, we’d done an e‑bike tour, but this time we were told we simply had to go inside the Sagrada Familia, and we were so lucky. The cross had only been placed on top of the Basilica three days before our visit.
With 2026 marking 100 years since Gaudí’s death, it felt incredibly special to witness this moment. The interior is one of the most breathtaking sights I’ve ever seen. Sean and I could have stayed there all day without saying a word. We’ve since told everyone heading to Barcelona to go inside, book a private tour, and let the guide bring it all to life.
The verdict
Sean and I loved the entire experience. Having most of your holiday included in one upfront price and only unpacking once makes a Mediterranean cruise our number one option.
With the euro not being kind to the Australian dollar, the value of having meals included, beverages taken care of with the Silver Spirits Beverage Package, and so many inclusions onboard is hard to compare.
The quality of the food, the exceptional service from the crew, the entertainment, and the many quiet, private spaces throughout the ship all stood out.
You can choose to do as much or as little as you like, which is what makes a Viking Ocean voyage such an easy and enjoyable holiday. Highly recommended by this luxury cruiser, in fact, we were so impressed that we’ve already booked our next Viking voyage!
For more information, visit Travel Associates Cronulla and Viking.
