Northern Ireland Travel News were invited onboard to experience the luxury that Viking Sun have to offer as she docked in Belfast. This is to be her first (and only) stop in Northern Ireland as she travels 55,700 nautical miles across six continents on the world’s longest ever continuous cruise.
This epic 245-day journey will visit a total of 53 countries and dock in 113 of the world’s greatest cities and ports.
Gemma Weir, our journalist on board said: “The Viking Sun has completely nailed the balance of homely comfort and pure luxury. This is a ship that oozes sophistication with beautiful understated elegance, while still accommodating practical comfort. I could sit there by the window with my feet up, glass of bubbly in hand, reading one of the ships library books and quite literally, watch the whole world go by.”
The entire ambiance onboard is relaxed, the decor has been carefully thought out and the fresh theme flows throughout the ship. The walls are strewn with wonderful artwork, from paintings to Bayeux tapestries that feature on the stairwells. Open spaces, light coloured woods, natural light and Scandinavian design make Viking Sun a perfect way to travel the world in style and comfort.
Gemma said: “Every tiny detail has been thought through. Even the public bathroom areas have the gentle chirping of birds or waterfalls playing through the sound system to elevate that awkward wait for someone to turn the hand dryer on! Everything on Viking Sun is well considered and beautiful for guests who are onboard for up to 245 days, that’s a long time to be surrounded by opulence but nowhere to put your feet up. Viking have obviously understood that and have created the most comforting space.”
Design and space aren’t the only things on offer with Viking Sun; the facilities and entertainment onboard are vast and varied. Everything from a spot of guided meditation, yoga and cookery classes are available; or for the more intellectually inclined, lectures by guest speakers and documentaries are scheduled frequently. Come evening, the Viking Band hits the stage as guests are invited to take the floor and dance beneath the stars on deck.
Food is never in short supply in the Viking world. There are multiple dining options available onboard, from fine dining, regional specialities, Manfredi’s Italian restaurant serving freshly made pasta, gourmet burgers Alfresco style, to a more intimate dining experience at The Chef’s Table offering a multi-course tasting menu with wine parings. Perhaps it was excellent forward planning to make space for a well equipped gymnasium onboard too!
Viking are proud of their heritage, they have a Viking museum onboard and honour time old Nordic traditions. One of which is the the transportation of Aquavit, a traditional Scandinavian spirit. Six barrels of which gently age below deck in large oak casks. It is believed that Aquavit matures best on sea voyages with the motion and temperature changes of the sea. When the spirt has completed its circumnavigation of the globe, it is bottled in Norway as Vikings’ exclusive Aquavit blend.
“I was endeared to Viking as I learned of a real connection to their Nordic roots. You can see evidence of that as you make your way through the ship. Even the food selection, which although is wonderfully local and fresh to each port destination, the Nordic vibe still manages to filter it’s way through. The food, the art, the honoured traditions, the style. It’s all just wonderful. I loved hearing how the ‘blue nose’ ceremony is upheld on the ship. Traditionally, sailors who cross the Artic circle would take a plunge into icy waters and emerge a true Viking, getting a smudge of blue paint on their nose. Viking go all in for the tradition, filling up their indoor pool with ice on the lead up to the ceremony, to make true Vikings of any of their first mates who are game enough to brave the chill.
“The world is our oyster, and there are so many ways to explore it these days, but surely this has to be a pretty awesome option?” Gemma added as her visit came to a close and she reluctantly had to disembark and leave the fare paying passengers to the rest of their truly epic world wide adventure.
As disinclined as she was to leave Viking Sun, Gemma noted on her departure: “Perhaps it’s wise that I disembark at this point. One glass of champagne later and I’m rifling through my handbag looking for my credit card to make a reservation! This is definitely the life for me.”
