Viking Saturn Cruise Ship Review

A resident of Athens for almost three decades, I’ve long been drawn to sunny, seaside destinations over frosty mountain peaks. And, until recently, exploring the colder climes of northern Europe hasn’t really been high on my list.

But sweltering summer temperatures in Greece this year had me — and a growing number of people who are seeking “cool-cations” — looking for an escape.

I found mine on a 13-day voyage through Iceland and Norway aboard Viking Saturn, the 465-cabin ship that is the newest ocean-going vessel from Viking, a favorite of Travel + Leisure readers. And while many cruise lines travel the seemingly endless coastlines of Norway, Viking is the only one that calls the country home, a fact that’s evident the moment you step aboard.

Launched in 2023, Saturn is in many ways identical to the nine other ocean ships that Viking operates, with wood paneling that echoes traditional longship design and macramé window dressings that recall traditional Norwegian handiwork. A small museum hosts exhibitions showcasing Viking finds, including what is believed to be the world’s only complete example of a Viking helmet, dating to 970. (A placard describes how the seafaring warriors were not as bloodthirsty as they’re often portrayed to have been.)

The overall vibe is Scandinavian chic, if not out-and-out luxury. Call it premium, as in the case of the Atrium, an impressive, high-ceilinged space dominated by a broad staircase and a grand piano. Passengers recline in square-backed leather chairs, enjoying classical music performances by a pianist and vocalist. There I met British passengers Michael and Muriel Olin, who were on their 19th Viking cruise in the past 14 years; they were particularly excited to visit Bergen, Norway, our final stop on the itinerary we’d chosen.

Like the Olins, I found the vibe on board to be warm and welcoming, with an organized and gracious crew who always seemed to go above and beyond. The level of 1:1 service was particularly impressive considering Saturn was almost at capacity — though I never felt as though I was traveling with 899 other passengers, many of whom were solo.

Read on for more about Viking Saturn, the ship’s amenities, the onboard experience, and details on the vessel’s itineraries.

The Staterooms

Like all Viking ocean ships, Saturn has six stateroom categories, all of which are outside cabins with verandas. All are characterized by minimalist Scandinavian design and furnishings, including headboards with stripe patterns in navy, white, grey, and taupe; armchairs, light and dark wood accents, and a handy desk with a vanity mirror round out the decor.

At 270 square feet, entry-level Veranda Staterooms are slightly larger than the average mid-range European hotel room. My Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, the next category up, was the same size but also included a Nespresso coffee maker, traditional Norwegian Marius-weave blanket and binoculars. Guests of these accommodations have priority pre-embarkation access to spa and premium restaurant bookings. At first, it felt a little on the narrow side, but — once I got my giant suitcase stored under the bed — there was plenty of wardrobe space. I also loved the bathroom, with its ample shelves and drawers for toiletries plus an enclosed-glass shower with a Bossini shower system whose water pressure is better than mine at home.

Skin-tingling Freyja bathroom products, produced for Viking, reminded me of the verdant hillsides I hiked up. Each cabin has a mini fridge filled with snacks and soft drinks that are replenished without additional charge, USB ports, and 110- and 220-volt sockets. Self-service laundrettes located on each floor are very convenient.

Worth a special mention is the ship’s nicest stateroom, a 1,448-square-foot Owner’s Suite on deck 7 with a dining room for six, ocean-view dry sauna, living room, and a library, with both wine and music collections personally selected by Viking chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen.

Bars and Restaurants

Saturn has two specialty restaurants that are best reserved early (though onboard reservations are sometimes possible). Manfredi’s, an Italian trattoria, was the more popular of the two on my trip, doing dishes like a Viking Bistecca, a smoky, garlic- and porcini-laced rib eye, and a succulent osso buco. The other specialty dining option is the Chef’s Table, with a variety of rotating tasting menus — Chinese, Korean, Thai, Californian cuisine — with carefully curated wine pairings.

On deck 2, The Restaurant saw large groups of newfound friends gathering for excellent a la carte cuisine. I zeroed in on the short but sweet destination menus, sampling reindeer stew and rhubarb pie, among other highlights. Tender seared duck magret proved a standout choice. I also noticed some vegan options, such as slow-roasted tofu with quinoa, edamame, and zucchini.

For more casual dining, the World Café is buffet-style and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; it has a superb selection of hearty soups, roast carvings, and even American classics like hoagies filled with local ingredients like Norwegian smoked salmon. One morning, I picked up steaming congee with all the condiments from the Asian corner and it quickly became my energy-boosting breakfast go-to. In the evening, seafood aficionados can choose from an expansive spread including whole scallops and local brown crab legs.

Late risers and sweet tooths alike gravitate to Mamsen’s on Deck 7 for addictive Norwegian waffles made from a Hagen family recipe and topped with blueberries, raspberries, sour cream, and slightly sweet brown goat cheese. Afternoon tea in the luminous Wintergarden, where perfectly baked scones are served with spicy cinnamon chai and other selections, is equally popular; it’s best to arrive early to nab a table.

At the bar in the Living Room, just off the ship’s Atrium, I discovered the ship’s best espresso and excellent chocolate chip cookies. Room service comes at no charge on Viking yet it must be said that the chicken soup I ordered didn’t match the quality of dining elsewhere.

As for cocktails, the Explorers’ Lounge is especially atmospheric during sailaways. Departing from Akureyri, Iceland, for example, was spectacular, as we cruised at high speed through a waterfall-studded fjord. The venue’s upper level is even more romantic, with reindeer hide couches and selection of maps and other interesting keepsakes.

There’s also the Torshavn bar, with rare vintages of Armagnac dating as far back as 1935; Viking says it’s the largest selection on board any cruise ship.

Where Viking Saturn Sails

Saturn sails in the western and eastern Mediterranean in winter and spends much of the summer cruising in northern and central Europe. The 15-day Viking Homelands itinerary, for example, departs from Stockholm and calls at Ålborg, Denmark; Stavanger, Norway; and Tallinn, Estonia; among other ports. Other options include the 15-day Trade Routes of the Middle Ages itinerary, which cruises from Barcelona to Bergen, stopping at cities such as Porto, Portugal, and Falmouth, England.

Shore Excursions

Viking offers at least one complimentary shore excursion at every port of call. I took advantage of these in several destinations, sometimes squeezing in a morning or afternoon option just because.

One of my most memorable excursions was a small-boat cruise in the remote Faroe Islands. After departing Saturn, a group of us sailed from the wild western coast of Streymoy island to the mist-shrouded Vestmanna sea cliffs. As our captain nimbly navigated his way alongside sheer volcanic cliffs, where hardy sheep grazed oblivious to the lofty heights, he provided informative and entertaining commentary. We passed through deep grottoes framed by soaring, charcoal-hued craggy basalt columns while stiff-winged fulmars flew above.

Some of the best-known attractions I visited during this trip, such as Iceland’s Goðafoss waterfall and the hamlet of Geiranger, Norway, turned out to be quite busy. To avoid the crowds, try booking early morning excursions. Helicopter tours, which are without a doubt pricey, will whisk you up and away for a unique bird’s eye view of fjords and mountain ranges.

Amenities and Entertainment

Like every Viking ocean ship, Saturn has a generously sized spa. I slotted in a Swedish massage on a sea day and enjoyed having the tightly wound knots between my shoulder blades kneaded into oblivion with a blend of essential oils from the Swedish company LivNordic. I then floated into the Nordic Spa, which, by early evening, was sparsely populated as many guests were off to get ready for dinner. I moved from the steam room to an alternative cold plunge, dumping a wooden pail of freezing water onto my body. Dodging the snow grotto, I slunk straight into the whirlpool. (Adjacent to the spa is a sizable workout area stocked with all sorts of Technogym equipment.)

With cool temperatures outside, the sea-facing sun loungers beyond the Main Pool on deck 7, where glass panels drew in sunlight like a greenhouse, quickly became one of my favorite quiet spots to nap or read a book. Scattered on shelves throughout is an extensive array of fiction and non-fiction; I spotted among the titles “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”

The Star Theater is the place for live performances: Broadway revues, ABBA hits, a Beatles retrospective. But there was other live music on board, from rock ballads in the Explorers’ Lounge to upbeat soul and funk tunes, which had everyone dancing in the Torshavn Bar. I felt fortunate to be aboard with Christina Otero-Botes, the assistant cruise director, who revealed mind-blowing singing talents: she did a Tina Turner tribute followed by rousing pop and opera at a lively party held beside the main pool.

Family-friendly Offerings

Viking ships are adults-only, open only to passengers aged 18 and above. While I didn’t meet any grandparents cruising with adult grandchildren, I did meet one passenger traveling with his parents. And I can picture many 20-somethings enjoying a multi-generational vacation on Saturn — as long as they can content themselves with leisure-time activities such as mini golf, bocce, table tennis, and old-school board games.

Accessibility

Located on deck 6 near the elevators, Penthouse Junior Suites 6020 and 6021 are ADA-compliant staterooms that are wheelchair accessible. All staterooms feature non-slip bathroom floors and hand railings.