In Search of the Northern Lights
In Search of the Northern Lights
Cruise overview
Cruise ID
VIKINGOVL250311
Cruise Line
Cruise Type
Ocean
Ship
Duration
12 nights
Departure Port
Destination
Tilbury
Departure Date
11 Mar 25
From £5,590pp
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Day 1
Bergen (Norway)
About Bergen
Surrounded by mountains and sparkling fjords, the waterside city of Bergen has a spectacular setting. There has been a settlement here since medieval times and the colourful waterfront buildings of the Hanseatic wharf, known as Bryggen, are testament to its fascinating history of trade. As Norway’s best known medieval settlement, the Bryggen is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Our comprehensive selection of excursions allows you to discover the many sides of Bergen, such as the fish market and narrow cobbled streets, as well as stunning views of the city from the summit of Mt Fløyen. Alternatively, those who have visited the city previously may like to experience one of the tours that travel further afield. Just 300 yards from the main piers, you will find the Fortress Museum (Fesningsmuseum), which has an interesting collection of objects related to World War II.
Day 2
Bergen (Norway)
About Bergen
Surrounded by mountains and sparkling fjords, the waterside city of Bergen has a spectacular setting. There has been a settlement here since medieval times and the colourful waterfront buildings of the Hanseatic wharf, known as Bryggen, are testament to its fascinating history of trade. As Norway’s best known medieval settlement, the Bryggen is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Our comprehensive selection of excursions allows you to discover the many sides of Bergen, such as the fish market and narrow cobbled streets, as well as stunning views of the city from the summit of Mt Fløyen. Alternatively, those who have visited the city previously may like to experience one of the tours that travel further afield. Just 300 yards from the main piers, you will find the Fortress Museum (Fesningsmuseum), which has an interesting collection of objects related to World War II.
Day 5
Alta (Norway)
About Alta
People have been attracted to the community of Alta for thousands of years, and prehistoric rock carvings discovered in 1973 can be seen at the Alta Museum. Situated at the head of the Altafjord, it is a lush, green and hospitable shelter in the otherwise cold and windswept Finnmark landscape. Halfway between the grim, barren mountain plateau and the wet, stormy coast, Alta offers tree-clad valleys, pleasant temperatures and no more rain than the Sahara. However at 70 degrees North it is quite a different story in winter, when heavy snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures are the order of the day, and clear dark night skies become the arena for dazzling displays of the elusive Aurora Borealis, also referred to as 'the temperamental lady' by Laplanders. The world’s first Northern Lights Observatory, which played an important role in the development of geophysical and meteorological research during the first half of the 20th century, is located just 12 miles from Alta. Perched atop Haldde Mountain, it towers almost 3,000 feet above Kafjord, where the battleship Tirpitz was based during the Second World War.
Day 6
Alta (Norway)
About Alta
People have been attracted to the community of Alta for thousands of years, and prehistoric rock carvings discovered in 1973 can be seen at the Alta Museum. Situated at the head of the Altafjord, it is a lush, green and hospitable shelter in the otherwise cold and windswept Finnmark landscape. Halfway between the grim, barren mountain plateau and the wet, stormy coast, Alta offers tree-clad valleys, pleasant temperatures and no more rain than the Sahara. However at 70 degrees North it is quite a different story in winter, when heavy snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures are the order of the day, and clear dark night skies become the arena for dazzling displays of the elusive Aurora Borealis, also referred to as 'the temperamental lady' by Laplanders. The world’s first Northern Lights Observatory, which played an important role in the development of geophysical and meteorological research during the first half of the 20th century, is located just 12 miles from Alta. Perched atop Haldde Mountain, it towers almost 3,000 feet above Kafjord, where the battleship Tirpitz was based during the Second World War.
Day 7
Tromsø (Norway)
About Tromsø
With its centre located on the island of Tromsø, the municipality of Tromsø is more than five times the size of Norway’s capital, Oslo, and is the world’s northernmost university city. Lying 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, it is known as the 'Gateway to the Arctic' because it was used as a starting point for hunters looking for Arctic foxes, polar bears and seals. In the 19th century it was a base for explorers on Arctic expeditions – a history that is remembered in the city’s Polar Museum, which you can visit on an excursion. Also commemorated in the area is the history of Norway’s indigenous people, the Sami. Visitors can learn about the traditions, heritage and modern preservation of the Sami culture at the Tromsø Museum. Nowadays, Tromsø is a charming mix of old and new, with wooden buildings sitting alongside contemporary architecture such as the impressive glacier-like Arctic Cathedral, which features one of the largest stained glass windows in Europe. Looking down on the city is Mount Storsteinen, and a cable car runs to the top, giving wonderful views over the surrounding countryside of forested peaks and reindeer pastures.
Day 8
Tromsø (Norway)
About Tromsø
With its centre located on the island of Tromsø, the municipality of Tromsø is more than five times the size of Norway’s capital, Oslo, and is the world’s northernmost university city. Lying 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, it is known as the 'Gateway to the Arctic' because it was used as a starting point for hunters looking for Arctic foxes, polar bears and seals. In the 19th century it was a base for explorers on Arctic expeditions – a history that is remembered in the city’s Polar Museum, which you can visit on an excursion. Also commemorated in the area is the history of Norway’s indigenous people, the Sami. Visitors can learn about the traditions, heritage and modern preservation of the Sami culture at the Tromsø Museum. Nowadays, Tromsø is a charming mix of old and new, with wooden buildings sitting alongside contemporary architecture such as the impressive glacier-like Arctic Cathedral, which features one of the largest stained glass windows in Europe. Looking down on the city is Mount Storsteinen, and a cable car runs to the top, giving wonderful views over the surrounding countryside of forested peaks and reindeer pastures.
Day 9
Narvik (Norway)
About Narvik
At 68 degrees North, Narvik lies 140 miles inside the Arctic Circle. Its history as a settlement began in the Stone Age, and Vikings are also known to have lived in the area. The modern town came into existence in the 1870s to serve the needs of the iron industry. Iron ore is mined in neighbouring Sweden and, as an ice-free port, Narvik was chosen as the ideal export location. The LKAB mining corporation is still a major employer and landowner in the area, shipping some 25,000,000 tons of iron ore from the port annually. This industrial heritage has shaped the town and now forms the basis of some of its most popular tourist attractions. In 1883 a co-owned British-Swedish company was given permission to build a railway connecting the Swedish iron mines in Kiruna to Narvik. It opened in 1902 and the town, then christened Victoriahavn, grew up around it. Unfortunately much of Narvik was destroyed in World War II. Invaded by the Nazis on 9 April 1940, it was later retaken by the Allies, representing the first military defeat of Hitler’s troops, but was evacuated as part of Operation Alphabet when it came under German occupation again. The local war museum documents the turbulent history of this period.
Day 12
IJmuiden (Netherlands)
About IJmuiden
North Holland’s ‘Gate to the North Sea’, IJmuiden has four harbours: the Vissershaven, Haringhaven, IJmondhaven and the Seaport Marina - the latter used by pleasure craft. It is the largest Dutch fishing port, but is a relatively young town: it grew up in the 1870s when the North Sea Canal was opened. During World War II, the German Navy demolished much of the town and built huge fortified concrete bunkers for their torpedo boats and submarines. After 1945, the town was rebuilt by the architect Willem Marinus Dudok. He designed IJmuiden’s most impressive building, the Stadhuis van Velsen, which houses local government offices. For cruise passengers IJmuiden is the gateway to Amsterdam, the Dutch capital and one of Europe’s truly great cities, where elegant canals are lined by old brick gabled houses, and superb art galleries and museums are home to some of the world’s best-known paintings. Please note that complimentary shuttle buses operate from the port to the centre of IJmuiden, not to Amsterdam.
Day 13
Tilbury (England)
About Tilbury
Just 22 nautical miles down river from the Tower Bridge in London, Tilbury is a popular turnaround port for cruises visiting Baltic and Northern European destinations.
Owner's Suite
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
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
Explorer Suite
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
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
Penthouse Junior Suite
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
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
Penthouse Veranda Stateroom
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
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
Deluxe Veranda Stateroom
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
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
Veranda Stateroom
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
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 Vela
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
| Speed | N/A | ||||||||
| Width | 30 | ||||||||
| Length | 238 | ||||||||
| Capacity | 998 | ||||||||
| Currency | EUR | ||||||||
| Language | en | ||||||||
| Crew Count | N/A | ||||||||
| Deck Count | N/A | ||||||||
| Refit Year | |||||||||
| Cabin Count | N/A | ||||||||
| Launch Year | 2024 | ||||||||
| Gross Tonnage | N/A | ||||||||
| Electrical Plugs |
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||||||||
| Large Cabin Count | N/A | ||||||||
| Wheelchair Cabin Count | N/A |
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 Cafe
- 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
The Chef's Table
Experience: cover
Food: chef
The sommeliers and culinary masters at The Chef’s Table create the perfect pairing of food and wine. During a multicourse tasting, they pour select vintages and serve thoughtfully prepared dishes made for each other.
Manfredi's Italian Restaurant
Experience:
Food:
Manfredi’s offers the best of Italian cuisine, whether the farm-inspired heartiness of Tuscany or the famed flavors of Rome. Subdued, ambient lighting creates a warm, welcoming air in this traditional restaurant recalling Italy’s beloved trattorias.
The Restaurant
Experience: cover
Food: varies
Our main dining venue, The Restaurant offers the highest onboard dining experience amid a streamlined Scandinavian design. The menu includes regional cuisine and always available classics enhanced with locally sourced ingredients, so you can explore new cultures through food.
Aquavit Terrace
Experience: cover
Food: casual
In the spirit of the revolutionary outdoor settings of our award-winning river ships, we have created the Aquavit Terrace, providing the most al fresco dining experiences at sea.
World Café
Experience: cover
Food: cafe
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 flavors. Dine indoors or al fresco on the Aquavit Terrace for stunning panoramic views.
Mamsen's
Experience: cover
Food: casual
Named for “Mamsen,” the Hagen family matriarch, this venue offers Norwegian specialties including waffles according to Mamsen’s original recipe, open-faced sandwiches and split pea soup.
The Living Room
The ideal setting for relaxation and conversation, The Living Room draws guests together. Spacious seating, melodic piano tunes, live entertainment and planned activities foster rich camaraderie. And its well-curated Library informs even the best-read traveler. Adorned with nautical touches from Viking days, including the clinker-built bar inspired by ancient longships, it is the most inspired living room at sea.
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.
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.
Shop
A variety of onboard shops have everything you need to make your voyage comfortable and convenient, plus signature Viking keepsakes including books, clothing and jewelry.
The Atrium
Relax in the soaring atrium and mingle with like-minded guests as you enjoy a cocktail from the Viking Bar.
Torshavn®
A lively music venue reminiscent of romantic jazz lounges of 1940s Hollywood, Torshaven is ideal for pre-dinner drinks and after-dinner entertainment.
Enjoy a classic martini, stirred to perfection; savor the finest quality Armagnac; take in the melodic tunes of jazz singers or piano players. All in an intimate setting that invites music lovers to linger. This hidden gem is designed to deliver delightful surprises, great conversation and impromptu crooning.
The Theater
Our main venue, The Theater, features live performances that bring you closer to the culture of our destinations. Sometimes, the destination we connect you to exists solely in the realm of an otherworldly theatrical journey, as is the case with beautifully themed shows.
We will also pull back the curtains of our destinations with cinema in our two movie theaters, which show first-run films you have not yet seen as well as destination-driven cinema such as Room with A View, Roman Holiday, or Skyfall. And because the intellect also needs to be stimulated, our theaters will always be buzzing with fresh, new insights from our port talks and onboard lectures that feature the history, art, and culture of our destinations. And since we have always promised you will explore the world in comfort, we have banished uncomfortable theater seating in favor of soft and spacious sofa seating.
Wintergarden
Under a canopy of Scandinavian trellised wood, indulge in afternoon tea service while enjoying the soft strains of a string quartet.
Explorers Lounge
Inspired by the trade routes of Vikings, the Explorers’ Lounge is the ideal place for guests to share their discoveries over an aquavit or a craft beer while sampling fine Scandinavian fare. Central to the Explorers’ Lounge is Mamsen’s, a casual gourmet deli inspired by Norwegian cuisine, from smoked salmon to open-faced sandwiches and locally sourced charcuterie and cheeses. The daily “Waffle Hour” provides mouthwatering samples of the beloved treat.