If you’re searching for a cruise experience built around calm, comfort, and genuine connection — Viking’s Venus might be exactly what you’re hoping for. Here’s my first-hand look at sailing along Australia’s Queensland Coast, with every detail you want to know before you book.
Itinerary: Cairns to Sydney (part of the 17-day Komodo & Australian Coast route)
Ports of Call: Cairns, Townsville, Whitsundays, Newcastle, Sydney
Cabin: Deluxe Verandah Stateroom 3071, Deck 3
Your Viking experience begins before you step onboard. The pre-departure parcel arrives with a leather luggage tag and personalised embarkation details — a small detail, but it sets the tone for what’s to come.
The MyVikingJourney.com portal lets you pre-book excursions and dining, read up on ports, and manage every detail at your own pace. On embarkation day, check-in is smooth, staff are attentive, and safety briefings are straightforward — either in person or via your stateroom TV.
Viking’s ocean ships are designed to feel both airy and intimate. With only 930 passengers, you never queue for anything. The decor channels clean Scandinavian lines, with the kind of seating that makes lingering over a book or coffee a pleasure.
I particularly appreciated the World Café’s table settings — fresh flowers, crisp linens — which made even buffet meals feel special and unrushed.
Menus reflect the journey, with local Australian ingredients and regional specialties. My personal highlights:
Watching the sunset from the infinity pool at the stern, I felt the shift into holiday mode — pure contentment. The Nordic Spa, with its sauna, snow grotto, and heated stone loungers, deserves a special mention. I challenged myself to the cold plunge (one minute is plenty!) and left feeling genuinely rejuvenated.
One evening, the pool deck transformed for “Dancing Under the Stars.” Live music, open sky, and every generation out on the dance floor — it felt special, not staged. There’s live classical music throughout the ship, and cultural talks that draw on the destinations you’re visiting.
There are no inside cabins on Viking. Every stateroom comes with a verandah, so you wake to fresh sea air and fall asleep to peaceful waves.
Viking’s staff have a genuine knack for remembering names and preferences. There are no lanyards, no awkward formalities — just a friendly greeting and real attention to detail.
Q: Is it really all-inclusive, or are there hidden extras?
A: Nearly everything is included: shore excursions, Wi-Fi, drinks with meals, specialty dining, and thermal spa access. Only a few high-end spa treatments or extra-specialty excursions cost more.
Q: What’s the vibe onboard?
A: Relaxed, sociable, never crowded, and with a grown-up feel. It’s easy to make friends — most guests are well-travelled and happy to share stories.
Q: Is it worth upgrading to a Deluxe Verandah?
A: I found the extra space and upgraded amenities genuinely useful, especially for longer itineraries.
Q: How is Viking for solo or first-time cruisers?
A: Exceptionally welcoming for both. The staff go out of their way to help you feel at home, and there are plenty of solo travellers onboard.
Q: Any tips for first-timers?
A: Book your shore excursions and specialty dining early via MyVikingJourney.com for the best selection. And don’t skip afternoon tea — it’s a daily highlight.
If you value calm, comfort, and real cultural journeys, Viking sets the bar high. My advice: trust the repeat travellers. Viking really does deliver what it promises — and then some.
If you’re looking for a Viking Cruise travel agent specialist…
Hello I’m Bernadette, your personal travel agent with TravelManagers where I’ve taken my extensive experience from working in corporate travel to now arranging cruise holidays creating lifetime memories for my clients.
Please reach out and let’s chat all things Viking Cruises:
Mobile: 0491 689 870
Email: [email protected]
Website: travelmanagers.com.au/BernadetteAndrews
Happy Travels!
