Other highlights on board Viking Sea include The Wintergarden, an elegant space for afternoon tea; the Living Room, with its intriguing books and cafe; and the Star Theatre, with its movie star-themed cushions featuring the likes of Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman. One of the most remarkable things about Viking Sea and sister ship Viking Star, though, is the quality of the restaurants. The World Cafe is a spacious buffet-style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; the Aquavit Terrace is ideal for lunch or dinner al fresco;
The Chef’s Table offers an intimate atmosphere and cuisine based around the destinations on your itinerary. The real stars though have to be the Italian restaurant Manfredi’s, which has the look and feel of a classy New York trattoria and serves some of the best steaks you’ll ever taste at sea; and Mamsen’s, the charming Norwegian-style deli named after Viking’s Founder and Chairman Torstein Hagen’s mother. It’s a little haven offering open sandwiches, mouth-watering waffles and gateaux on pretty Scandi-style china, and as it’s located in the Explorers’ Lounge you can enjoy the outstanding views while you dine.On other cruise lines you might expect to pay a supplement to dine in the ‘speciality’ restaurants; not on Viking ocean ships, where all food is included in the price of your cruise, as well as Wi-Fi.
Special mention should also go to the on board boutiques, which are refreshingly chic and stylish, and stock everything from exquisite jewellery to handmade Scandinavian products.Viking Sea is a state-of-the-art ship, made for those who want to travel the world in contemporary luxury and style but feel instantly at home in calm, comforting spaces with every modern convenience at their fingertips. It’s a bit like sailing on a private yacht (there’s even an Owner’s Suite, complete with its own sauna and wine cabinet, for the ultimate ship-within-a-ship experience). An excellent addition to the Viking Cruises ocean fleet.