We chose this cruise first because of the ports that they were visiting which included: Iceland (pre-extension), Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Gdansk, Berlin, Copenhagen, Alborg, Stavanger, Eidfjord, and Bergen. These were cities that we have wanted to visit and were very excited to have these offered on one cruise itinerary.
The second reason we selected Viking Ocean was that we liked the idea of a smaller luxury ship. The larger ships of 3000+ passengers didn't appeal to us. Casinos also don't appeal to us. We were looking for a new smaller ship that was beautifully appointed with a focus on passenger service. This was our first cruise with Viking and really our first cruise abroad. From the time that we embarked on our cruise we were swept away by the service and the smiles of the staff. They took impeccable care of us. Every question and every request was thoughtfully handled with promptness and care. The ship is simply magnificent. The public spaces have a clean open Scandinavian feel with glass, beautiful blonde wood, and wonderful pieces of art creating a serene ambiance.
The third reason that we selected the Viking Ocean cruise was due to the value of what is provided. Every stateroom has a veranda and is beautifully appointed. All dining is inclusive and provides exquisite dining options of specialty restaurants. We were able to get into the each of the specialty restaurants multiple times throughout our journey and even were able to reserve the private dining rooms to celebrate special occasions with our cruise friends. Additionally, Viking includes wine and beer with lunch and dinner.