Feeling Young at Heart on a Viking Ocean Cruise
When I booked my first Viking cruise—an ocean journey from Amsterdam to Bergen aboard the Vela—the jokes immediately started rolling in.
I was teased about early bird specials, endless games of shuffleboard, and, at nearly 50, being the youngest person on the ship by a nautical mile. I didn’t have an issue with any of this.
Sure, I can appreciate a megaship with a raging pool party and a glitzy casino. Still, I also value sophisticated spaces where I can enjoy afternoon tea or find a cozy nook to catch up on my reading. The Vela instantly impressed me with its refined, unpretentious elegance and airy Scandinavian design. My cabin was roomy with lots of storage, a bathroom that didn’t feel like a closet, and a nice balcony (all cabins have balconies, which is a nice touch). I loved the warm wood furnishings throughout the ship, an infinity pool free of cannonballs, and an expansive Explorer’s Lounge with towering windows built for staring at the horizon. And with a max of just 998 passengers, I never once had to fight for a deck chair or endure a crowded buffet line.
Of course, one of my favorite parts of cruising is the food and beverage program, and Viking delivered on all fronts. Whether I was dining at the World Café buffet or the main restaurant, the dishes were consistently good, spanning everything from classic surf and turf to freshly made pizzas and vegan gelato. Complimentary wine and beer flowed freely at lunch and dinner.
The specialty restaurants, which are included at no extra charge, were standout experiences. At Manfredi’s, I indulged in burrata, ravioli, and a mouth-watering osso buco, while The Chef’s Table offered a rotating five-course tasting menu with wine pairings. I’m not typically an adventurous eater, but the spicy tuna tataki and beef tenderloin went down smooth. On sea days, my biggest activities were getting a massage and napping on one of the most comfortable pool loungers I’ve ever experienced.
The shore excursions were also great. Viking makes exploring remarkably easy by offering a complimentary excursion in every port. You can also pay for a more elevated experience. I did a mix of both and largely enjoyed each one.
Our journey began by weaving through Amsterdam’s historic canals, proving yet another benefit of a smaller ship: it can access tight waterways that massive liners can’t. From there, it was a smooth ride across the North Sea to Denmark for a stop in Skagen. With its windswept dunes, crisp seaside air, and an easily strollable town center, it was charm personified. From there, our first Norwegian port was Oslo, the country’s vibrant capital. I loved how the city balances inventive architecture with outdoor living. My favorite stops included the sleek Opera House and Vigeland Park, a fantastic green space filled with more than 200 intricately detailed granite and bronze statues by Gustav Vigeland. The central fountain and bridge—home to Sinnataggen (The Angry Boy), one of the most photographed statues in the park—were particularly impressive.
Next up was Kristiansand, which offered sunny skies and a taste of cozy, coastal life. I spent the afternoon wandering through Posebyen (Old Town) to admire historic white wooden houses dating back to the 18th century, checking out cutting-edge contemporary art at Kunstsilo, a stunning new museum housed in a former grain silo, and walking the pedestrian-only Markens gate. In Stavanger, I hopped on a boat tour through the spectacular Lysefjord, where dramatic granite cliffs tower overhead, including the famous Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) rising nearly 2,000 feet above the water. Afterward, I got purposefully lost in the windy cobblestone lanes and pristine white cottages of Gamle Stavanger.
En route to Flåm, we sailed through Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, Sognefjord. Known as the King of the Fjords, it easily earned the title; it was among the most breathtaking natural scenery I’ve ever witnessed. It was well worth the 5:00 AM wake-up call, and I felt thoroughly spoiled viewing the misty cliffs with a hot cappuccino and pastry in the Explorer’s Lounge—and even more spoiled later when I took it all in from the outdoor hot tub.
Not to be outdone, Flåm served up its own scenic wonders, including the spectacular Aurlandsfjord. In town, I went on an exhilarating RIB (rigid inflatable boat) speed safari through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord.
Our final stop was Bergen, and though it was time to disembark, the adventure was far from over. I chose to spend the night, and it was well worth it to walk through Bryggen, a historic wharf lined with the city’s iconic site: crooked, colorful 14th-century Hanseatic wooden merchant houses.
I also viewed impressive archaeological artifacts at the Bryggens Museum, had the freshest catch imaginable at the bustling Fisketorget (Fish Market), and rode the Fløibanen Funicular, which has been transporting passengers for over 100 years, to the top of Mount Fløyen. There, I took a peaceful nature stroll, took in stellar views, and sampled a smørbrød (open-face sandwich) at the lovely Fløirestauranten, which dates back to 1925. I ended the day with a peaceful fjord cruise (I could not get enough of them) through Osterfjord to the picturesque Mostraumen, where the boat got so close to a waterfall I could feel the spray on my face. It felt like Norway was giving me a little kiss.
My Viking journey didn’t make me feel old; it felt like the ultimate upgrade. My time on the Vela reminded me that real travel luxury is the opportunity to slow down and connect with the world you’re sailing through. I met and befriended other queer travelers (who were even younger than me, by the way), and I appreciated a welcoming space to travel proudly, as we are. For those of us who crave an adults-only, sophisticated journey that still knows how to have fun, Viking transcends age brackets. My only regret is that I never did learn to play shuffleboard.
To see itineraries for the Viking Vela and read the reviews, go here. Feel like cruising in general? Compare prices and packages here.
