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There’s something special about cruising out of Sydney Harbour, ducking beneath the Harbour Bridge and watching the setting sun sparkle off the Opera House. This is the backdrop as Viking Venus sails out of Sydney Heads and follows the coast north on its inaugural Grand Australia Circumnavigation.While the complete trip will take a month, and include a sojourn through the Timor Sea to Komodo and Bali, I am lucky to join her for the first five days for this review as she sails to Townsville.
1/9

There’s something special about cruising out of Sydney Harbour, ducking beneath the Harbour Bridge and watching the setting sun sparkle off the Opera House. This is the backdrop as Viking Venus sails out of Sydney Heads and follows the coast north on its inaugural Grand Australia Circumnavigation.

While the complete trip will take a month, and include a sojourn through the Timor Sea to Komodo and Bali, I am lucky to join her for the first five days for this review as she sails to Townsville.

On-boardThere are more than 700 passengers, but at times it feels like I’m just about the only one on board. The genius of the ship's layout is that there are many spaces carved out for smaller groups within the larger lounges and bars so you don’t feel like you’re on top of each other. There were even times when I stayed aboard on port days and found myself the sole person poolside, a rare experience.There is a restrained peace aboard Venus – the seventh of Viking’s ocean ships, launched in 2021 – which you cannot find on larger vessels. Viking likes to operate a “quiet ship” meaning you are not constantly bombarded with announcements and booming music. It’s a unique and welcome reprieve.
2/9

On-board

There are more than 700 passengers, but at times it feels like I’m just about the only one on board. The genius of the ship's layout is that there are many spaces carved out for smaller groups within the larger lounges and bars so you don’t feel like you’re on top of each other. There were even times when I stayed aboard on port days and found myself the sole person poolside, a rare experience.

There is a restrained peace aboard Venus – the seventh of Viking’s ocean ships, launched in 2021 – which you cannot find on larger vessels. Viking likes to operate a “quiet ship” meaning you are not constantly bombarded with announcements and booming music. It’s a unique and welcome reprieve.

The cabinAn all-veranda ship, you can’t really go wrong on Venus, unless you really must have a six-seat dining table, private library or oceanview dry sauna. I checked into a Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, which at 25 sqm is the smallest cabin size on the ship, but well above the average for double occupancy cabins in cruising. The room is dominated by a king-size bed but there is plenty of space to move around, thanks to a lounge area, desk and veranda.Although every one of the 465 staterooms have verandas, it’s mostly about the internal space and features as you upgrade, with the 134 sqm Owner’s Suite (with aforementioned dining table, sauna and library) the pinnacle.
3/9

The cabin

An all-veranda ship, you can’t really go wrong on Venus, unless you really must have a six-seat dining table, private library or oceanview dry sauna. I checked into a Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, which at 25 sqm is the smallest cabin size on the ship, but well above the average for double occupancy cabins in cruising. The room is dominated by a king-size bed but there is plenty of space to move around, thanks to a lounge area, desk and veranda.

Although every one of the 465 staterooms have verandas, it’s mostly about the internal space and features as you upgrade, with the 134 sqm Owner’s Suite (with aforementioned dining table, sauna and library) the pinnacle.

Museum at seaViking ships are all floating museums, displaying artefacts and historic costumes highlighting the story of the Vikings. Venus has on display a helmet dating to 970AD, the only complete example of a Viking helmet ever discovered. Hanging along the walls are original etchings from Norwegian artist Edvard Munch of The Scream fame. You can take a self-guided tour of the ship’s important pieces with an audio set supplied in your cabin.
4/9

Museum at sea

Viking ships are all floating museums, displaying artefacts and historic costumes highlighting the story of the Vikings. 
Venus has on display a helmet dating to 970AD, the only complete example of a Viking helmet ever discovered. Hanging along the walls are original etchings from Norwegian artist Edvard Munch of The Scream fame. You can take a self-guided tour of the ship’s important pieces with an audio set supplied in your cabin.
The spaI learned a very important lesson at the Nordic Spa: I’d much rather be freezing cold than boiling hot. In the Scandinavian tradition, all Viking ships have a thermal suite which involves the bathing ritual of alternating hot and cold therapies. I dash from the minus-10C Snow Grotto to the steam room, then to a refreshing cold water bucket plunge and finally into the warm spa.The best part of Nordic Spa though are the treatments. I indulge in the Northern Stillness treatment which begins with an apricot kernels and crushed cranberries scrub, followed by a blueberry seed body mask and a massage. Who knew having your hair brushed and gently tugged could be so relaxing.
5/9

The spa

I learned a very important lesson at the Nordic Spa: I’d much rather be freezing cold than boiling hot. In the Scandinavian tradition, all Viking ships have a thermal suite which involves the bathing ritual of alternating hot and cold therapies. I dash from the minus-10C Snow Grotto to the steam room, then to a refreshing cold water bucket plunge and finally into the warm spa.
The best part of Nordic Spa though are the treatments. I indulge in the Northern Stillness treatment which begins with an apricot kernels and crushed cranberries scrub, followed by a blueberry seed body mask and a massage. Who knew having your hair brushed and gently tugged could be so relaxing.
Food and drinksWith its fresh sushi and sashimi station, The World Café buffet is a drawcard for meals, as is the main dining room, The Restaurant. But the highlights are the specialty restaurants. The Chef’s Table has a five-course degustation of modern Asian dishes (the Thai-spiced rack of lamb is delicious) all the more indulgent if you choose the wine pairing (I did!). Another night I head to Manfredi’s Italian just to try the signature rib-eye, Viking Bistecca, I’d heard other cruisers raving about (let’s just say I didn’t need a knife to slice it).
6/9

Food and drinks

With its fresh sushi and sashimi station, The World Café buffet is a drawcard for meals, as is the main dining room, The Restaurant. But the highlights are the specialty restaurants. 
The Chef’s Table has a five-course degustation of modern Asian dishes (the Thai-spiced rack of lamb is delicious) all the more indulgent if you choose the wine pairing (I did!). Another night I head to Manfredi’s Italian just to try the signature rib-eye, Viking Bistecca, I’d heard other cruisers raving about (let’s just say I didn’t need a knife to slice it).
Shore excursionsViking prides itself on having at least one included shore excursion at each port, while a range of other options are offered for a fee. I choose to stay on board on the Brisbane port day as I’ve visited the city numerous times, plus I want to enjoy the ship crowd-free. But when we arrive at Airlie Beach, I’m keen to explore the Whitsundays, so I opt for the extra-fee RIB-boat ride to Whitehaven Beach, which includes a hike up to Hill Inlet Lookout and a delicious swim and snorkel.
7/9

Shore excursions

Viking prides itself on having at least one included shore excursion at each port, while a range of other options are offered for a fee. I choose to stay on board on the Brisbane port day as I’ve visited the city numerous times, plus I want to enjoy the ship crowd-free. 
But when we arrive at Airlie Beach, I’m keen to explore the Whitsundays, so I opt for the extra-fee RIB-boat ride to Whitehaven Beach, which includes a hike up to Hill Inlet Lookout and a delicious swim and snorkel.
What’s hotAs a bookworm I usually pack three books for a week away. Had I known the Viking’s Book Exchange would be so well-stocked, I would have left them at home and indulged in the library which covers everything from rom-coms to historic shipbuilding.What’s notWith no shade directly around the pools, it’s difficult to lay about after a swim without seriously overheating and burning. And on the topic, the on-board shop only sells one brand of expensive sunscreen spray, so make sure you pack your own.
8/9

What’s hot

As a bookworm I usually pack three books for a week away. Had I known the Viking’s Book Exchange would be so well-stocked, I would have left them at home and indulged in the library which covers everything from rom-coms to historic shipbuilding.

What’s not

With no shade directly around the pools, it’s difficult to lay about after a swim without seriously overheating and burning. And on the topic, the on-board shop only sells one brand of expensive sunscreen spray, so make sure you pack your own.
The verdict - 9/10Promoting itself as a kid-free and casino-free cruise line distinguishes Viking in a crowded market. And if I am leaving the kids at home I am more than happy to practise “quiet ship” etiquette.The writer was a guest of Viking Cruises. The 32-day Grand Australia Circumnavigation from December 30, 2025 starts at $19,995 a person twin share if booked before June 30. vikingcruises.com.au
9/9

The verdict - 9/10

Promoting itself as a kid-free and casino-free cruise line distinguishes Viking in a crowded market. And if I am leaving the kids at home I am more than happy to practise “quiet ship” etiquette.
The writer was a guest of Viking Cruises. The 32-day Grand Australia Circumnavigation from December 30, 2025 starts at $19,995 a person twin share if booked before June 30. vikingcruises.com.au
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