Our ship, the Viking Sun, was christened in September of 2017 at its Italian fabricator. The first leg of its inaugural journey was a pre-cruise movement which brought it to Miami, FL. After taking on 928 passengers, it headed to Los Angeles, CA where some guests departed and another 328 boarded for the official start of our World Cruise on January 5, 2018. This cruise is Vikings entry to ocean cruises. The chairman of Viking Cruises flew to LA to give an onboard speech complete with fireworks and Champagne. Although the ship was christened by a priest in Italy, the official christening will be March 8 in Shanghai with a really big celebration.
On board are 736 Americans, ~60 Canadians, ~15 from the UK, some from Australia and New Zealand, and single travelers from Mexico, S. Korea, and Paraguay. 70% are repeat river cruise Viking travelers. Virtually all have taken ocean cruises with other companies, while several have taken 60-65 cruises prior to this one. Many are celebrating significant anniversaries, birthdays, or remission of cancers. One fought in the WWII battle of the bulge. Several are in wheelchairs. One couple is always together, are very elderly with one requiring a walking device; no one is certain of which is helping which as they walk down the heaving ship corridors. One man expired in the hot sauna early in the trip and was found by our cabin neighbor.
We left LA with 928 passengers, 465 staff of which 100 are Chefs, and our Captain, who likes to call himself our designated driver. His wife is also on board. She claims he won’t let her touch any of the buttons and we think she’s believable.
The Viking Sun is a wonderful example of a perfect floating vessel. Nothing was left unaccounted for in the design. The fit and finish is exception. It’s beautiful, efficient, and 100% Norwegian. Every item on board came from Norway and everyday as you stroll from deck to deck, you can’t help but marvel at the thought that went into each and every detail. The linen, the chairs, the dishes, the roll-back ceiling over the pool which only takes minutes to close, the artwork, the lighting, all of it magnificent without being ostentatious.
More Numbers: The Sun is 745 feet long, 92 feet wide, draft of 21 feet, and top speed of 23 MPH. We typically cruise at 18 MPH while under way. The ship has 2 large engine-generators and 2 smaller engine-generators, 2 electric motors provide propulsion, and 3 thrusters. It makes its own pure water, has water based laundry, dry cleaning, numerous cooking areas and 3 main pool areas with 7 pools total. There are 3 main restaurants and 4 smaller ones. Food is not available 24 hours, but only during timed periods for 3 main meals, and of course afternoon tea. Ja mon, we be totally civilized.
