
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Vela
- Typically sails
- British Isles
Less ideal for
- Families with children
- Casino players
What makes it different
Why choose this ship
Larger than earlier Viking ocean ships, 998 guests against the usual 930
Built hydrogen-ready for a later liquid-hydrogen and fuel-cell retrofit
Delivered December 2024 from Fincantieri Ancona, among the fleet's newest
Line states no children and no casinos onboard
Worth knowing
Watch outs
Things that may matter depending on your travel style — not criticisms.
- All 499 staterooms are veranda grades; no inside or ocean-view categories
- Kitchen Table cooking-class dining carries a fee
Facilities and activities
On board
Entertainment
- Explorers' Lounge
- Wintergarden
- Theatre with swivel chairs
Notable facilities
- Retractable-roof main pool
- Horizon Deck infinity pool
Choosing a room
Cabins
Compare room options for your party.
- Six all-veranda grades, 288 sq ft Veranda up to 1,448 sq ft Owner's Suite
- Owner's Suite includes a private ocean-view dry sauna
- King beds convert to twins across stateroom categories
- Wheelchair-accessible Penthouse Junior Suites 6020 and 6021
Climate suitability
Indoor & outdoor
What is under cover and what is open to the weather — worth reading for Alaska and northern Europe.
- Heated main pool has a retractable roof for any weather
- Infinity pool sits on the Horizon Deck
- Aquavit Terrace gives al fresco dining beside the World Cafe
Dining at a glance
Food & Dining
Food Strength
VERY GOOD
One of this ship's strengths.
Included specialty dining with consistently strong food reviews.
Main Dining
Very Good
Specialty Dining
Very Good
Included Dining
Exceptional
Why It Stands Out
- • Both specialty restaurants included at no extra charge — genuinely unusual for the category
Recommended Dining
Manfredi'sItalian · Included
Named as a standout by a professional expert review, with fresh housemade pasta.
The Chef's TableTasting menu · Included
A themed, changing tasting menu praised for consistent quality and attentive service.
Best For Food
Included specialty dining
How we rate food ▾
Food Strength is an editorial comparison across cruise ships generally — not just within this cruise line.
This dining assessment reflects broader Viking Ocean Cruises patterns where ship-specific evidence is limited. Individual venues and experiences vary by ship.
Reviews & Traveler Perspective
Traveler Ratings
No traveler ratings yet — be the first.
From other cruisers
What cruisers are saying
Independent videos covering the ship, activities, food and practical tips.
Ship tour
Viking Cruises Ocean Ship - New Viking Vela – Full ship tour, review and commentary at the end.
Pat's Adventures · YouTube
Food
VIKING VELA Finally a great dinner in the main dining restaurant
Leonard Miron · YouTube
Practical tips
Viking Ocean Cruises: Finally Worth The High Price Tag? (Viking Vela)
Digital Roamads · YouTube
Videos by independent YouTube creators.
Where it goes
Routes on this ship
The route profiles Galythia holds for Viking Vela.
Indicative only
Reference price
US$2,599 pp
7-night British Isles
Planning reference · Not a live fare
View this route →
Where this ship information comes from ▾
Ship facts above are read from the cruise line's own pages, and from an established secondary reference only where an official page returned nothing.
- https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruise/viking-ocean/viking-vela
- https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-vela.html
- https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/why-viking/viking-difference/serene-scandinavian-spaces.html
- https://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/2023-11-30-viking-marks-float-out-of-newest-ocean-ship.html
- https://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/2024-12-05-viking-celebrates-fincantieri-partnership-with-naming-of-newest-ocean-ship.html
- https://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/2024-12-3-viking-takes-delivery-of-newest-ocean-ship.html