Sailing Scandinavia on The Most “Viking” Cruise in The World

“Get Out There” is a column for itchy footed humans written by long-time Paste contributor Blake Snow. Today we journey to Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands on Viking Cruises.

“You’re not the typical Viking passenger,” the septuagenarian in the sauna remarked. “Out of 1000 total guests, you’re the second youngest I’ve seen,” observed another. Later at the buffet, a silver haired lady assumed I was performing on the ship.

None of these remarks were out of line. Nearly every one of my fellow passengers aboard the newly launched Viking Saturn was a late-stage retiree, part of a devoted cohort of well-aged passengers who in recent years have catapulted Viking into the number one-rated cruise line on the open seas. So do these sage, senior citizens know something the rest of us don’t?

To find out, my middle-aged soulmate and I booked passage on arguably the most viking-like cruise in the world: a two week sailing of Scandinavia—from the “more green than icy” Iceland to the towering fjords of Norway. Reykjavik to Bergen, to be exact, with an in between stop in the unexpectedly fantastic Faroe Islands of Denmark.

In short, Viking deserves its top-rated cruise reputation, even if you’re well under 50 years of age. Here’s why.

Viking Saturn is the nicest ship I’ve sailed. Ever. Not only is everything new (even the smell is lovely), but the custom furniture, floorings, decor, dinnerware, decks, restaurants, place settings, light fixtures, staircases, and wall art are incredibly tasteful. Imagine if IKEA sold the most luxurious, elegant furnishings. That’s what you get on this ship.

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The rooms are massive. The bathrooms rival the size of many boutique New York hotels (which means they’re big by ship standards). The ambient lighting is phenomenal. There is never a shortage of comfortable and cozy seats or lounges to relax in, which is a breath of fresh air in an industry known for crowding ships. “There is no way there are 1000 passengers on this boat,” one guest told me, even though there were. It just never felt like it because Viking sails bigger ships than their capacity demands. That’s how spacious, luxurious, and uncruise-like Viking feels.

There’s even a full-grand Steinway in the atrium. Who sails with a Steinway!?

Viking does. Their debonaire entertainment reflects this choice. For example, a cello and violin duo played classical hits and clever modern arrangements every night. A classical guitarist did the same at different times and venues. A tux-wearing pianist performed on said Steinway and others throughout the ship over afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres, and martinis. The Metropolitan Opera even screened a moving, $3 million dollar performance of The Magic Flute in the high definition theater. In a word: “wow.”

While aboard, my wife and I quickly fell into a rhythm of eating fresh foods and produce that never got old as the two week journey drew on. After the freely included excursion (or paid upgraded ones) at every port, we alternated between Scandinavia cold and hot plunges in the complimentary and therapeutically soothing Thermal Spa. I even outlasted a Finnish man in the sauna once, which made me feel good about myself, although the man was twice my age.

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There are other perks that make Viking one of the best values in cruising: Complimentary WiFi, 24-hour room service, self-service launderettes, beer, wine, soda, and specialty dining at no extra charge. Like the ship, the food is the best of any cruise line (although Virgin equals them).

Better yet, since specialty dining is included, every kitchen uses the same quality ingredients and chefs, so you never get served an inferior meal. Norwegian “brunost” brown cheese was probably my favorite discovery, which is a quasi-sweet, semi-soft cheese you can put on anything (waffles, fruit, oatmeal). For me, only the sushi was a miss. After skipping dinner and trying all 17 desserts on our final night aboard, I’m also convinced that Viking serves the most delectable sweets of any cruise. Chocolate-filled orange macarons? Yes, please.

That impressive value is partially why Viking enjoys what I’m told is an industry-leading repeat cruise rate of over 70%. The devoted crew is undoubtedly the other reason. To be fair, I’ve never met an ocean crew I didn’t love. But Viking’s staff might be even more well-trained and slightly more capable of the VIP treatment the industry is widely known for. Either way, these are workers worth remembering.

Of course, no one cruises for a ship or its crew. We come for the ports. We come to travel the world as our hotel and personal butlers follow in our wake. On that note, I can’t think of a better way to see Scandinavia than on Viking. “This is our territory,” a company official reminded me, in reference to their Norwegian roots, where actual vikings originated and sailed from to establish greater Scandinavia.

In reality, no one flies to the remote outposts of Iceland, Faroe, or the thousand fjord villages of Norway, which is why this cruise itinerary really shines. I will never forget hiking to the majestic Vestdalsfossar waterfall in Seydisfjordur or the endearing live music and several plates of “Happy Marriage” cake I devoured afterwards. I had no idea Faroe could double for the emerald mountains and seaside cliffs of Ireland or New Zealand—only with more waterfalls.

Who knew Geirangerfjord, Flam, Alesund, and Bergen rival some of the most massive natural landscapes and delightful European towns this side of the Atlantic? (I didn’t.) Either way, I admire the stalwart souls who live here and openly wonder how they endure such endless winters on the hardened edge of nowhere, without ever sacrificing their happiness.

Look, if you’re under 50 and only socialize with people your age, this is not the cruise for you. If you want to party hard, need onboard casinos, or despise coach bus tours (even really good ones), this is not the cruise for you. If you want to bring your kids, are bored by high brow entertainment, or can only afford cut rate fares, this is not the cruise for you. But if you want to see Scandinavia on the classiest cruise around, book with Viking.

Blake Snow contributes to fancy publications and Fortune 500 companies as a bodacious writer-for-hire and frequent travel columnist. He lives in Provo, Utah with his wife, five children, and one ferocious chihuahua.