Viking Mars cabins and suites

Follows the review of Viking OCEAN's ship Viking Mars staterooms as furniture, price-included amenities and complimentary services:

• Decor - light woods, nautical colors
• King-size bed "Viking Explorer" (deluxe mattresses and linens, Cashmere blankets), optional twin beds configuration.
• Luxurious private bathroom (with heated floor and heated mirror), glass door shower, hairdryer, premium bath products and toiletries (by Freyja), deluxe bathrobes, slippers, towel warmers, plenty of storage space.
• The seating area is furnished with a sofa, coffee table, vanity desk with chair, wardrobe. There is a full-length mirror (with mini lights) that can double as a night light. The switch on/off button is conveniently positioned by the bed.
• Satellite phone (direct-dial, located on the vanity desk), smart HDTV (3D, Infotainment / interactive TV system for Internet access, room service ordering, movies-on-demand, live webcams views, Viking Cruises channel for news, enrichment lectures and port talks), in-room binoculars, personal safe, individual climate control, 220V / 110V voltage power outlets (European and American standard plugs). The room's key-card must be inserted into a slot (located by the entry door) to power the cabin's electrical outlets and lights.
• Coffee machine, mini-bar (replenished daily with bottled water, soft drinks, snacks).

On all cabin decks, there is a launderette (free of charge passenger-use laundromats). These are self-service laundry rooms equipped with ironing boards, washers and dryers. Detergent is provided (also complimentary).

All cabin categories enjoy complimentary movies on demand and room-service (24-hour). All Suite-categories enjoy complimentary laundry, pressing, shoeshine (plus Deluxe cabins).

• Welcome Champagne bottle (Suites and Deluxe cabins).
• Priority cabin access: Explorer and Junior Suites (upon embarkation- 11 am), Penthouse Veranda (1 pm), Deluxe Veranda (2 pm), Standard Veranda (3 pm).
• Priority dining room reservations (in brackets- days prior to departure): Explorer Suite (90), Junior Suite (80), Penthouse Veranda (70), Deluxe Veranda (60), Standard Veranda (none).

All guests (excluding only those in Standard Balcony rooms) also enjoy priority reservations on each of the Viking Ocean cruise shore excursions.

Veranda and Deluxe Veranda cabins (categories V and DV) are very similar (sized 225 ft2 / 21 m2, with additional 45 ft2 / 4 m2 balconies). Each of those has lounge areas (2 armchairs, coffee table); and the balcony is furnished with 2 chairs plus 1 table (height suitable for outdoor dining). The difference is that V-Veranda cabins are without mini-bar, and their guests can't pre-book dinner reservations at the ship's restaurants. Veranda staterooms also have no binoculars, coffee machines and cashmere blankets (standard amenities for all other grades). Also, on embarkation day Deluxe Verandas passengers can check-in 1 hour earlier than veranda (at 2 pm instead of 3 pm).

Penthouse Veranda (category PV) balcony cabins are larger (sized 280 ft2 / 26 m2, with additional 60 ft2 / 6 m2 sized balconies) and with upgraded services. The veranda's furniture is the same as the lower balcony categories. The seating area has a sofa, coffee table, 1 easy chair. These rooms offer more storage space (extra drawers), slightly larger bathroom (incl larger shower stall). Extra services include priority dining reservations (at the MDR and both alternative restaurants Chef's Table and Manfredi's), also complimentary pressing and a shoeshine. On embarkation day, Penthouse Veranda passengers can access their cabins early (at 1 pm).

Penthouse Junior Suite (category PS) represent the ship's smallest suite accommodations (sized 335 ft2 / 31 m2 with additional 70 ft2 / 7 m2 sized balconies). The lounge area has a comfortable couch, coffee table, 2 easy chairs, 2 HDTVs (1 TV hanging across the bed, 1 TV for the seating area). The bedroom is divided from the living area with a curtain. Bonus amenities are early check-in on embarkation day (at 11 am), guaranteed dinner reservations (at the Chef's Table and Manfredi's specialty restaurants), complimentary laundry, dry-cleaning, pressing and a shoeshine. There are two wheelchair-accessible Mini-Suites offering roll-in shower and roll-out balcony.

Explorer Suite (category ES) cabins size vary between 460-700 ft2 / 43-65 m2, with additional 165-490 ft2 / 15-46 m2 sized balconies. These suites location is forward and aft (on the boat's corners) giving them panoramic views on two sides (plus portside or starboard). In comparison to the forward-facing Explorer Suites, the aft-facing suites have larger balconies (furnished with single beds), smaller living rooms, larger bathrooms (with windows looking out onto the balcony / the forward-facing suites are with TV instead of balcony window). Also, the fore-located suites are with glass windbreaks on their balconies (which also don't wrap around all the way like the aft verandas). Explorer Suite has a 4-seat dining table, living room (couch, coffee table, 2 armchairs, walk-in closet). Perks are similar to Penthouse Suites.

Viking OCEAN's Explorer Suite bathrooms are among the best-rated at sea. Each of those has a glass-enclosed shower-bathtub compartment with ocean views, a separate sitting area and a most spacious double-sink vanity area with plenty of storage drawers. Among the suite bathroom's features are also Italian handcrafted fixtures and the heated tile floor. You can see all the bath's details in the combo photo below.

The only one Owner's Suite (category OS, deck 7 location forward-starboard) is the ship's largest accommodation (sized 1320 ft2 / 123 m2, with additional 175 ft2 / 17 m2 balcony). The Owners Suite has a living room (couch, coffee table, chairs, wet bar), separate dining area (6-seat dining table), walk-in closet, powder room, separate bedroom (king bed, walk-in closet), separate boardroom (meeting room with locked doors, 10-seat table, guest bathroom, butler's pantry with a small oven), master bathroom (double sink vanity, large power-shower), oceanview sauna room (unique feature). The large veranda is furnished with 2-seat wooden loungers (cushioned), table, 2 chairs. Among the Suite's perks are custom stocked mini-bar, early check-in (at 11 am), guaranteed dinner reservations, complimentary laundry, dry-cleaning, pressing, shoeshine.

The complimentary 24-hour Room Service menu includes pasta (3 sauces are offered - bolognese, pesto, Pomodoro), grilled salmon, cured Norwegian salmon (gravlax/gravadlax), grilled chicken, burgers (incl veggie), chef salad, cheese plates. Breakfast options include hot/cold sandwiches, French toast, pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, fresh fruits.

Viking OCEAN cruise deals are all-inclusive, meaning they offer as complimentary (included in the Viking cruise fares):

• 1 complimentary excursion in each of the ports of call along the cruise itinerary route
• complimentary drinks, including alcohol (beers and house wines at lunch and dinner). The selection of wines includes red and white, and occasionally rose,
• free Wi-Fi (shipwide coverage), free Internet (unlimited access)
• free of charge specialty restaurant dining (excepting only the lowest category Balcony cabins).
• Tipping/gratuities - the recommended per day gratuity is USD 14 per person, is automatically added to the passenger's onboard account. Adjustments can be made at the customer service (reception) desk located in the Lobby area on deck 1. Alcoholic drink purchases levy a 15% gratuity (automatic).

All beverages served at the onboard lounges and bars cost extra. Prices are around $6 (cocktail), $4 (beer), $5-6 (wine by the glass). Viking Cruises "Silver Spirits" drink package costs $420 per cabin (for two passengers) and offers unlimited cocktails ($9 limit), beers and premium wines (by the glass), plus one bottle of sparkling wine, specialty coffees, unlimited soda (soft drinks).