We were the second guests on the new Viking Star sailing from Venice, Italy to Barcelona, Spain. Airport greeting, transfer to our hotel and reception was well coordinated. We began with an optional two-day pre-cruise stay in Venice at the Hilton Molino Stucky. The hotel couldn't have been better. The free shuttle to St. Mark's Square and back was most appreciated. This stay allowed us time to adjust to local time and provide some free time to explore Venice. Our veranda cabin was the size of other cabins we have experienced in the past. The shower stall size was larger. The cruise overall was terrific with the refinement and service we expected from Viking. Being a new ship, everything was spotless and inviting. Food service options were numerous. Food quality was excellent as was the service we received while dining. The itinerary gave us the opportunity to visit six countries with locations we had never been to before. Port excursions were plentiful. Being fit was important due to the amount of walking required in most cases. Onboard entertainment was a positive. All performers were carefully auditioned and selected for their specific talent. Early disembarkation in Barcelona made for little sleep but travel to the airport was well executed. In summary, we will never forget this cruise and the way we were treated by every level of the ship's crew. We are now planning a Viking River Cruise in 2016.
Typical size veranda cabin. The shower stall was however larger than most. The TV system was experiencing some connectivity issues and worked minimally. No music options were available on the TV menu. Found the shower temperature would fluctuate from the setting chosen going hotter and then colder without user input. This was brought to the attention of the appropriate personnel.