Muted colours, with tans, beiges and taupes to the for – Viking Star,  the newest ocean ship from the well know river cruise brand, had reviewers surprised that the vessel seemed so much like its famous family’s armada from the Danube.
But perhaps the one word that seemed to be missing from the early reviews was:  “Wow!”
Both USA Today and Travel Weekly’s reviews said the ship mirrors that of its sisters which have sailed down the European waterways for 20 years.
Some reviewers might have been tempted to call the Viking Star an Ikea on the sea – functional, attractive, but lacking something quite unique and flamboyant.
Travel Weekly said the line has focused on creating unfussy and modern-looking river ships, which has now translated to the highly anticipated Viking Star.
The 930-passenger vessel, which will be officially launched in May in Bergen, Norway but the critics have all said the Viking Star is just a bigger version of the river ships.
The design includes clean, white exteriors and true to form, comfortable and slick interiors.
The colours the designers have used are muted and neutral – lots of blues, browns which are the predominant colours.
The cabins and public spaces have lots of blonde wood with touches of leather which even cover the staircase handrails.
While the river ships have two and a half decks of passenger cabins, the ocean has six and has the same look at feel but on a larger canvas.
There are some features like the Aquavit Terrace dining venue, which the line has brought over from its river ships.
But the new facilities include a theatre, two cinemas, a Nordic inspired spa with a snow room and Finnish sauna, a gym, a firepit, an Armagnac bar and two pools which you will not find on Viking’s river ships.
The features onboard the ship includes a selection of free shore excursions, complimentary Wi-Fi as well as beer and wine served without charge and all cabins will have balconies.
But you won’t find casinos, evening entertainment and kid’s club onboard.
Viking Star also promises its guests it will feature more time in ports than its competitors and will have access to smaller ports that are off limits to today’s megaships.
The inaugural season features eight to 50 day sailings around the Baltic and Mediterranean starting at US$2,4999 per person.