Life on a Viking Mediterranean cruise is calm, comfortable and well-organised. With fewer than 1,000 guests, no children and no casino, the focus is on quiet travel, good food and time to explore each port.
In this article, we walk you through our own experience on Viking Sea in the Mediterranean. The ships in this class are almost identical, so you can expect a very similar trip on any Viking Ocean ship. We cover boarding in Barcelona, what an Explorer Suite is really like, our thoughts on the restaurants and excursions, how drinks work on board, and whether we would book the same room again.
Embarkation in Barcelona
Arriving at the modern cruise terminal in Barcelona, check‑in was fast and simple. We turned up about an hour before the listed boarding time and were still allowed to go straight on board and to our suite.
One key benefit of a ship this size is the low number of guests. With fewer than 1,000 passengers, there were no long lines like you often see on ships that carry 3,000 or more people. Staff were friendly and clear in their directions, so we were settled in very quickly.
Once you step on board, the design feels calm and open. The look is Scandinavian: light woods, clean lines and lots of natural light from big windows. The main lobby has a soft colour scheme and comfortable seating, which gives a relaxed first impression.
We also learned an important layout tip on day one:
- All dining venues are at the stern (rear) of the ship
- All entertainment venues are at the bow (front) of the ship
Knowing this makes it much easier to find your way around during the cruise.
Staying in an Explorer Suite
For this trip, we went all out and booked an Explorer Suite. This was a “bucket list” choice we made two years before the cruise, and it gave us a chance to see Viking at its most spacious level.
There are only 14 Explorer Suites on the ship:
- 2 at the front and 2 at the rear on decks 3, 4 and 5
- 2 more at the rear on deck 6
We had the smallest Explorer Suite on deck 3, but it was still more than big enough for two people.
The living area has:
- A full‑size dining table
- A sofa and chairs
- A large flat‑screen TV
- A mini bar stocked with beer and four different spirits, restocked daily at no extra cost
Floor‑to‑ceiling windows give wide sea views, and the private balcony has loungers and a table for outdoor meals or quiet reading.
The bedroom continues the same style, with:
- Comfortable bedding
- A second flat‑screen TV
- A walk‑in wardrobe with plenty of storage
The bathroom feels more like a small hotel bathroom than a typical cruise cabin. There is a walk‑in shower, heated floor, premium toiletries and even a TV hidden in the mirror so you can watch while taking a bath.
In short, the Explorer Suite is very comfortable. However, as we share later, we would not book it again for this type of trip.
Dining and Bars on Board
Food is a strong part of the Viking Ocean experience. We found the quality high across all venues and never had a bad meal.
The Restaurant (Main Dining Room)
“The Restaurant” is the main dining room and became our regular choice. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a mix of international dishes and regional plates based on the ports you are visiting. You do not need a booking, and we never had trouble getting a table.
Manfredi’s and The Chef’s Table
The ship has two main speciality venues:
- Manfredi’s – focused on Italian dishes
- The Chef’s Table – a set tasting menu that rotates, with matching wines
These restaurants are popular and do require bookings. We pre‑booked two nights at each, but ended up cancelling half of them because we enjoyed the wider choice at the main restaurant and buffet.
On some evenings, The Restaurant also offered special themes, such as premium seafood or BBQ nights. These were excellent and added some variety without needing to book a speciality venue.
World Café and Poolside Grill
For more casual dining, the World Café serves buffet‑style meals with many options, including salads, hot dishes and desserts. It is ideal when you want a quick meal or to try many small things.
The poolside grill became one of our favourite spots. It is perfect for a relaxed lunch with fresh air and views of the sea. Many other guests seemed to feel the same way.
Across all venues, the food standard was consistently high, and we had no complaints about any meal we ordered.
Onboard Activities and Entertainment
The ship offers a good mix of quiet spaces, wellness areas and cultural activities.
Spa and Fitness
The spa and wellness area on deck 1 is calm and well-equipped, but most services here carry an extra cost. We chose to use the fitness centre instead. It has modern machines and free weights, plus some classes.
Mornings before excursions could be busy, and a few machines might be in use. After the morning tours left, though, the gym was often almost empty, which worked well for us when we were not taking an excursion.
Lectures, Music and Shows
Viking places a big focus on learning. On our cruise, there were guest lectures on the history and culture of the Mediterranean ports. These talks helped us understand what we were seeing on the excursions.
Evening entertainment includes:
- Main shows take place in the theatre on Deck 2. These performances were entertaining and high quality without being over-the-top or overly flashy like the productions you often see on larger cruise ships.
- Live music and dancing in Torshavn, a club‑style lounge open until late
- A pianist performing each evening in the Atrium on deck 2
There are also many bars and lounges where you can sit and relax with a drink, read, or chat with other guests.
Excursions and Shore Experiences
Each day, Viking offers a range of shore excursions. One tour is always included in your fare, and there are several optional paid tours as well.
We chose the included excursion most days, which are designed to give you a general overview of each port visited. Most lasted 2–4 hours, which left time to explore on our own or return to the ship for a restful afternoon.
Optional paid tours often run for a half or full day and can cost around USD $300 or more per person. We took one of these on our cruise over the 13 days, which was a good experience, but we were mostly happy with the included excursions provided. It depends on what you are seeking from your cruise overall: if you are active and want to explore as much as possible, then booking more paid excursions may be worthwhile. If you are looking for a mix of exploring and relaxation, then the included excursions may be enough.
Organisation was excellent:
- Local guides led each group
- Buses were ready on time
- Everyone received personal earpieces so you could hear the guide even in crowded places
Visits included historic sites, busy city centres and popular tourist landmarks. The balance of guided time and spare time felt about right for us.
Cultural and Social Life on Board
Is a Viking Mediterranean cruise right for you?
One of the main features of Viking Ocean is that it is adults‑only and has no casino. This creates a calm feel on board, with most people interested in culture, food and slow travel rather than late‑night partying.
Dining is open seating, which means you can sit with new people as often as you like, or choose a table for two if you prefer more private meals. We met many fellow guests this way and had good conversations about the ports and excursions.
Viking also runs:
- Cooking demos
- Wine tastings
- Talks on regional history and culture
The Explorer’s Lounge, with large windows and comfortable chairs, is a favourite place to sit with a drink and watch the coast drift by.
Other quiet spaces include:
- The pool deck with its infinity pool, hot tubs and shaded areas
- A small library and games area
- A boutique with souvenirs and higher‑end items
You can stay as busy or as relaxed as you like.
Drinks on Board and the Silver Spirits Package
By default, your fare includes:
- House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Tea and coffee at any time of day
If you want drinks outside meal times, you pay per drink. Typical prices:
- Glass of wine: about USD $8
- Spirits: from USD $9 and up
- Cocktails: around USD $16
You are also allowed to bring your own drinks on board, and there is no corkage fee. This is a good choice if you want to buy local wine in port and drink it with your meals.
Viking also offers the Silver Spirits package, which:
- Covers drinks throughout the day and night
- Includes premium wines and spirits up to USD $18 per glass
- Gives 30% off premium bottles over USD $50
At the time of writing, the upgrade cost is USD $27 per person per night. Both people in the cabin must buy it, and you must take it for the full length of the cruise. There is no option for only one guest in a cabin to have the package.
In a follow‑up guide, we plan to break down whether this package is worth it compared with buying drinks as you go and bringing your own bottles on board.
See our full breakdown of the Viking Silver Spirits Package here
Tipping and Service
One area that often confuses first‑time guests is tipping. On board, service charges are already included, even in the bars. You do not have to add extra tips unless you choose to. For UK & Australian residents booking a Viking Mediterranean Cruise, gratuities are included in your base fare, but not so for those using the US-based Viking website. Fares are quoted without gratuities and are added to your ship account at the rate of US$17 per day per person, which will increase to US$20 from January 2026. US residents or those booking outside of UK or Australia can choose to amend this amount, up or down, at your discretion.
Off the ship, tipping tour guides and bus drivers is optional and depends on your own culture and comfort level. Many U.S. guests tipped widely, while others tipped less.
If you want to tip extra on board, you can:
- Ask Viking to add an amount to your onboard account
- Tip individual crew members in cash
Service on our cruise was excellent. Two crew members looked after our cabin and visited twice a day. In public areas, staff were professional, friendly, and quick to help.
Final Thoughts: Would We Book the Explorer Suite Again?
Overall, our Viking Mediterranean cruise was an excellent experience. The ship is well-designed, food is strong across all venues, excursions are well run, and the adult‑only policy suits guests who want a calm trip.
The one thing we would change is our cabin choice. While the Explorer Suite was very spacious and comfortable, we do not feel it justifies the extra cost for most guests. We spent much of our time outside the cabin, either on excursions or using the ship’s many public areas. Since all standard cabins on Viking Ocean ships have balconies, you still get fresh air and views without paying for the largest room type.
For a future Viking voyage, we would choose a standard balcony cabin and use the savings on longer cruises, more excursions or special meals.
At the end of the day, Viking offers a consistent and relaxed way to see the Mediterranean. If you value quieter ships, good food and strong organisation more than big shows and nightlife, it is likely a great match for you. We would rate Viking 8/10 and if giving it a comparable hotel rating it would be in the 4-4.5-star range.
Always check with your travel agent or Viking for the latest prices.
Watch the Video
You can watch the full video version of this review here
