Viking Orion

MS Viking Orion cruise ship (formerly "Viking Spirit", launched in 2018) is the 5th in a series of 10 identical vessels built for Viking Ocean Cruises. in 2017, with 5 already built ships, Viking Ocean planned a fleet-expansion to 10 vessels, with scheduled deliveries Orion (2018), Jupiter (2019), Tellus and Venus (2021), TBN1 (2022) and TBN2 (2023).

History - construction and ownership

The 47,800-ton, 930-passenger cruise ship Viking Orion offers destination-oriented cruising experience, with few at-sea days, long in-ports days and more exciting overnights in key spots. Ship's features include complimentary Wi-Fi, free shore excursions, wine and beer with no charge at dinner and lunch.

Each of the Viking Ocean ships offers many ticket price-inclusive / complimentary amenities and services, such as all shore excursions, transfers, Wi-Fi, wine and beer (at lunches and dinners), access to Nordic Spa (steam room, thalassotherapy pool, hot tub, snow room / grotto, sauna, cold plunge pool). The infinity pool (resistance swimming pool located aft on Deck 7 / at the ship's stern) is another unique and complimentary facility.

All Viking Ocean liners were built according to the latest maritime navigation regulations and equipped with latest marine safety systems, including “safe return to port”. The ships also implement some of the maritime industry’s latest technologies, including energy-saving hybrid engines (diesel generators and gas turbines), optimized hulls and bulbous bows for max fuel efficiency. Ship design also features the common for Viking River Cruises longships solar panels (installed on the Magradome pool cover) additionally minimizing vessel’s exhaust pollution.

Cruise itinerary program

Viking Orion itinerary program includes Around the World cruise and Alaskan cruises (during summer).

Cabins

Viking Orion has a total of 465 cabins (of which 47 Suite, 32 Penthouse, 386 Balcony rooms) in 18 grades. All cabins are balconied and at 270 sq.feet, are 20 % larger than the average standard staterooms. The new all-veranda ship is engineered for easy embarkation and debarkation.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Viking Orion offers the following dining venues: Restaurant (dining room), buffets (Viking Deli, World Cafe), Aquavit Terrace (al fresco), speciality (Italian Grill, Chef’s Table), Private Dining (2 rooms). Viking Orion deals are inclusive of shore excursions, complimentary alcohol (wine and beer at lunch and dinner) and Wi-Fi.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Onboard, Viking Cruises Viking Orion ship offers two pools - main pool and Infinity Pool, covered pool area (with jacuzzi, bar & grill), Spa & Fitness Center, Beauty Salon. The Sea also features a piano lounge, winter garden and aquavit terrace. Not to forget the sports deck, star theatre and bar, lobby bar, various shops. The walk-around promenade deck fully encircles the ship. The two-deck airy Explorer’s Lounge offers observation area which is a feature that lots of today’s cruise ships lack. Many of the new features reflect a boutique hotel feel - the fire pit and Nordic-influenced spa offering sauna and snow room are an example.

Next YouTube video is a Viking Ocean cruise ship review (by Jim Zimmerlin). It shows all the ship's main onboard facilities and also provides information on most amenities.

All Viking Ocean ships have an onboard "snow room". The 2013-launched Viking Grace (2800-passenger ferry ship operated by Viking Line) was the ever first vessel with a snow room. Viking Cruises' "Snow Grotto" is a spa retreat with powdery snow falling down from the ceiling. The experience (touted beneficial to the body's blood circulation) includes heating in a sauna (steam bath), then walking into this small room fitted with benches and with dark stone walls illuminated by blue light. The snow on the floor is kept at sub-freezing temperatures. This Arctic-themed facility is part of the ship's thermal suite (within the spa complex). This relaxation area has also 1 hot tub, sauna room, heated ceramic loungers, therapeutic showers, salt-water thermal pool. Snow Grotto access is complimentary to all passengers.

The Dome planetarium

MS Viking Orion is world's 2nd ship (after Cunard's liner RMS Queen Mary 2) with an onboard planetarium. Named "Explorers' Dome", this theatre-like venue is circular, with capacity 26 seats and located forward on Deck 8, facing Explorers Lounge. It uses the latest video projecting technology to show constellations and other space-related 3D videos on its domed roof.

• Resolution quality is 7K HD. Dome's equipment includes 5x laser-beam projectors and studio-quality speakers with 2D and 3D sound options.
• Signature shows offered here is "Journey to Space" (space travel history-themed) and "Under the Arctic Sky" (northern lights-themed). The Dome and its programming are complimentary. 3D glasses are provided, also complimentary.
• Ship's resident astronomer (in addition to its resident historian) leads 2 lectures per cruise, themed on current sky events and also on themes determined by passengers preference.
• In 2018, Viking Cruises partnered with the US-based company "Evans and Sutherland" - developer of advanced computer graphics for digital planetariums and cinemas, and distributor of world's largest database (library) of full-dome shows. The company also provides access to live feeds, including from the International Space Station and current space missions.

The cruise liner also has a portable telescope (electronically stabilized) that provides live night sky views projected at The Dome. The telescope is generally fixed, located on either side (forward) on Deck 9. Ship's astronomer organizes there outdoor stargazing sessions.