In The News: The New Viking Star Cruise Ship

With many cruise liners in the news, travelers are eager for a glimpse of the Viking Star -- the much-awaited first ocean ship from river cruise giant Viking. Viking is a fast growing company and the move into ocean cruising comes as the company increasingly dominates the world of river cruising. The line last month christened 12 new river ships, on top of 18 vessels added in 2014. The company now has 64 river ships in all. 

The Viking Star is the prototype for at least two but more likely many more new ocean vessels. Scheduled to be christened in May in Bergen, Norway, Viking Star is being hailed by some as the most significant new cruise ship of the year. Compared to the mega ships of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, the Viking Star is a third the size, but is designed to mix onboard elegance with a focus on destinations that Viking executives say has been lost across much of the cruise industry in recent years.

Supposedly the Viking Star's itineraries will feature more time in ports than at many other lines, and it is being said that shore excursions will be included in the price, not common among the other lines. Don’t frown at the ship’s smaller size, the Viking Star will be able to access smaller ports that often are off limits to today's megaships.

The Viking Star, a 930 passenger vessel, has a modern Scandinavian design that echoes what is found on Viking's river ships. Cabins are large for a cruise ship, with the smallest of five cabin categories having 270 square feet of space. In addition, every cabin has a balcony. Fourteen two-room suites on the ship range from 757 to 1,448 square feet and offer sweeping views from wrap-around private balconies.

Viking encourages you to expand your horizons on comfortable, state-of-the-art ships, intimate and thoughtfully created by experienced nautical architects and designers to enrich your interaction with your destination in every way.  Everything is set in tasteful elegance and designed to deliver a life-enriching experience that stays with you forever. 
What can you expect on these cruises? 

There is the Wintergarden, perfect for a calming cup of tea; a Library, packed with books to add to your knowledge or try the Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of wellness. 

Also onboard you can attend inspiring talks that help you understand every destination in depth. The company believes the best way to understand a country is through enrichment. Each cruise is thoughtfully curated with hand-picked itineraries so you can immerse yourself in history, music, art, cuisine, everything you need to know about your destination. 

The ships offer multiple restaurant venues and unique dining experiences, from cafes and pool grills to wine-pairing menus and regional specialties. Savor the rustic Tuscan cuisine of Manfredi's Italian Restaurant and sample a delicious array of global and destination-based cuisine at the World Café. 

As with all cruise liners you can’t forget about the pool. You can swim surrounded by your destination in the glass-backed Infinity Pool cantilevered off the stern or experience the Main Pool, complete with a retractable roof. The main pool is where you can enjoy an outdoor movie as you sail under a canopy of stars.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you get there and if you want to stay in comfort rather than camping out we can help. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
602-843-5100
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