Viking Venus: Ultimate Guide

If your idea of the perfect holiday involves crisp ocean air, zero children, and a glass of wine while gliding past snow-capped peaks or ancient temples, Viking Venus might just be your new favourite ship.

Viking Venus is for grown-ups who like their cruises calm, cultured, and a little bit Scandinavian. Think private verandas for every cabin, destination-focused dining, and amazing itineraries. Launched in 2021, she’s one of Viking Ocean’s newer small ocean ships, carrying just 930 guests and designed with thoughtful simplicity.

Here’s everything you need to know about Viking Venus’ 2025/26 season, from where she’s sailing to what’s on the menu, and why this ship might be your next go-to escape.

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2025/26 Itineraries and Destinations

If you’re a fan of misty fjords, Japanese gardens, or cruising past glaciers with a glass of red in hand, Viking Venus has your name written all over it. In 2025 and 2026, she’s off exploring some pretty spectacular corners of the globe.

Starting in April 2025, Viking Venus kicks things off with a bang, sailing from Yokohama to Vancouver over 24 days. It’s the ultimate blend of culture and nature: temples, sushi, and cherry blossoms on one end, bald eagles and icebergs on the other. Then she spends the northern summer cruising Alaska, running 10-day voyages between Vancouver and Seward. Expect the kind of jaw-dropping scenery and wildlife you can’t really capture on social media.

Come October, she circles back to Asia, cruising from Japan to Hong Kong, and then starts making her way to our side of the world, via Sydney and on to Auckland. By early 2026, she’s going full New Zealand mode with 14-day itineraries between Auckland and Sydney, with options to head further north to places like Bali.

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Dining and Culinary Experience

The food on Viking Venus feels more like an upscale dinner party than a mass-catering operation, and it’s all included.  At the heart of it is The Restaurant, the main dining spot, where the menus change daily and reflect the places you’re visiting. Docked in Naples? Expect a cracking seafood risotto. Sailing through Alaska? Bring on the crab and fish.

Then there’s Manfredi’s, the Italian joint that’s quickly become a fan favourite. Think hearty, honest, flavour-packed meals done right, without trying to reinvent the wheel.

If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, The Chef’s Table offers rotating multi-course tasting menus, all themed around different cuisines (Thai, Scandinavian, Chinese, etc), and each dish comes with wine pairings.

If you prefer your meals casual, World Café is the buffet, but don’t let that word scare you, because it’s all sleek lines, sashimi stations, and wood-fired pizzas. For something light, Mamsen’s serves up Norwegian comfort food like waffles and open-faced sandwiches.

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Onboard Activities [Family, Kids and Couple]

First things first: Viking Venus is adults-only, so if you’re travelling with kids, they’ll have to sit this one out. No water slides. No kids’ clubs. No dance-offs with mascots. Just peace, quiet, and grown-up experiences.

That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do, far from it. Viking keeps things chilled but curated. It’s all about enrichment, relaxation, and the kind of entertainment that doesn’t make you cringe.

For the relaxers

The Nordic Spa is your sanctuary at sea. We’re talking steam room, sauna, heated pool, a hydrotherapy circuit, and even a snow grotto. It’s free to use and it’s bliss.

There’s a main pool with a retractable roof for all-weather lounging, plus an infinity pool at the back where you can float and watch the wake trail behind you like something out of a travel ad.

If you’re feeling peckish, head to the Wintergarden for a proper afternoon tea with scones, finger sandwiches, and soft live music under a canopy of Scandinavian woodwork. 

For the culture lovers

Viking is big on enrichment. You’ll find guest lectures, destination talks, TED-style presentations, and even classical music recitals, all designed to give you a deeper understanding of the places you’re visiting.

There’s also the Star Theatre, where you can catch documentaries, destination briefings, or the occasional performance from local cultural groups brought onboard.

The library onboard is one of the best at sea, curated by London’s Heywood Hill and The Economist, it’s perfect for unwinding with a novel or brushing up on your next port.

For the active types

There’s a surprisingly well-equipped fitness centre with treadmills, weights, bikes, and stretching mats. Small group classes like yoga and Pilates are often offered too.

The sports deck includes a walking track, a putting green, and space to stretch your legs with a sea breeze in your face. It’s rarely crowded, and the views are top-tier.

For couples (and introverts)

The Explorers’ Lounge spans two decks and is one of the ship’s best spots. It’s made for slow drinks, good chats, or just curling up with a book while staring out at glaciers or Mediterranean coastlines.

There’s live music most nights, such as piano, strings, and smooth jazz. Think less cabaret, and more background vibes that pair well with a nightcap.

If you’re into a bit of low-key fun, grab a board game or a puzzle from one of the communal spaces, or catch a movie screening in The Living Room or the theatre.

For food and wine lovers

Viking sometimes runs onboard cooking demos, wine tastings, or even local ingredient showcases, depending on the region you’re sailing through. These aren’t every night, but they’re a hit when they happen.

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Accommodations Details

One of the biggest perks of Viking Venus is that every cabin comes with a private veranda. If you’re on this ship, you’re getting a front-row seat to sunrise fjords and starry ocean nights, guaranteed. The cabins themselves are decked out in Scandinavian-chic design with calming neutrals, warm wood tones, and clean lines.

Here is a breakdown of the accommodation offers:

• Veranda & Deluxe Veranda Staterooms (around 225 sq ft): Cosy, but smartly laid out. King-size bed, heated bathroom floors, and heaps of storage. Deluxe gives you a few nice perks, like early bookings.
• Penthouse Veranda Staterooms (280 sq ft): A bit more space to stretch out, and some added luxuries like a stocked minibar and priority reservations.
• Penthouse Junior Suite (335 sq ft): Separate sitting area, even more service extras, and a generally “I’ve made it” vibe.
• Explorer Suites (460–700 sq ft): The spacious explorer suites immediately feel luxurious. Massive verandas, large private bathroom with a spacious glass-enclosed shower, big living areas, complimentary laundry, the works.
• Owner’s Suite (1,320 sq ft): A floating apartment. Private library, luxury linens, wine collection, boardroom table, and space for days.

Every cabin also comes with complimentary Wi-Fi, 24/7 room service, and a minibar that gets topped up daily.

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Deck Plan

Viking Venus is spread across 10 decks, but thanks to her smaller size (by cruise ship standards), it never feels like a mission to get from A to B. 

• Decks 1 & 2: You’ll find the spa, fitness centre, and medical centre down here, plus the main restaurant and a couple of chill-out spaces.
• Decks 3 to 8: These are mainly accommodation decks, with suites and staterooms peppered across. Self-service laundromats are tucked into each deck, which is great for longer trips.
• Deck 7: The heart of the ship. This is where you’ll find the main pool (covered with a retractable roof for all-weather swims), World Café, and the sunny Aquavit Terrace out the back.
• Deck 8: Houses the Explorers’ Lounge, which stretches over two levels and offers the best spot for a quiet wine and a wow-worthy view.
• Deck 9: The sports deck. Walk a few laps, practice your golf putt, or just stretch out and enjoy the breeze.

Elevators make every deck accessible, and the ship is laid out in a way that feels intuitive. Whether you’re here for the spa, the sushi, or the scenery, you won’t be wandering around lost.

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FAQs