Italy, Africa & Iberia Discovery
Italy, Africa & Iberia Discovery
Cruise overview
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About Venice
Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading center between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll almost surely end up in Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif.
About Venice
Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading center between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll almost surely end up in Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif.
About Sibenik
Šibenik's main monument, its Gothic-Renaissance cathedral, built of pale-gray Dalmatian stone and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands on a raised piazza close to the seafront promenade. From here a network of narrow, cobbled streets leads through the medieval quarter of tightly packed, terra-cotta–roof houses, and up to the ruins of a 16th-century hilltop fortress. The city has never been a real tourist destination. Before the Croatian war for independence, it was a relatively prosperous industrial center, but when the factories closed, Šibenik sank into an economic depression. However, the cathedral more than warrants a look, and it makes a decent base for visiting the waterfalls of Krka National Park.
About Bari
Bari, capital of the province of Apulia, lies on southern Italy's Adriatic coast. Its busy port is a leading commercial and industrial centre as well as a transit point for travellers catching ferries across the Adriatic to Greece. Bari comprises a new and an old town. To the north, on a promontory between the old and new harbours, lies the picturesque old town, or Citta Vecchia, with a maze of narrow, crooked streets. To the south is the spacious and regularly planned new town, which has developed considerably since 1930, when the Levant Fair was first held here. The heart of the modern town is Piazza della Liberta. The busy thoroughfare, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, separates the new town from the old. At the eastern end of the Corso begins the Lungomare Nazario Sauro, a magnificent seafront promenade that runs along the old harbour. Bari and the Apulian region were long recognized for their strategic location, attracting a succession of colonizers such as the Normans, Moors and Spaniards, each leaving their mark.
About Crotone
About Messina
Home to the Museo Regionale of Messina, known for featuring two of Caravaggio's paintings, the city is also famous for having been the capital of the ancient kingdom of Sicily.
About Naples
Naples, in the Campania region, is Italy's third largest city. Its claim to fame is the spectacular location along one of the world's most splendid bays, backed by the perfect cone of Mount Vesuvius. In addition to its beautiful setting, Naples' surprises with other outstanding attractions such as the Royal Palace, San Carlos Opera House, the impressive National Archaeological Museum and the Castel Nuovo, dating from the 13th-century. The city's central area is best explored on foot. Chaotic traffic conditions make driving around the city a very frustrating experience. Naples provides a convenient starting point for trips to such favored destinations as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius. The Isle of Capri can be reached via a 45-minute hydrofoil service. The region of Campania was home to Greeks settlers some 300 years before Rome was founded. Pompeii, too, was a Greek town before being conquered by the Romans during the 5th century BC. It was under the Romans that Pompeii flourished and grew prosperous. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the population of 20,000 was wiped out, but dozens of buildings were preserved under layers of cinder more than 20 feet deep. The most important finds from Pompeii are displayed in Naples' National Archaeological Museum. A visit here will no doubt enhance a visit to ancient Pompeii.
About Civitavecchia
Italy's vibrant capital lives in the present, but no other city on earth evokes its past so powerfully. For over 2,500 years, emperors, popes, artists, and common citizens have left their mark here. Archaeological remains from ancient Rome, art-stuffed churches, and the treasures of Vatican City vie for your attention, but Rome is also a wonderful place to practice the Italian-perfected il dolce far niente, the sweet art of idleness. Your most memorable experiences may include sitting at a caffè in the Campo de' Fiori or strolling in a beguiling piazza.
About Salerno
Salerno is an Italian city located on the Gulf of Salerno. Famous for being home to the first medical university, Salerno is a great destination for anyone looking for gorgeous sea views filled with sunshine and Italian food.
About Palermo
Once the intellectual capital of southern Europe, Palermo has always been at the crossroads of civilization. Favorably situated on a crescent-shaped bay at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, it has attracted almost every culture touching the Mediterranean world. To Palermo's credit, it has absorbed these diverse cultures into a unique personality that is at once Arab and Christian, Byzantine and Roman, Norman and Italian. The city's heritage encompasses all of Sicily's varied ages, but its distinctive aspect is its Arab-Norman identity, an improbable marriage that, mixed in with Byzantine and Jewish elements, created some resplendent works of art. No less noteworthy than the architecture is Palermo's chaotic vitality, on display at some of Italy's most vibrant outdoor markets, public squares, street bazaars, and food vendors, and above all in its grand climax of Italy's most spectacular passeggiata (the leisurely social stroll along the principal thoroughfare).
About La Goulette
About Cagliari
Known in Sardinia as Casteddu, the island's capital has steep streets and impressive Italianate architecture, from modern to medieval. This city of nearly 160,000 people is characterized by a busy commercial center and waterfront with broad avenues and arched arcades, as well as by the typically narrow streets of the old hilltop citadel (called, simply, “Castello”). The Museo Archeologico makes a good starting point to a visit. The imposing Bastione di Saint Remy and Mercato di San Benedetto (one of the best fish markets in Italy) are both musts.
About Valencia
Valencia, Spain's third-largest municipality, is a proud city with a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene, quality museums, and spectacular contemporary architecture, juxtaposed with a thoroughly charming historic quarter, making it a popular destination year in year out. During the Civil War, it was the last seat of the Republican Loyalist government (1935–36), holding out against Franco’s National forces until the country fell to 40 years of dictatorship. Today it represents the essence of contemporary Spain—daring design and architecture along with experimental cuisine—but remains deeply conservative and proud of its traditions. Though it faces the Mediterranean, Valencia's history and geography have been defined most significantly by the River Turia and the fertile huerta that surrounds it.The city has been fiercely contested ever since it was founded by the Greeks. El Cid captured Valencia from the Moors in 1094 and won his strangest victory here in 1099: he died in the battle, but his corpse was strapped into his saddle and so frightened the besieging Moors that it caused their complete defeat. In 1102 his widow, Jimena, was forced to return the city to Moorish rule; Jaume I finally drove them out in 1238. Modern Valencia was best known for its frequent disastrous floods until the River Turia was diverted to the south in the late 1950s. Since then the city has been on a steady course of urban beautification. The lovely bridges that once spanned the Turia look equally graceful spanning a wandering municipal park, and the spectacularly futuristic Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), most of it designed by Valencia-born architect Santiago Calatrava, has at last created an exciting architectural link between this river town and the Mediterranean. If you're in Valencia, an excursion to Albufera Nature Park is a worthwhile day trip.
About Barcelona
The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.
Features
- Stateroom size: 1,488 sq ft multi-room suite including expansive private veranda
- Ocean-view largest multi-room accommodations onboard
- Separate bedroom suite
- Spacious, well-appointed living room
- Separate dining area that seats 6
- Private library, wine & music collections curated by Chairman Torstein Hagen
- Ocean-view dry sauna
- Boardroom that seats 12 for meetings & catered dinner parties, with first oceangoing vapor-light fireplace
- Pantry for room service & hosted events
- 11 AM Embarkation
- 11 AM priority stateroom access
- First priority shore excursion booking 107 days prior to departure
- Complimentary shore excursion with private car & driver (up to 4 guests) in port city of your choice (valued at up to $800)
- 4 priority reservations at each alternative restaurant 100 days prior to departure
- First priority spa treatment bookings 100 days prior to departure
- King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV featuring MSNBC, FOX News, National Geographic and more
- Two additional 42" flat-screen interactive LCD TVs in living area and boardroom
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Large master bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, double-sink vanity, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer, plus two guest bathrooms
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers
- Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service
- Security safe
- Individual climate control
- Purified water refilled daily
- Welcome bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne
- Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water & premium snacks (replenished once daily)
- Binoculars
- Traditional Norwegian Marius-weave blanket
- Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- 24-hour room service, including service from any restaurant during open hours
- Daily personalized tea or pre-dinner cocktail & canapés on request
- Dinner & guided tour with ship officers (subject to availability)
- Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, pressing & shoe shine services
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Spacious walk-in closet with wooden hangers & drawers
Features
- Stateroom size: 808–1,215 sq ft (includes private veranda)
- Ocean-view two-room suite with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to a generous veranda (layout varies)
- Well-appointed living area & dining area that seats 4
- 11 AM Embarkation
- 11 AM priority stateroom access
- Priority shore excursion reservations 97 days prior to departure
- 3 priority reservations at each alternative restaurant 90 days prior to departure
- Priority spa treatment bookings 90 days prior to departure
- King-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV featuring MSNBC, FOX News, National Geographic and more
- Additional 42" flat-screen interactive LCD TVs in living area
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, bathtub, double-sink vanity, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers
- Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service
- Security safe
- Individual climate control
- Purified water refilled daily
- Welcome bottle of champagne
- Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water & snacks (replenished once daily)
- Binoculars
- Traditional Norwegian Marius-weave blanket
- Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- 24-hour room service
- Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, pressing & shoe shine services
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Spacious drawers & closet with wooden hangers
Features
- Stateroom size: 432 sq ft (includes private veranda)
- Ocean-view suite with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to a full-size veranda
- Wheelchair Accessible (#6020, #6021)
- 11 AM Embarkation
- 11 AM priority stateroom access
- Priority shore excursion reservations 87 days prior to departure
- 3 priority reservations at each alternative restaurant 80 days prior to departure
- Priority spa treatment bookings 80 days prior to departure
- King-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV featuring MSNBC, FOX News, National Geographic and more
- Additional 42" flat-screen interactive LCD TVs in sitting area
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, double-sink vanity, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers
- Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service
- Security safe
- Individual climate control
- Purified water refilled daily
- Welcome bottle of champagne
- Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water & snacks (replenished once daily)
- Binoculars
- Traditional Norwegian Marius-weave blanket
- Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- 24-hour room service
- Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, pressing & shoe shine services
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Spacious drawers & closet with wooden hangers
Features
- Stateroom size: 360 sq ft (includes private veranda)
- Ocean-view stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to full-size veranda
- 11 AM Embarkation
- 1 PM stateroom access
- Priority shore excursion reservations 77 days prior to departure
- 2 priority reservations at each alternative restaurant 70 days prior to departure
- Priority spa treatment bookings 70 days prior to departure
- King-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV featuring MSNBC, FOX News, National Geographic and more
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers
- Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service
- Security safe
- Individual climate control
- Purified water refilled daily
- Welcome bottle of champagne
- Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water & snacks (replenished once daily)
- Binoculars
- Traditional Norwegian Marius-weave blanket
- Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- 24-hour room service
- Complimentary pressing & shoe shine services
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Spacious drawers & closet with wooden hangers
Features
- Stateroom size: 288 sq ft (includes private veranda)
- Ocean-view stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to full-size veranda
- 11 AM Embarkation
- 2 PM stateroom access
- Priority shore excursion reservations 67 days prior to departure
- 1 priority reservation at each alternative restaurant 60 days prior to departure
- Priority spa treatment bookings 60 days prior to departure
- King-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV featuring MSNBC, FOX News, National Geographic and more
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers
- Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service
- Security safe
- Individual climate control
- Purified water refilled daily
- Mini-bar with soft drinks, water & snacks (replenished once daily)
- Binoculars
- Traditional Norwegian Marius-weave blanket
- Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- 24-hour room service
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Spacious drawers & closet with wooden hangers
Features
- Stateroom size: 288 sq ft (includes private veranda)
- Ocean-view stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to full-size veranda
- 11 AM Embarkation
- 3 PM stateroom access
- Shore excursion reservations 60 days prior to departure
- King-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV featuring MSNBC, FOX News, National Geographic and more
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers
- Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service
- Security safe
- Individual climate control
- Purified water refilled daily
- Mini-bar with soft drinks, water & snacks
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- 24-hour room service
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Spacious drawers & closet with wooden hangers
Viking Astrea
Expand your horizons on our award-winning, all-veranda small ship, with just 998 guests, allowing us to dock where larger ships cannot.
Ship Facts
| Launch Year | 2027 | ||||||||
| Refit Year | |||||||||
| Language | en | ||||||||
| Gross Tonnage | N/A | ||||||||
| Length | 238 | ||||||||
| Width | 30 | ||||||||
| Currency | EUR | ||||||||
| Speed | N/A | ||||||||
| Capacity | 998 | ||||||||
| Crew Count | N/A | ||||||||
| Deck Count | 10 | ||||||||
| Cabin Count | N/A | ||||||||
| Large Cabin Count | N/A | ||||||||
| Wheelchair Cabin Count | N/A | ||||||||
| Electrical Plugs |
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Deck 9
- Lifts
- Sports Deck
Deck 8
- Lifts
- Retractable Roof
- Explorers' Lounge
- Deluxe Veranda Staterooms
- Penthouse Junior Suites
Deck 7
- Infinity Pool
- Hot Tub
- Aquavit Terrace
- World Café
- Pool Grill
- Lifts
- Pool Bar
- Lanai
- Wintergarden
- Main Pool
- Mamsen's
- Explorers' Lounge
- Deluxe Veranda Staterooms
- Penthouse Junior Suites
- Owner's Suite
Deck 6
- Lifts
- Deluxe Veranda Staterooms
- Penthouse Veranda Staterooms
- Explorer Suites
- Penthouse Junior Suites
Deck 5
- Lifts
- Launderette
- Deluxe Veranda Staterooms
- Penthouse Veranda Staterooms
- Explorer Suites
Deck 4
- Launderette
- Lifts
- Deluxe Veranda Staterooms
- Penthouse Veranda Staterooms
- Explorer Suites
Deck 3
- Atrium
- Lifts
- Veranda Staterooms
- Deluxe Veranda Staterooms
- Explorer Suites
Deck 2
- The Restaurant
- Atrium
- Lifts
- Torshavn
- The Nordic Shop
- Shop
- Atrium
- Promenade Deck
- Cinema 1
- Cinema 2
- Bar
- The Theater
Deck 1
- The Kitchen Table
- The Chef's Table
- Manfredi's Italian Restaurant
- Private Dining Room 1
- Private Dining Room 2
- The Living Room
- Guest Services
- Bar
- Lifts
- Shop
- Hair Salon
- Fitness Center
- The Nordic Spa
Deck A
- Lifts
- Medical Center
Manfredi’s® Italian Restaurant
Inspired by Italy’s beloved trattorias, Manfredi’s offers the best of Italian cuisine with a private dining room providing an opportunity to have an intimate meal with family or friends.
The Chef’s Table
The sommeliers and culinary masters at The Chef’s Table create the perfect food and wine pairings during a multi-course tasting, enjoyed in the restaurant or in a private dining room.
The Restaurant
Our main dining venue, The Restaurant, offers the highest onboard dining experience. Regional cuisine and always available classics are served surrounded by sweeping exterior views through all-glass walls.
Mamsen’s®
Located in the Explorers’ Lounge and named for “Mamsen,” the Hagen family matriarch, this venue offers Norwegian specialties for breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack or evening treat.
World Café
With live cooking, an open kitchen and premium sushi/seafood choices, the World Café provides a vibrant interactive experience and a wide range of international flavours. Dine indoors or al fresco on the Aquavit Terrace for stunning panoramic views.
Pool Grill
In a poolside atmosphere that welcomes lounging and leisurely dips in the water, the Pool Grill offers casual fare prepared to order. For a lighter meal, a small salad bar is available.
Aquavit Terrace®
The revolutionary Aquavit Terrace is a magical space where your destination is your dining room. Located outside the World Café, it provides more al fresco dining experiences than on any ship at sea.
The Wintergarden
Afternoon tea is served at the Wintergarden, adjacent to the Main Pool. Decadent finger sandwiches, scones and desserts are accompanied by international teas, tea ceremony demonstrations and relaxing classical music from the Viking Resident Musicians.
The Bar
Featuring a clinker-built bar inspired by ancient longships, The Bar is located on the ground floor of The Atrium in the Living Room.
The Living Room
The ideal setting for relaxation, The Viking Living Room draws guests together at the heart of the ship. Spacious seating, calming classical compositions performed by the Viking Resident Musicians and enriching activities foster camaraderie.
Guest Services
Located on Deck 1, our Guest Services is always open and can assist you with any questions. Should you want to attend a museum, concert or particular restaurant ashore, your Guest Services staff can assist you in making custom arrangements.
Shops
A variety of onboard shops have everything you need to make your voyage comfortable and convenient, plus signature Viking keepsakes including books, clothing and jewellery.
The Atrium
Relax in the soaring atrium and mingle with like-minded guests as you enjoy a cocktail from the Viking Bar.
The Theatre
The perfect venue to attend lectures or watch movies, our state-of-the-art, multipurpose Theatre seats up to 450 guests and can be transformed into two HD cinemas for TED Talks, Destination Insights and occasional specialised seminars.
Torshavn®
Linger over melodic tunes while sipping a classic martini or vintage Armagnac in Torshavn, a lively music venue reminiscent of romantic jazz lounges of 1940s Hollywood.
Explorers’ Lounge
With two-story panoramic windows for maximum views, the Explorers’ Lounge is inspired by epic journeys of discovery. This inviting space is the perfect place to share a cocktail with friends or relax while taking in the scenery.
Infinity Pool
The Infinity Pool, one of the first of its kind at sea, gives you a sense of swimming in the heart of your destination. Its glass backing is infused with the spirit of exploration.
This relaxing setting also offers an inviting hot tub. Relax on the teak deck, which transforms into the Aquavit Terrace in the evening.
The pool’s shimmering surface lends a peaceful backdrop to this al fresco dining option.