Viking Orion Ship Inspection

We recently had the opportunity to conduct a ship inspection of the Viking Orion during the ship’s New Zealand cruise. Setting sail from Sydney the night before, the Viking Orion cruised down the east coast overnight and ported in Melbourne. Arriving at our ship inspection at 1:15pm we were greeted with surprisingly warm weather from Melbourne and a very busy port with Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder ship also docking around the same time.

Layout & Introduction

Viking Orion has a capacity of 930 guests, making it a relatively small ocean cruise ship. Being 1 of 10 in the fleet, it was built in 2018 and embodies a Scandinavian elegance with its interior and exterior appearance and details. The Viking Ocean fleet stands out for its uniformity in design, with each ship meticulously crafted to mirror the layout of its counterparts.

This consistency guarantees a seamless experience of the highest quality, offering direct accessibility to most ports regardless of the cruising destination. Having 10 of the same style ships in its entire ocean fleet may deter some from seeking novelty in their cruise experiences, however, Viking ensures a reliable standard of excellence and is why they are rated #1 for Oceans, Rivers and Expedition cruises. 

When we first boarded, the first thing we noticed was the ship’s interior reflecting the strong Nordic roots of its owner, Torstein Hagen. From the stairways artwork through to the lighting, materials utilised in common areas and the colour palette throughout – Viking Orion exudes modern sophistication.

We were greeted with an introduction in the main foyer where we were told some history about Viking and the exciting news of two more ocean ships joining the Viking fleet in 2024/25. Torstein Hagen, chairman and owner of Viking, ensures a pleasurable experience for customers  onboard the ship with a strict no-list that many other cruise lines don’t have.

The Viking NO list is:

No casinos

No children under 18

No photographers 

No Art auctions

No charge for beer and wine with meals

No charge for WIFI

No charge for specialty dining

No charge for use of self-self laundry

No entrance fee for the spa 

No inside staterooms

No waiting in lines

No formal nights

No smoking

We ventured through the Nordic Spa and Fitness centre first, (which we’ll go into more detail later) through to the ship’s two specialty restaurants and other dining and bar areas (read below). We finished with an inspection of the Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, which was unfortunately the only room available for viewing due to Viking Orion being booked at almost capacity – a great sign

Viking Orion Staterooms And suites

Viking Orion offers a range of stateroom options, each designed to reflect Scandinavian elegance and ensure maximum comfort for guests. All staterooms feature standard amenities such as a king-size bed, heated bathroom flooring and plush robes and slippers – highlighting the ship’s luxury feel.

The ship offers a diverse range of cabin types to suit different preferences and requirements. The Veranda Cabin, serving as the entry level option, provides 25 sqm of space and a 3pm embarkation time. For guests seeking additional amenities, the Deluxe Veranda offers similar spacious accommodations but with an earlier embarkation time of 2pm, along with a stocked mini-bar and priority reservations in onboard dining venues. We had the opportunity to view this room and overall found it spacious in comparison to other ship’s equivalents. 

The Penthouse Verandah emerges as a popular choice, boasting 31 sqm of space, a 1pm embarkation time, and extra perks like a welcome bottle of champagne, and priority dining reservations. 

For guests, seeking elevated luxury, the Penthouse Junior Suite offers 38 sqm of space with complimentary laundry services, while the exclusive Explorer Suites provide opulent living areas and spa-like bathrooms. If you’re looking to go all out luxury, the Owner’s Suite spans 135 sqm, resembling a private apartment at sea. It is also complete with a dining room, boardroom and various additional benefits for an exceptional cruising experience.

Viking Onboard Dining 

Viking prides themselves on ‘destination-focused’ dining with a regional cuisine styled menu, ‘always available classics’ and the most al fresco dining at sea. Viking Orion offers guests to indulge in a variety of cuisines across eight dining venues with 2 specialty restaurants both available to book at no extra charge. 

Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant provides an intimate dining experience with family or friends, named after Torstein Hagen’s good friend and chairman of Silversea Cruises, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio. 

The Chef’s Table is the other specialty dining restaurant on board which we unfortunately only saw half set up as they were preparing for dinner service. It offers a multi-course degustation menu, where sommeliers serve select vintages and thoughtfully prepared dishes to pair. 

Both restaurants evoke a ‘hotel’ ambience, where the interior is carefully designed, extending to every detail, including the chairs. Mr Hagen’s preference for functionality is evident, as he ensured that all chairs on the Viking Orion feature a square back design to prevent coats or bags from slipping off, enhancing the dining and relaxation experience for guests.

The other 6 dining options we briefly explored onboard Viking Orion included ‘The Restaurant’ – the main dining venue; ‘The World Café’ – open kitchen style with a wide selection of cuisines; ‘Aquavit Terrace’ – connected to the The World Café, a great place to dine alfresco style.

The dining options continued with ‘Mamsen’s’ – Norwegian inspired by Norstein Hagen’s mother, with her original waffle recipe and other deli & sweet treats offered throughout the day; ‘The Wintergarden’ – where afternoon-tea is held near the pool; ‘The Pool Grill’ – another buffet style restaurant located around the pool. 

24-hour room service is also available on board Viking Orion along with an interactive experience called ‘The Kitchen Table’. At an extra charge of $199 per person, you can experience an interactive cooking and eating experience. 

You’ll join the ship’s chef on a journey to the local market on shore and pick out fresh ingredients for that night’s meal. Depending on how much you wish to be involved you can get your hands dirty and cook the meal yourself under instructions from the chef or let him cook it for you.

Additional Viking Features 

During our ship inspection on the Viking Orion, we were shown a range of different features that Viking offered to guests both on and off the ship. Onboard, we explored the Nordic Spa which is based on the Scandinavian tradition of hot and cold therapy, featuring a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna and snow grotto. Spa treatments and hair appointments are also available at additional costs to guests. Viking’s fitness centre held a range of treadmills, stationary spin bikes, cross trainer machines and free weights as well as timetabled yoga and pilates classes.

An exclusive feature with the cruise line is their extensive offering of complimentary  beer and wine with lunch and dinner, as well as soft drinks, tea/coffee and bottled water. 

While most competitors offer an upgrade of alcoholic beverages onboard, Viking includes this in the cost of the cruise. There is a silver spirits package available at USD$25 per person per day – which includes premium wines, sparkling wines, international beers and a selection of spirits. 

Entertainment on board Viking Orion stretches from guest lecturers, destination performances, destination movies, historians and musicians performing or presenting in the ship’s Star Theatre. Having a capacity of 450 passengers, with soft and spacious sofa seating and pillows, it’s a great place to unwind after a day of exploring a new city.

Viking Ship Inspection Summary 

Our ship inspection onboard the Viking Orion was nothing short of luxury, finishing with canapes,caviar and a glass of champagne. From boarding the Viking Orion and viewing what the ship has to offer, it’s clear how Viking has established its self as the world’s leading small ship cruise line.

For those interested in an intimate, small-ship cruising experience, the Viking Orion is a great option. With diverse dining options, catered spacious staterooms and great features like the Nordic spa, it provides all you could need while on your cruise ship journey.

For further information on small ship cruising, check out our deal page.

To book your next Viking cruise, get in touch with a Tour + Cruise specialist today!