10 Things You Never Knew About Viking Star

We spent the weekend on board Viking Cruises’ first ocean-going ship, Viking Star, and it’s safe to say that we were impressed. We’ll be telling you all about it in due course but in the meantime, here are ten things you never knew about Viking Star.

1) Open flame isn’t allowed on cruise ships, so the ‘flames’ in the roaring fireplaces found in the LivNordic spa and the Explorer’s Lounge are actually created by lighted water vapour

2) The floor-to-ceiling windows in main dining room, The Restaurant, open in good weather, creating a huge alfresco dining space

3) Guests indulging with Afternoon Tea in the Wintergarden can choose from an amazing SEVENTY different teas

4) The ship’s wine and cheese tasting experience lasts one and a half hours and costs just $20

5) The World Café is the only buffet dining space at sea to feature its own open kitchen and the cheeriest chefs we’ve ever come across will knock you up anything from eggs benedict to pesto pasta or meatballs from scratch

6) The special six-course tasting menu experience at The Chef’s Table is included in your fare, as is the amazing Italian feast on offer in the private dining room at Manfredi’s

7) Manfredi’s private dining room features hidden TV screens, where guests can arrange for special birthday messages and congratulations from friends around the world to be broadcast

8) Mamsen is Norwegian for ‘mum’ and the black and white image on the exterior of Mamsen’s deli in the Explorer’s Lounge depicts the mother of Viking founder and CEO, Torstein Hagen, pulling his daughter Karine in a sledge. Torstein’s mother knew nothing about the tribute until her first time on board

9) You can have your freshly-made hot waffles from Mamsen’s topped with a Norwegian brown cheese known as Brunost. This sweet cheese has a taste often liked to that of a Caramac – our favourite retro chocolate bar!

10) The changing rooms in the LivNordic spa feature a cold water plunge pool and sauna, in addition to the extensive (and gorgeous!) facilities found in the main Thermal Suite