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Cruise Review: All serene at sea on Viking Venus

Launching Viking’s inaugural 32-day Grand Australia Circumnavigation roundtrip cruise, Viking Venus set sail from Sydney on 20 January 2025, travelling to two countries (Australia and Indonesia) and visiting six UNESCO sites on just one departure this year. Karryon hopped aboard the Townsville–Darwin segment to experience the Viking difference firsthand.

Launching Viking’s inaugural 32-day Grand Australia Circumnavigation roundtrip cruise, Viking Venus set sail from Sydney on 20 January 2025, travelling to two countries (Australia and Indonesia) and visiting six UNESCO sites on just one departure this year. Karryon hopped aboard the Townsville–Darwin segment to experience the Viking difference firsthand.

A Virtuoso Icon travel advisor told me three key factors influence her clients’ utmost satisfaction on a cruise: service, dining and accommodation. So, how does Viking Venus stack up? Read on to find out.

The ship

A vertical view of Viking Venus docked in Townsville. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
Stacks on – a vertical view of Viking Venus docked in Townsville.

Viking Venus debuted in 2021 and is the seventh ship in the now 10-strong ocean-going fleet. It’s an all-veranda small ship, so every stateroom has a private balcony, and the entire ship is decked out in Scandi cool colours of navy, blue and cream.

It’s neutral and nautical throughout the ship, stylishly curated with Nordic art and artefacts and clean design – no garish carpet and fussy furniture here.

There are 10 levels, including an outdoor sports deck and a lower medical centre. Viking Venus has 465 staterooms, which are situated on levels three to eight.

The faux fireplace in the Explorer's Lounge. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
The faux fireplace in the Explorer’s Lounge.

The ship is spacious and easy to navigate with the same layout as all other Viking ocean vessels – down to the placement of bars, restaurants and amenities, so previous guests will feel comfortable finding their way around.

Despite hosting 783 cruisers on the 930-capacity ship with an open-plan design, Viking Venus felt remarkably uncrowded and was incredibly quiet on my cruise. It was easy to find a nook to hide away and work or even enjoy an entire pool to myself for a couple of hours every day.

This is the ship’s maiden season in Australia and New Zealand.

Ship stateroom

Deluxe Veranda Stateroom bedroom with private balcony. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
Deluxe Veranda Stateroom bedroom with private balcony.

I’m cruising solo in a Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, so there’s ample space for one, although two adults will need to navigate around each other on the narrow path from the door to the bed.

The stateroom has a private balcony accessible through glass doors from the suite, a separate lounge and desk area with a complimentary minibar (restocked daily), a king-size bed, TV, plenty of wardrobe storage and a small bathroom with a shower and toilet.

Deluxe Veranda Stateroom bathroom. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
Deluxe Veranda Stateroom bathroom.

There is more than enough space to store all your belongings, including under the bed and shelves below the coffee machine flush with the bathroom. Likewise, the bathroom has room for your toiletries and the provided Freyja amenities.

The bed is plush and comfortable, and with smooth sailing conditions throughout my segment, I sleep soundly every night on Viking Venus.

I’m heartily welcomed aboard by my two very enthusiastic housekeepers (“We’re so excited to see you, Miss Cassandra,” Gerhard and Jhonson exclaimed at our first meeting on my second day at sea) plus a bottle of Chilean wine and a plate of berry macarons and the minibar selection of soft drinks, nuts and chocolate.

Onboard dining

Viking Venus Executive Chef Prasan Prakash Suvarna in Manfredi's Italian Restaurant. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
Viking Venus Executive Chef Prasan Prakash Suvarna in Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant.

However, with seven restaurants, 24/7 room service and five bars on board, I’m unlikely to go hungry at any time of the day.

Viking Venus has two restaurants: The Restaurant, the main and largest dining area offering an a la carte menu; and World Café, a casual bistro-style eatery with unassigned seating and buffet and served meal options.

The Restaurant on Viking Venus. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
The Restaurant is Viking Venus’ main dining space.

There are also two specialty restaurants requiring reservations: Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant and The Chef’s Table, which offers a curated culinary experience and a menu reflecting the region (on my cruise segment, it was Asian cuisine).

Viking Venus The Restaurant dinner meal of miso-glazed king prawn. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
Viking Venus‘ The Restaurant dinner meal of miso-glazed king prawn.

In addition, cruisers can choose casual dining from the Pool Grill (think burgers and hotdogs), Norwegian cuisine from Mamsen’s (in Explorer’s Lounge) and The Living Room (coffee and café fare). There’s also afternoon high tea served daily in the Wintergarden and room service if you don’t want to leave your suite.

The Restaurant meals aboard Viking Venus include the likes of spice-crusted tuna takaki and cauliflower and lentil stew. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
The Restaurant meals include the likes of spice-crusted tuna takaki and cauliflower and lentil stew.

Food options rotate daily in the restaurants and Viking also mixes it up with specialty dining such as fish and chips for dinner or a mussels bar for lunch.

I take a one-hour guided galley tour with Executive Chef Prasan Prakash Suvarna, who shares that Viking Venus adheres to the same classic dishes as other ships with some discretion to the menu in different regions.

Cooks at work give the thumbs up on the ship galley tour of Viking Venus. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
Cooks at work give the thumbs up on the ship galley tour.

Viking also caters for guests with dietary requirements – you’ll find items are clearly labelled – and the specialty restaurants will also accommodate any requests.

Plant-based burger and chips at the Pool Grill on Viking Venus. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
Plant-based burger at the Pool Grill.

Thirsty? Wait staff are never far away to offer a beverage and if you frequent a certain bar (or two), they’ll know your drink after the first order. There are several drinks service areas on board – Aquavit Bar on the outside deck, Pap’s Bar (in Explorer’s Lounge), Pool Bar, The Living Room and Torshavn (open after 9pm). Cocktails are priced from $11 and there’s a decent list of wine and spirits.

Amenities and activities

The Star Theater on Viking Venus. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
The Star Theater hosts port talks, lectures by experts and documentary screenings.

Viking famously has no casinos and no kids on board, so don’t expect any features that light up or go fast. Instead, the ship’s entertainment focuses on cultural enrichment, such as lectures and documentaries in the Star Theater and live music or entertainment.

Other onboard diversions include games and hosted trivia, boutique shopping, two small pools (both on level 7) and perusing the array of art and artefacts with commentary available through a headset.

Upper level of Explorer's Lounge on Viking Venus with man looking through a telescope and model ships. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
The upper level of the Explorer’s Lounge is whisper quiet.

Many guests opt for relaxation on board in tranquil spaces such as the two-level Explorer’s Lounge, which was a personal favourite to work from ship (WFS?), and the library areas where cruisers could be found sprawled with a book in comfy seats.

Onboard tours of the galley, bridge and laundry are offered on set days booked through Guest Services. On my cruise segment, I also experienced a memorable shore excursion in Cairns, featuring an Indigenous guided tour in Mossman Gorge.

Cruise passengers walk around an open fire for a smoking ceremony as part of the Indigenous-led Mossman Gorge tour. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
Cruisers during the smoking ceremony on the Indigenous-led Mossman Gorge excursion.

Other Viking guests also raved about their experiences, ranging from included options of the Cairns Aquarium to optional excursions such as snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

Foodie guests can also sign up for The Kitchen Table for a chef-led culinary experience to learn how to create and plate regional dishes in the bespoke area.

Wellness at sea

Outdoor bowls on Viking Venus deck. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
Game on! The top level is an outdoor Sports Deck.

Clean eating is no longer separate from the cruising experience. On Viking Venus, guests can choose all-day healthy eating options from World Cafe with fresh sushi from the sushi chef on board, poké bowls and salads plus sliced fruit on offer.

The Fitness Center is well-equipped with weight and cardio equipment, free weights and an area for stretching or yoga, ensuring you can keep up your routine at sea. It’s not overly busy in the mornings so I didn’t have to queue for treadmills during my cruise.

Viking Venus also hosted a sunrise yoga class (for an additional $10 fee) during my cruise and has an outdoor sports deck with games and a yoga area.

The Liv Nordic Spa waiting room on Viking Venus. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
The elegant waiting room of the Liv Nordic Spa.

For holistic wellbeing, the Liv Nordic Spa offers a range of treatments and amenities. These include a thermal spa area, cold plunge pool, sauna, facial and body treatment rooms and a hair and nail salon.

Signature treatments include the Northern Stillness with a body scrub and mask, full body massage and Nordic scalp ritual for 110 minutes of pure bliss. Sadly, the Nordic Bathing Night wasn’t offered during my cruise dates, however Viking’s hot sauna-snow grotto combo is definitely one to put on your list.

The details:

The Sun Deck on Viking Venus. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
The Sun Deck on Viking Venus.
  • Ship: Viking Venus
  • Stateroom: 4103 – Deluxe Veranda Stateroom
  • Itinerary: 32-day Grand Australia Circumnavigation Jan-Feb 2025
  • Segment: Townsville – Darwin
  • Passengers: 783 (930 capacity)
  • Crew: 459

Cruise conclusion

Infinity Pool overlooking the Coral Sea on Viking Venus. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
The Infinity Pool on Level 7 has views across the Coral Sea.

It’s surprisingly easy to settle into a rhythm on Viking Venus with everything at my fingertips. I start my day in the Fitness Center before swinging by The Living Room on level 1 for a barista-made coffee and vegan muffin (shout out to the unflappable Patcha for my daily caffeine fix) and then up to Mamsen’s on level 7 for a bowl of fresh berries and a chat with Tony, the only Ghanian on board as he informs me.

I work from the upper level of the Explorer’s Lounge on level 7 on sea days where it’s so quiet you can hear a pin drop and then glide across to the infinity pool – looking over the edge as we cross three different seas (!) never gets old.

The Explorer's Lounge on Viking Venus. Image: Cassie Tannenberg
The Explorer’s Lounge on Viking Venus is decked out in Scandi cool style.

Afternoons are spent languidly reading, chatting to fellow cruisers, exploring the ship and lunching at the Pool Grill and I’m spoilt for choice with dinner and drinks where the bartenders know both my name and my preferred drink. The service is friendly yet unobtrusive and the ship’s team is always readily available with a smile and assistance.

This is a slow-paced ship for travellers who prefer peace and quiet to relax and read and to come together in the occasional company of like-minded cruisers at their leisure.

Guests watching NFL game on big screen on the Pool Deck on Viking Venus.
Guests were treated to a mussels station and an NFL game for lunch during the cruise.

When asked about the Viking difference, the ship’s General Manager Mike Mahn concurred with my cruise expert: it’s all about the staff, he said. And after five days of feeling welcomed and looked after as a solo cruiser, I’d definitely agree.

Viking Orion will return to offer two Grand Australia Circumnavigation departures on 30 December 2025 and 27 February 2027.

For more info, visit viking.com.au

Cassie was a guest of Viking.