Viking Vela
Viking Vela: Explore Northern Europe in style & comfort
Snapshot
The 998-passenger Viking Vela debuted in December 2024 as the 10th ship in the upscale Viking Ocean Cruises fleet. This sophisticated ship was designed to embody the modern Scandinavian aesthetic, featuring elegant interiors and outdoor spaces and providing an intimate cruising experience. The ship sails primarily in Northern Europe, focusing on destinations such as the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Norwegian fjords and Iceland.
One of the most compelling features of Viking Vela is its commitment to creating a boutique hotel-like atmosphere. The ship’s decor includes Nordic-inspired artwork and luxurious fabrics, providing a serene environment for relaxation. Passengers can enjoy amenities such as two pools — one an infinity pool and another covered with a retractable roof — along with whirlpools and a wellness complex featuring the LivNordic Spa. This spa offers treatments such as a snow room and thermal suite designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation at no additional cost.
Who will like sailing on Viking Vela
The passenger makeup leans toward adults seeking enriching travel experiences. You'll see few children on board, given the minimum age requirement of 16, so Vela appeals primarily to couples, solo travelers, and groups of friends looking for a refined cruising experience without the distractions often found on family-oriented vessels. The ship also appeals to those looking for a hassle-free way to experience the stunning landscapes of Northern Europe while enjoying world-class service and gourmet cuisine.
Where Viking Vela sails
Viking Vela offers itineraries ranging from 7 to 28 days to destinations such as Stockholm, Bergen, Oslo, London and Reykjavik. The ship features a winter and shoulder-season presence in the Mediterranean followed by spring and summer itineraries in Northern Europe. Because of its small size, Vela can often call at ports that feel more intimate than the megaship circuit. Travelers who like to combine major anchor cities with smaller, less-crowded stops will find the ship’s itinerary philosophy familiar: fewer “theme-park” ports, more walkable historic centers, and a steady cadence of time ashore.
What's included in your fare
Viking’s pricing model is designed to feel genuinely inclusive. A shore excursion in every port is included, and Wi‑Fi is standard. Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner, and the line does not charge for its alternative dining venues—an increasingly rare perk in ocean cruising.
In staterooms, expect the practical touches Viking guests tend to value: straightforward, high-quality bedding; a strong emphasis on storage and usability; and a layout that supports early starts and quick turnarounds between port days and evening dining. Public areas reinforce the same theme—comfortable seating, quiet corners to read or work, and minimal upsell pressure compared with many mass-market lines.
Dining on board
Dining aboard Viking Vela is an experience in itself, with more than 10 dining venues that cater to diverse culinary preferences. The main dining room, known as The Restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and regional specialties. The World Café offers a buffet-style dining experience with dishes from around the globe. Manfredi's Italian restaurant features exquisite steaks and traditional Italian cuisine.
Mamsen's food counter showcases Scandinavian specialties and is a great place to start the day (try the waffles). The Chef's Table presents themed tasting menus paired with optional wines, but be sure to get your reservations in early. One of the distinctive dining experiences is The Kitchen Table, which hosts cooking classes where guests can learn from chefs while preparing their meals for an extra charge. This exclusive venue requires advance reservations and provides an intimate setting for culinary exploration.
Activities on board
Viking designs its activity mix as a complement to port-intensive itineraries. Expect enrichment — destination briefings, historical and cultural talks, and occasional demonstrations—rather than nonstop contests and high-energy pool games. The goal is to leave you better prepared for the next day’s excursions, not to keep you constantly entertained while at sea.
Wellness is a major pillar. Viking’s Nordic-style spa experience is one of the standout features of the fleet, typically combining thermal suite elements (sauna, steam, and cold plunge experiences) with relaxation areas that feel more boutique than resort. It is a natural fit for travelers who like structured sightseeing days but want restorative downtime in the evenings.
For guests who want light movement rather than structured fitness classes, the ship’s outdoor walking and sports areas provide a simple way to stay active without feeling like a gym itinerary. And for quieter pursuits, Viking’s public rooms — especially its lounges — double as informal activity hubs for reading, conversation, and low-key live music.
Entertainment
Entertainment on Vela follows Viking’s understated style: well-produced but not Broadway-scale. The Theater hosts lectures and performances that skew toward culture and music, while lounges offer smaller-scale sets that work as a soundtrack to conversation rather than a reason to shout over the band.
Evening life tends to be relaxed. You will find pre-dinner drinks, piano or acoustic sets, and a crowd that turns in earlier than on mainstream lines — particularly on itineraries with early departures the next morning. If you want casino nights, midnight dance parties, or headline comedians, Viking is intentionally not built for that.
Staterooms
Vela’s 499 staterooms are all veranda categories, which is one reason the ship feels more premium than its passenger count suggests. Even entry-level verandas emphasize usable layouts — sitting space, thoughtful storage, and bathrooms designed for real-world routines rather than showroom photos.
Higher-category suites add meaningful space rather than token upgrades, with expanded living areas and additional perks that matter on longer voyages. Across categories, the visual design leans Scandinavian: light woods, neutral tones, and a calm aesthetic that photographs well but is primarily intended to feel restful after a full day ashore.
One practical advantage of the Viking approach is what you do not see: no inside-cabin corridors packed with bargain-category rooms. That decision keeps the ship brighter and quieter overall, and it helps preserve the small-ship feel in elevators, restaurants, and lounges.
Dress code
Viking keeps dress expectations simple. There are no formal nights and no need to pack tuxedos or gowns. Most evenings look “smart casual” — collared shirts and slacks for men; dresses, blouses, or polished separates for women.
During the day, comfort wins, especially on port-heavy itineraries. Think practical layers, comfortable walking shoes, and a light jacket for breezy decks or cooler northern ports. Viking’s vibe is adult and refined, but it is not fussy.
Reality check
Viking’s included excursion in each port is a meaningful value add, but it is not always the best choice for every traveler. The included tours can vary in pace and depth, so travelers with specific interests may want to budget for optional excursions or independent touring in key ports.
Vela is positioned as a premium product, and pricing generally reflects that. The tradeoff is that onboard spending can be lower than on many competitors because core elements — Wi‑Fi, alternative dining, and drinks with lunch and dinner — are built into the fare rather than sold as add-ons.
Finally, the adults-only, no-casino, low-rah-rah atmosphere is a feature, not a bug. If you prefer high-energy entertainment, constant activity options, and late-night venues, you will likely find the ship too quiet. If you want a serene base camp for destination-intensive cruising, it delivers exactly what Viking promises.
What's not included
Gratuities are typically additional and may be automatically added to onboard accounts, depending on your booking channel. Specialty beverages beyond beer and wine at lunch and dinner (such as premium cocktails and spirits), spa treatments, and many optional shore excursions will also add to your total trip cost.
Air arrangements, transfers in some scenarios, and pre- and post-cruise land programs can be packaged through Viking but are not universally included. As with most premium lines, it pays to confirm what is bundled in your specific fare type before you book — particularly if you are comparing Viking pricing against lines that advertise lower base fares but charge more on board.
Interested in a cruise on this ship?
If you're interested in a cruise on Viking Vela, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant at 1-877-322-3773 or by email. You'll get a better deal than you can get by contacting the cruise line directly.
Top highlights on this ship
Top dining options on board
