Viking Vesta

Every stateroom is double occupancy with a private veranda. Interior design reflects the overall ethos of Scandinavian simplicity and serenity–soothing pale woods with a palette of cream and blue. Standard stateroom amenities include U.S., European, and USB outlets, flat-screen television, safe, minibar and refrigerator, hair dryer, umbrella, and ample storage with full-length closets and space underneath beds for luggage. Cabins also include a comfortable sitting area with a coffee table, desk, and beds that can be configured into two twins or one king. 

Heated floors, large glass-enclosed showers, and contemporary design make the bathrooms feel like spas. Plush robes, slippers, and the Nordic line of Freyja toiletries add to the feeling of being pampered. 

Since every stateroom has its own veranda, the main distinctions are size and added perks depending on cabin category. The Veranda and Deluxe Veranda are actually the same size (288 square feet), but Deluxe Verandas come with a coffee maker, binoculars, a cozy Norwegian throw blanket, one-hour earlier cabin access upon embarkation, and earlier access to specialty dining reservations. 

The Penthouse Veranda provides more space (338 square feet) and earlier booking perks. The suites provide even earlier booking benefits, complimentary laundry service, and more space. The ship’s lavish Owner’s Suite features a separate bedroom, a six-person dining area, and its own sauna.

Like Viking’s entire ocean fleet, Vesta has two wheelchair-accessible staterooms: Penthouse Junior Suites 6020 and 6021. Though Vesta’s theater and restaurants can accommodate wheelchairs, guests must be able to walk, as embarkation/disembarkation are via stairs and there is no wheelchair ramp. Viking says motorized scooters are not suitable for their ships, and daily included excursions often involve walking on cobblestone or steps.

Guests with disabilities must travel with an able-bodied companion who can assist them, as Viking staff are not permitted to lift guests or push wheelchairs. There are elevators, but there are no chairlifts to help guests access the pools or hot tubs.

Culinary experiences range from casual eateries and a cruise buffet to an upscale multi-course tasting menu. Unique to Viking is that all restaurants are included in the base fare, including the two specialty restaurants. The Chef’s Table offers a set tasting menu and wine pairing that changes nightly, while Manfredi’s offers the same menu of homemade pastas and Italian specialties throughout the cruise. Both restaurants require reservations and have private dining rooms that seat 12 and can be booked at no extra cost. 

Food quality is excellent, and service at all the restaurants is

attentive and gracious. None of Vesta’s restaurants gets crowded or has long lines, and waitstaff are not as hurried as one might experience on other cruises.

The main dining room, simply called The Restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with open seating featuring a menu that changes daily, reflecting the cruise itinerary. Vesta waitstaff eagerly accommodate dietary restrictions, and menus in all restaurants are marked for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and no sugar added.

Many passengers choose to partake in nightly sushi and carving stations at the World Cafe buffet, with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. Themed buffet nights reflect the ports being visited. There are also seafood-themed nights with lobster, king crab, snow crab, clams, and massive shrimp. The buffet includes a salad bar, pizza station, and ice cream and gelato station.

The glass-enclosed Wintergarden is popular for its daily afternoon tea accompanied by live musicians. While Mamsen’s, adjacent to the Explorer’s Lounge, is popular for breakfast waffles or a quick lunch of soup and open-faced sandwiches. 

The Pool Grill offers salads, hamburgers, vegetarian burgers, and hot dogs. Another option is complimentary room service, including hot and cold breakfast items, as well as a wide menu for lunch and dinner.

A unique dining experience offered at an additional cost is The Kitchen Table. Guests join Vesta chefs for a market visit in port, culminating in a private cooking class and dinner.

House beer and wine are included at lunch and dinner. If you purchase the $27/day Silver Spirits beverage package, higher-end wines, beers, and cocktails are available at any time. Unlike most cruise lines, there is no drink package necessary for soda, specialty coffee, sparkling water, juices, or the popular afternoon tea. Those drinks are all included. 

Located in the central atrium, The Living Room is a cafe and bar with comfortable seating, perfect for conversation or a board game or cards while enjoying a martini or glass of wine as the resident pianist performs on the grand piano.

The Explorers Lounge in the ship’s bow, with floor-to-ceiling windows, offers cozy seating and desk-height tables perfect for sending out emails or taking care of business on a laptop. Nightly live music makes this a popular spot. 

Torshavn is a popular lounge with nightly live music and dancing. Deck 7 has two bars- one by the main pool and another by the smaller aft pool. 

Rather than focusing on hi-tech Vegas-style productions, Viking offers cultural enrichment and intellectual engagement. The ship’s resident historian and guest lecturers give daily presentations in the theatre, where movies are also shown. The theatre also occasionally hosts local performers to highlight the port’s cultural heritage. 

Nightly live music, dancing, and trivia games can be found in the lounges. The ship has a handful of resident singers and dancers whose performances feature popular music from bands like ABBA, Motown legends, or other golden oldies of rock ‘ n ‘ roll.

The spa, fitness center, and salon are all connected on Deck 1. Unlike many cruise lines, there is no cost to use Vesta’s world-class Nordic Spa facilities. Guests can relax in the sauna or steam room, then follow up with a cold bucket shower, or even step inside the snow grotto, filled with actual snow. There is also a small pool and hot tub alongside a fireplace and heated lounge chairs. 

Spa treatments range from massages to facials, with the Scandinavian-inspired hygge massage being one of the most popular. A beauty salon offers men’s and women’s haircuts and styling, manicures, and pedicures. 

The complimentary fitness center has treadmills, stationary bikes, and weight machines, allowing guests to exercise while looking out at the ocean. No exercise classes are offered. The sports deck offers shuffleboard, mini golf, ping pong, and bocce, and a jogging/walking track is on deck 2.

Deck 7 is home to the heated main pool and hot tub surrounded by high-end chaise lounges and furnishings under a retractable dome, offering a calm oasis in any weather. Off the stern of the ship, an outdoor glass-backed infinity pool and hot tub allow guests to swim surrounded by the ocean.