24 NORTHERN IRELAND
EEN from the quayside of Belfast port the sleek white eye-catching cruise liner Viking Sun dominates the water. The Viking company, which was established in 1997, are renowned for river cruises, but are relative newcomers to the ocean market. They now offer a wide variety of cruises on the high seas to many parts of the world.
June 2018 Travel News
Belfast welcomes newcomer to ocean cruise market S
Cruise ships are now daily visitors to Belfast. PAUL CLEMENTS takes a look onboard a newcomer to the ocean cruise market
Viking Sun tied up in Belfast for the first time
First impressions are of cool and spacious light-filled relaxing areas with Scandinavian influences on every level. The Viking Sun prides itself on two key highlights: its dining and spa treatments, and its rich cultural offerings. Guests can accompany the head chef to local markets, shopping for ingredients under his guidance. When they return to ship they experience a hands-on cookery class in the show kitchen where a five-course tasting menu is prepared, accompanied by paired wines. At some other restaurants, such as the Chef’s Table and the World Café, passengers sample an Italian tasting menu, or a variety of Venetian, Nordic, French and Chinese dishes, as well as regional variations, depending on the location. A favourite eating spot is Mamsen’s named after the founder’s mother, which serves Norwegian specialities at breakfast and lunch, and delicious Nordic pastries and open sandwiches.
A group of Northern Ireland travel agents on board the Viking Sun
Apart from eating well, you can also live well on this cruise with many calming treatments. The Liv Nordic Spa is designed for intense relaxation and mental healing, or guests can opt for the Nordic Bathing Ritual in the spa’s thermal suite which detoxes and eases tired muscles. In the sauna, birch twigs are used to stroke your body creating an awakening dry brushing sensation. There’s also an infinity pool, main pool with retractable dome, jacuzzi and fitness centre, and spaces for yoga and
Pilates. For those who enjoy games, you can have a go at table tennis, shuffleboard, scrabble, or bocce ball, similar to bowls. In these days of tourism appealing to the culturally curious, Viking’s destination-focused ocean cruises attract people who want to learn more about the history of each port. This includes on board talks, followed by guided shore excursions and a panoramic city tour. For those wishing to immerse themselves in Nordic history, the ship comes with an excellent exhibition area, scale models of Viking long ships in glass cabinets, and a well- stocked library with books about countries of the north, exploration, travel, history and art. The walls in the public areas, such as the elegant Living Room, are decorated with artwork. Here you can view prints by Edvard Munch, the Norwegian expressionist painter whose best-known work is ‘The Scream’. Well-appointed cabins come in five different
categories from the stateroom up to the biggest which are called explorer suites. All rooms have their own private bathroom with shower, heated floors and steam-free mirrors, a veranda, mini-bar with soft drinks, television, hair dryer and charging points. Onboard entertainment includes a string quartet, cabaret, films, as well as Abba and Beatles nights.
The Viking company is regarded as the world’s leading small ship cruise line operator with a fleet of 65 vessels. The ships are all identical in design and layout, and because of their size of 48,000 tons, they can access ports that large ships miss and consequently remain longer. Viking Sun is the fifth ocean ship, while Viking Orion will set sail later in 2018, and Viking Jupiter in 2019.
Up to 930 guests can be accommodated on a variety of itineraries that start in Scandinavia and the Baltic, through to the Western and Eastern Mediterranean and further afield.
Rathlin Sound Festival taking place...
THIS year's Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival runs until Sunday, June 3 promising a packed programme taking place between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island - the sound of water separating the two places. From the adrenaline rush of the Sailing
Regatta and races as well as exciting 'have a go' activities, to tempting food and craft markets, seriously scenic guided walks, exciting and informative talks and tours, exhibitions
and demonstrations, fun
competitions, friendly giants, currachs, Tall ship and Viking ships - there’s plenty to choose from including fantastic family friendly events. There's a fun-filled programme of events
for all to enjoy. At the very heart of the spectacular Causeway Coast and Glens the communities of Ballycastle and Rathlin Island join together annually to celebrate their rich and diverse maritime culture during the Festival.
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