Viking Venus is an all-balcony ship for around 900 passengers and 450 staff. This is a fabulous staff-to-guest ratio that creates an environment of being well looked after and feeling spoilt. The ever-smiling crew loved to make sure I was relaxing and enjoying my holiday, and they achieved this by somehow knowing what I needed before I did — whether it was a cold glass of water, a refreshing towel or fresh cutlery. All facilities on board were impeccable, clean and well maintained.

The cabins on board are well appointed with plenty of power and USB sockets near the bed and desk. There was plenty of drawer space in the cupboard and throughout the cabin. The bathroom had a good-sized shower and a few storage drawers and shelves. A small stocked mini-bar is included and replenished throughout the itinerary. Earpieces for you to take on your included or optional excursions are on the desk.

What I like about Viking is the very welcoming feel of the décor, with plenty of seating areas inside and out. Wherever we went on board we always felt relaxed and never felt crowded.

The Nordic spa was a popular area but once again never felt overcrowded as guests moved between the rooms as intended. If you are looking for a cruise ship that will have you feeling relaxed and re-energised, this is the cruise for you. A cruise where the guests were young at heart and the gym actually got used.

I didn’t pre-book my specialty dining options and had no difficulty booking on board as there was a reservations desk open at breakfast and lunch. Even though only late times were available at the time of booking, on all occasions I was able to dine earlier on the day. Just don’t leave your specialty dining until the end of the cruise as it does get busy. The restaurant and buffet served similar food so it was just the preference of à la carte service instead of serving yourself that determined where you wanted to dine.

The specialty restaurants are Manfredi’s Italian and the Chef’s Table degustation, and the food was delicious in both. The atmosphere was smart casual, where the staff use your name from the time you enter, making you feel like you are the only ones there. With the Silver Spirits package, I was automatically upgraded to the premium wines in these restaurants and they were of a high standard with a great variety. Unique Viking experiences I was able to enjoy on board were Mamsen’s breakfast waffles and afternoon tea in the Wintergarden with an array of teas and, once again, as we were on the Silver Spirits package, sparkling alcoholic teas to try.

There was a good variety of entertainment from puzzle tables, electronic games tables, trivia, destination-relevant lectures, and music through various venues on the ship, along with a high-standard nightly show. If you are still looking for something else to do, the self-service laundries are complimentary.

What I did notice on board was how many guests were booking future cruises and how early the Viking cruises get sold out. After experiencing the relaxing atmosphere of Viking I know why. I would highly recommend a Viking cruise.