Viking Star
Viking Star class · Mediterranean, Caribbean & Bahamas
Launched in 2015 as Viking's first ocean cruise ship, Viking Star is a small ship of about 47,800 GT. With capacity for 930 guests, it has generous space relative to its size, so corridors and public areas are less likely to feel crowded. Every stateroom has a balcony, and there are no interior staterooms. Instead of casinos or children's facilities, it offers an outdoor heated pool, a spa with a snow room, a library-lined lounge, and space for educational programs about ports of call. Its itineraries focus on the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, with frequent winter sailings in the Caribbean.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9650418)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite
Japanese dishes on the menu
Japanese-speaking staff and menus
Payment in yen not accepted
Smoking in designated areas only
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholIncluded
- GratuitiesExtra charge
- Wi‑FiIncluded
- Specialty diningIncluded
- Shore excursionsIncluded
The fare is a single plan including all dining (including the two specialty restaurants Manfredi's and Chef's Table), house beer, house wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, coffee and tea throughout the day, free Wi-Fi in all cabins, one included excursion per port, and self-service laundry. Gratuities (approximately $20 per person per night) are not included in the fare and are added automatically (they can be changed and settled in cash). The Silver Spirits beverage package, including premium brands ($27 per person per day), Optional Excursions, and The Kitchen Table ($199–260 per person) are optional add-ons.
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)About $7 (estimated price when purchased individually. House beer during lunch and dinner is included in the fare and free)
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and waterAbout $4 (guide price for individual purchases; included in the fare with meals)
- Extra chargeDrink packageSilver Spirits: $27/person/day, covering premium-brand drinks and cocktails up to $18 per drink. All guests in the same room must enroll; includes 30% off premium wine.
- IncludedWi‑FiIncluded in the fare (free and unlimited in all cabins and areas; no higher-tier plan with additional fees)
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)$20.00/person/night (guideline; the amount can be changed or settled in cash at Guest Services)
- Extra chargeSpa (60 minutes)$139-$150 (50 minutes; full-body massage is the shortest menu; 60-minute standard menu unconfirmed)
- IncludedLaundrySelf-service laundry is free for guests in all cabins (washers, dryers, irons, and detergent included). Penthouse and higher categories also receive finished laundry, pressing, and shoe shining free of charge.
- Shore excursionsAt each port, the fare includes one "Included Excursion", such as a walking tour or a panoramic bus tour (advance reservation required). Premium "Optional Excursions" (about 5 to 10 types per port) cost extra.
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy), Barcelona (Spain), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Fort Lauderdale (US; Port Everglades)
- Departure ports: Rome (Civitavecchia), Barcelona, Venice, Istanbul, San Juan, Fort Lauderdale
- Ages 18 and over only
- Bright, calm, minimalist interiors based on Nordic design. Glass-fronted Explorers' Lounge and a Nordic-style spa create an atmosphere close to a quiet, refined boutique hotel.
- A fully adults-only design with no guests under 18, casino, or kids' club. The core clientele is intellectually curious seniors and affluent couples.
Has eliminated single-use plastics and introduced LED lighting, energy-saving air conditioning, and waste-sorting and recycling systems. Many ships also support cold ironing, connecting to shore power at ports. Viking Star itself is a conventional diesel-electric ship that entered service in 2015, while the company is pursuing fleet-wide environmental improvements, including plans to enter the world's first hydrogen-powered ship, Viking Libra, into service in 2026.
Ship character
- • Travelers seeking calm port-focused cruises
- • Two-adult trips prioritizing a quiet environment
- • Travelers able to take 10-plus-night itineraries
- • Families traveling with children
- • Travelers seeking casinos or night shows
- • Travelers requiring Japanese-language support
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
5 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- Personal blogEnglishAll Aboard The Viking Star!
thewholetraveler.com · Sailed Dec 16, 2024 · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishViking Star Cruise Review
jimzim.net · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- YouTubeEnglishAffiliate links disclosedViking Ocean Cruises Ship Tour || Viking Star Ship Tour || Mediterranean Odyssey
youtube.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishViking Star – A Taste of Something Different
solentrichardscruiseblog.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishViking Ocean Cruise Review — Viking Star
travel-monkey.net · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
Sources
- Officialvikingcruises.com(home page)
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Secondary sourcevesselfinder.com
- Secondary sourcecruisedeckplans.com
- Secondary sourcecruisedeckplans.com (2)
- Secondary sourcemccooltravel.com
- Secondary sourceadventuress-travel-magazine.com
- Secondary sourceblog.cruises-n-more.com
- Secondary sourceallthingscruise.com
- Secondary sourceshermanstravel.com
- Secondary sourceeatsleepcruise.com
- Secondary sourcetravelwithlolly.com
- Secondary sourcecruisefever.net
- Secondary sourceharrtravel.com
Source: Wikipedia “MV Viking Star” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Veranda The most basic category among all 465 rooms. At about 21 m² (excluding the approximately 4 m² balcony), it is the same size as Deluxe Veranda but is a lower-priced category without a minibar or priority booking benefits. Only 42 rooms are located on Deck 3. 42 cabins / Deck 3 only. | 21 m² (226 ft²) | 2 people King bed (can be split into twins on request). | Balcony |
Deluxe Veranda The same approximately 21 m² interior and approximately 4 m² balcony as Veranda, but with a replenished minibar. With 272 rooms, it is the most numerous category and a standard option widely distributed across Decks 3–8. 272 cabins / Decks 3-8. | 21 m² (226 ft²) | 2 people King bed (can be split into twins on request). | Balcony |
Penthouse Veranda Larger than the Veranda categories at about 26 m², with a sofa, coffee table, and easy chair. This category has 104 rooms and includes benefits such as priority reservations at specialty restaurants and complimentary finished laundry. 104 cabins / Decks 6-8. | 26 m² (280 ft²) | 2 people King bed (can be split into twins on request). | Balcony |
Penthouse Junior Suite At about 31 square meters, this is the first category designated as a suite. Of its 32 rooms, 2 rooms (#6020 and #6021) are wheelchair-accessible cabins with roll-in showers and expanded balconies, making it the only wheelchair-accessible category identified onboard. 32 cabins / Decks 6-8. | 31 m² (334 ft²) | 2 people King bed (can be split into twins on request). | BalconyAccessible |
Explorer Suite A 14-room category ranging from 43–65 m² (15–46 m² balcony). It has no dedicated butler, but offers extensive concierge-style priority services and a separate dining space. It is the tier below the Owner's Suite. 14 cabins / Decks 3-8 (distributed between forward and aft sections). | 43–65 m² (463–700 ft²) | 2 people King bed (can be split into twins on request). | Balcony |
Owner's Suite Viking Star's sole onboard example of this highest category, measuring about 123 sq m (balcony about 16 sq m). A dedicated butler handles everything from unpacking and restaurant reservations to arranging cocktail hour on the balcony, like a personal concierge. This personal service, unavailable in other cabins, is its defining feature. 1 cabins / Forward and starboard side of Deck 7. | 123 m² (1,324 ft²) | 2 people King bed (can be split into twins on request). | BalconyConcierge |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- Onboard currency
- USD
- Gratuities
- Gratuities are not included in the cruise fare. They are added automatically to your onboard account during the cruise, and at Guest Services you can change the amount or settle in cash. A separate service charge equivalent to 15% is automatically added to bar, beverage and deck service checks. It is customary to prepare cash separately for tips to local guides and drivers at ports of call.
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- Both 220V (European style) and 110V (US style) are provided in the cabin.
- Formal nights
- There are no formal nights. It is Viking's consistent policy that formal wear such as tuxedos and long dresses is not needed.
- Medical facilities
- Every ship has a medical center run by a medical partner company, with doctors and nurses on staff to handle sudden illness and emergencies. Consultations, treatment and medication are charged to your onboard account, and no specific fee schedule is published.
- Bringing items onboard
- Wine, champagne, beer and spirits can be brought on board at embarkation without limit. Alcohol purchased at ports of call can also be brought back and drunk on board. Drinking alcohol you have brought is unrestricted in your cabin, and in practice no corkage fee is charged even when drinking it in shared areas such as restaurants.
- Mobile and connectivity
- Regular land-based roaming is not available at sea. Depending on the sea area, satellite-based maritime roaming may connect, but it is not covered by regular international roaming plans and carries a risk of large bills. After departure, the usual precaution is to switch to airplane mode and use WhatsApp, FaceTime and the like over the free onboard Wi-Fi.
- Japanese support
- Staff PartialMenus —Announcements —
Dining
The main dining room at the aft of Deck 2. It uses open seating rather than fixed seating, allowing guests to dine without reservations.
Hours: Breakfast 8:00-9:30, lunch 12:00-13:30 (sea days only), and dinner 18:00-21:00. Open seating; no reservation required.
A buffet at the aft of Deck 7 centered on live stations rather than self-service. Pasta, grilled dishes, sushi, gelato, and more are included in the fare.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (not open all day; operates during meal periods).
One of the specialty restaurants on the aft starboard side of Deck 1, with no extra charge as a feature of Viking Ocean. It serves authentic Italian dishes such as calamari, swordfish, and Florentine-style T-bone steak.
Hours: Dinner only; advance reservations required.
A small-group dining venue at the aft port side of Deck 1. A five-course tasting menu and wine pairings are offered with a different theme every few days. Like Manfredi's, this specialty venue has no additional charge.
Hours: Dinner only; advance reservation required (strongly recommended)
A Norwegian snack counter in Explorers' Lounge named after the Hagen family's mother, Mamsen. It serves light fare from breakfast through snack time, including signature freshly baked waffles, and is included in the fare.
Hours: Breakfast through light-meal hours (operating in Explorers' Lounge)
Afternoon tea served in a lounge with floor-to-ceiling glass doors beside the main pool. Enjoy teas from around the world, tea ceremony demonstrations, live music, finger sandwiches, and warm scones.
Hours: Afternoon tea hours.
A casual grill counter where guests can order while relaxing by the pool. A salad bar is also available for lighter meals, making this an included snack spot.
Hours: Limited service hours on the pool deck, centered around lunch.
24-hour room service. Enjoy meals in your cabin or on your balcony at no extra charge.
Hours: 24 hours
Viking Ocean's only fully extra-charge dining experience, held in a private test kitchen aft on Deck 1. This small-group program for up to 8 guests includes a port-market tour, cooking class, and a course dinner with sommelier-led wine pairings over about 3 hours.
- Market tour + cooking class (private apron included) + course dinner with wine pairing alongside a sommelier (up to 8 guests)$199–260
Facilities and activities
An infinity pool and jacuzzi on the aft section of Deck 7 overlooking the ship's wake. One of the signature areas of the Viking Ocean class.
The main pool area amidships on Deck 7, with a retractable roof that opens and closes for year-round use regardless of weather.
A Nordic-style spa with a snow grotto, a heated pool at about 36 degrees C, a sauna, and a steam room. The shared thermal area is free for all guests, while individual treatments such as massages cost extra.
A fitness center beside the spa on Deck 1, with cardio and strength-training machines available free of charge.
An outdoor jogging and walking track circling the sports deck on Deck 9.
An open-air sports area on Deck 9, with an outdoor yoga space, a golf putting green, and deck games such as shuffleboard and bocce available free of charge.
The main entertainment venue on Deck 2, with ample seating for lectures and port-of-call talks.
2 small stadium-seating movie alcoves beside the Star Theater, showing films almost every evening.
A two-level observation lounge and bar at the forward end of Deck 7, with nightly live performances by guitarists, pianists, and classical trios. An iconic social space aboard the ship.
A piano bar near the atrium on Deck 2, where standard beer, wine, cocktails, and more are included in the fare.
A quiet library and lounge space on the upper level of the atrium on Deck 3, designed for reading and relaxation.
A boutique area along the promenade on Deck 2, selling clothing and ship-branded merchandise.
A hair salon inside the spa area on Deck 1. Cuts, coloring, nail services, and more are charged separately.