royal viking sun cruise ship

Royal Viking Sun

Royal Viking Sun was designed by MEYER TURKU and delivered to Royal Viking Line in 1988. The 200-metre-long cruise ship has been travelling the world as “Amera” since the summer of 2019 – currently for the German tour operator “Phoenix Reisen”.

The vessel formerly known as “Royal Viking Sun” has also displayed other names on its dark blue hull over the years: It was called “Seabourn Sun” following its sale to Holland America Line (HAL) in 2000, and it was then renamed “Prinsendam”.

The elderly luxury liner can accommodate up to 768 passengers. Most of its staterooms are outside, and some have their own balcony. Guests can also enjoy the swimming pool at the stern, as well as two whirlpools and a sauna, gym and spa area. The cruise ship also has four restaurants, five bars, a theatre area at its front end, and a large event location on the eleventh deck.

• Cunard Adventurer
• Cunard Ambassador
• Cunard Countess
• Cunard Crown Dynasty
• Cunard Crown Jewel
• Cunard Crown Monarch
• Cunard Princess
• Queen Elizabeth
• Queen Elizabeth 2
• Queen Mary 2
• Queen Victoria

Royal Viking Sun

• Sea Goddess I
• Sea Goddess II
• Vistafjord / Caronia

The Royal Viking Sun entered Cunard service in 1994 after Cunard’s then owners, Trafalgar House Co., purchased Royal Viking Line.

Royal Viking Sun was one of the highest rated ships afloat. Trafalgar House Co., created the Cunard-Royal Viking brand which Royal Viking Sun sailed under.

Cunard sent the Royal Viking Sun on World Voyages and extended voyages, and remained a popular and highly rated ship.

When Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line merged, Royal Viking Sun was moved to the Seabourn brand.

After an extensive refit she emerged as the Seabourn Sun and recommenced cruising in late 1999.

In 2002 she undertook her last cruise for Seabourn which was a circumnavigation of South America. The ship was too large for Seabourn Cruise Line. The ship was then transferred to Holland America Line, which is also owned by Carnival Corporation.

She sailed as the Prinsendam, and performed the Global Roaming role for Holland America Line, with a loyal following, until 2018 when the ship was sold to Phoenix Reisen. Today she sails as MS Amera.

Image source: Simplon Post Cards

Chris Frame Official

Royal Viking Sun

Royal Viking Sun was designed by MEYER TURKU and delivered to Royal Viking Line in 1988. The 200-metre-long cruise ship has been travelling the world as “Amera” since the summer of 2019 – currently for the German tour operator “Phoenix Reisen”.

The vessel formerly known as “Royal Viking Sun” has also displayed other names on its dark blue hull over the years: It was called “Seabourn Sun” following its sale to Holland America Line (HAL) in 2000, and it was then renamed “Prinsendam”.

The elderly luxury liner can accommodate up to 768 passengers. Most of its staterooms are outside, and some have their own balcony. Guests can also enjoy the swimming pool at the stern, as well as two whirlpools and a sauna, gym and spa area. The cruise ship also has four restaurants, five bars, a theatre area at its front end, and a large event location on the eleventh deck.

CruiseOctopus.com

Formely crociere.co.uk, the rise and fall of royal viking line.

In the continuation of our ‘The Rise and Fall of’ series we are looking at Royal Viking Line. This is probably one of the most loved cruise lines to have ever ceased to exist. The Norwegian Company was based in San Francisco, founded as a partnership of three Norwegian shipping lines the company’s brand name continues to be held in high esteem.

The company was the pinnacle of the cruise industry, its ships sailed the world on longer cruises to exciting destinations, it’s customers where the rich and famous. The companies on board product was of a high standard matched today by companies such as Seabourn and Oceania. Royal Viking Line was one of the pioneers of the upmarket cruise segment.

Each vessel was owned by one of the founding partners, with Royal Viking Star being delivered in 1972, followed by Royal Viking Sky in 1973 and finally Royal Viking Sea later the same year. The ships where almost identical except Royal Viking Star. Which was two feet shorter, had an on board chapel as well as small differences to lounges and the location of the library. The line prided itself on single seat dining. The restaurant had large windows, food then, as now, was an important part of the cruise product.

The fleet was very successful and soon looked to expand. Rather than add an additional ship they lengthened the original trio of ships, however this backfired on the line – whose customer base loved the intimacy and high levels of service on board.  So beginning in 1980 each of the ships was stretched by adding a 93-foot mid section. With this midsection came nine new penthouse suites, 200 more passengers and an increased dining room to retain single seat dining.

This improved the vessels from an economic viewpoint but the loyal clientele that Royal Viking had previously thrived on turned their back on the fleet – although I cant really see where they went, Seabourn, Renaissance, Crystal and Radisson Seven Seas where all a decade away from beginning operations – any suggestions are more than welcome!

By 1984 the company had finally announced a new building, Royal Viking Sun was delivered in 1988, this ship was larger again than rest of the fleet, at 40,000 grt compared to the previous ships post stretch 28,0000 grt.  Royal Viking Sun benefitted from many balcony cabins and really brought Royal Viking back to its high end roots.

Also during 1984 the company arranged a management buyout from the founding partners. Weeks before completion of the buyout the company was sold to Kloster Cruise, the parent company of NCL. Four years earlier NCL had wowed the industry by buying the  France which had been in lay-up for several years and transforming her into the Norway . By far the largest cruise ship in the Caribbean, potentially the first ‘floating resort’.

As part of NCL the company suffered from the same problems as it parent company. NCL suffered from First Mover Disadvantage with the Norway as competitors launched new vessels which offered greater efficiencies and a better on board product during the 90’s. NCL quickly fell behind and would take over a decade to recover.

In 1990 the new parent company transferred Royal Viking Sea to sister premium brand Royal Cruise Line, where she took the name Royal Odyssey . Royal Viking Star moved to Norwegian as Westward , followed in 1991 by Royal Viking Sky as the Sunward . Sold the following year to Birka Line as Birka Queen , before being chartered to NCL in October 1992 resuming the name Sunward . Interestingly in 1993 she was chartered by Princess as Golden Princess .

To replace these ships Kloster acquired the last undelivered Seabourn triplet which became Royal Viking Queen in 1992 operating in direct competition with her Seabourn sisters. < See Here >.  Royal Viking Queen and Royal Viking Sun would serve together for two years.

In 1994 Kloster, NCL’s parent company, announced the disposal of the Royal Viking Brand and Royal Viking Sun to Cunard Line, who would continue to operate the vessel under the Cunard Royal Viking brand until 1999. Royal Viking Queen transferred to Kloster’s other premium cruise line, Royal Cruise Line, however as financial pressures continued this fleet was integrated into the NCL brand during 1996.

Cruising had changed significantly in the years that Royal Viking operated, with the introduction of Balconies being a main feature of a high end cruise product, the original trio of vessels were not designed with this in mind, However Royal Viking Sun as Prinsendam maintains a high end product, probably due to its forward thinking balcony focused design.. Under the ownership of Kloster the company lost more of its prestigious image as the company failed to adapt its mass market model to the market served by Royal Viking Line.

The fleet of Royal Viking Line have subsequently had in interesting history –

Royal Viking Star served for NCL as Westward before later serving as Star Odyssey as part of Royal Cruise Line and eventually being sold to Fred Olsen on the closure of that Line. She is now known as Black Watch .

Royal Viking Sea was transferred to Royal Cruise Line as Royal Odyssey , where on that cruise lines closure she became a member of the Norweigian fleet and eventually sold to Pheonix, the German cruise line, as Albatros .

Royal Viking Sky has had the more complicated history out of the three sisters, serving first as Sunward then Birka Queen , Golden Princess, in 1996 Birka sold her to Star Cruises who operated her as Superstar Capricorn until her sale to Iberojet as Grand Latino , finally joining the Fred Olsen Fleet as Boudicca.

Royal Viking Sun was sold to Cunard by Kloster along with the Royal Viking Brand to Cunard Line. The ship operated very much the same but with a red funnel, upon the merger of Seabourn and Cunard, Royal Viking Sun  became the  Seabourn Sun after an extensive refurbishment, however that did not last long and had very quickly transferred to Holland America where she remains as Prinsendam.

Royal Viking Queen was transferred to Royal Cruise Line upon the closure of Royal Viking Line, becoming Queen Odyssey . Financial pressures at Kloster meant that the ship was sold to Seabourn becoming Seabourn Legend , now operating as Star Legend for Windstar Cruises. < See Here >.

In an interesting twist of fate senior leaders from Royal Viking Line, including its one time CEO Torstein Hagen formed Viking River cruises. Torstein Hagen was the CEO who had attempted to buy Royal Viking from the founding partners before it was snapped up by Kloster. Viking has grown significantly since and recently launched its Ocean Cruising arm with Viking Star , to be followed by Viking Sea and Viking Sky . Anyone notice the similarity here? So maybe Royal Viking is back.

I have to say of the several ‘The Rise and Fall of’ series I’ve done this was the hardest, the cruise line was well and truly loved. But it was also mismanaged, the decision to lengthen the ships causing the loss of its original market and the financial controls of indebted Kloster strangled the line. Hopefully it has been reborn as Viking Ocean Cruises.

Please share your memories of the line below –

Thanks & Regards, Liam – [email protected] – Our Facebook –  Our Twitter

See the rest of the ‘The Rise & Fall of’ Series – – Premier Cruise Lines – Festival Cruises – Royal Olympia Cruises – Regency Cruises –

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44 thoughts on “ the rise and fall of royal viking line ”.

I truly wish that the Viking Ocean Cruises would get the name “Royal Viking” back.

My guess would be that the ‘Royal Viking’ name is still owned by Cunard Line unfortunately.

Probably yes. Then again, Cunard’s now-owners Carnival are generally quite business-savvyy, it’s a bit surprising they haven’t ressurrected the brand. Considering how lamented the loss of RVL is, it would probably beeasy to re-establish it. Especially as the Carnival Corp. still own the former RV Sun.

That could be an idea. At least the high standard they have on Viking River Cruises part of the company would make it worthy carrying that name. On other hand it was THE Royal Viking Line, which was one of the 3 first that built 5 star + liners (the others PC and RCL) and maybe the name should be left in peace, once it already has been “buried”?

monkey businesslike everywhere i know i work there form the bosses

I worked for RVL in 1980. Got to travel on Royal Viking Sky to Alaska. Loved the ship bit dont try to drink the same amount as the Norwegian Staff. They will sink you!

They’re not using it. unless Carnival has some upper market industry new strategy?Who knows!

The Royal Viking Sky has had a name that was not mentioned above. That would be “Hyundai Kumgang”, when she was chartered from Star Cruise to Hyundai for going between South and North Korea. So she got a name 9 times in all but has her 8th name at the moment. (She was twice called Sunward, Birka Queen just May-Sept 1992 in between.

Correction, she was also called Superstar Capricorn twice.

I think the loss ofcustomners because of lengthening is a bit of an urban legend. Passengers were probably disappointed by the less exclusive feel of the longer ships, yes, but whether or not this translated to major loss of passengers is questionable. Certainly the only line who could at the time match the RVL onboard product (on the English-speaking market) was Norwegian America Line, and they were struggling so much they ended up being bought by Cunard – not a sign of a company that suddenly gained a lot of passengers.

One thing that undoubtedly had an effect on RVL’s difficulties were the financial difficulties of their owners. Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab (Bergen Line) in particular were struggling (they were forced to sell both their share in Hurtigruten and the Norway-UK ferry services in the early 80s), and this undoubtedly made them both eager to sell RVL and resulted in RVL not getting as much financial support they would have needed. Also remember that the early 80s was the time of the second oil crisis, which affected cruise lines doing longer itineraries – RVL and NAL – in particular.

A lot of facts there that were new for me. The first part about the urban legend I think could be close to the truth. And maybe the 7-8 years during the 70’s these 5 star + liners had some golden years and after that there just happened to be a slight downturn in peoples interest in cruising? I think the ships had an exclusive atmosphere even after they were stretched, but maybe regulars like Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton, on the Sky, thought different as you said…

This is an interesting point Kalle, certainly the constrained finances of the owners for its entire existence were a problem for this line. Thank you for this insight.

And with Swedish-American Line gone as of 1975, RVL should have been able to survive. SAL and NAL were the only lines that topped RVL. Those were the days of truly deluxe cruising.

I started working for Kloster in 1988 as Mgr of Ship Systems and brought the Royal Viking Sun out of the shipyard. Then I had to retrofit systems into the original ships over 1989 – 1990. I loved the RVL product and those ships. I’m booking a cruise on Prinsendam next summer and hope to put a slide show together with photos from the building yard and inaugural cruise compared to present day decor from the same spots and angles if possible..

My theory on the death of RVL as a viable product is that increasing capacity with the Sun was the final straw, and not enough ‘real’ RVL passengers were left because they were literally dying off! So the new NCL parent reduced fares to fill the ships, drawing more passengers who didn’t meet the RVL standards, driving away the few remaining ones. By the way, then NCL bought RCL and did the same exact mistakes over again and killed another premium product by over capacity with the same ships plus the Crown Odyssey. At the same time Carnival was reinventing the industry at the bottom end with larger and larger ships at lower and lower rates.

I still like cruising, but find Silversea, Seabourn, and the few other real premium ships too expensive; while I don’t care for the massive mass market either. So I’ve been cruising on HAL which still looks classy onboard although the food quality is only average. The passenger count is much lower than almost all the others, which helps make it feel like higher quality at a price that’s competitive with NCL, Princess, RCCL, et al.

Greetings Liam, Thank you so much for the great story. I lived RVL from 1977 to 1980 Entertainers, as the duo “The Avons then, I became a CD from 1980 through 1994. I love being part of the family.I was part of the team to bring out the Sky and the Sea from Bremehaven after being stretched, Then I was there for the “Sun” in Finland and the “Queen” in Bremerhaven. It was an incredible roller coaster but, with different Norwegian financial directors. When I realised that Kloster was going to take over the whole operation was when I knew it was time to move on, I had always been proud to belong to the first “5 star” cruise line and I would only follow that code, 1994 I accepted a second offer from Crystal to join the team for the new “Crystal Symphony”. The team consisted of ex RVL Captains and Staff.and had already been successful bring out the “Crystal Harmony” It was the new RVL with old RVL passengers, they had also moved over!

Your story brings out the right story of the wrong decisions by too many different Norwegian Heads in turn lead to the demise of the company, not of the Crew or the Shoreside personal. A beautiful part of cruise history! Again thank you! Liam Ray Avon-Adams

Hi Ray, Saw your post while browsing the history of Royal Viking Line. I remember you very well. You were cruise director on the RV Sea while I was onboard as a bar keeper from December 1980 to June 1981. You always reminded me of the radio personality and DJ Paul Gambachini !! Great times and never to be forgotten. I was also on the Star and the Sky right up to late 1983. I was on board the Star when we took her out of Bremerhaven after stretching. She was the first ship to be lengthened and I always felt that the stretching was a marvellous innovation at the time and very revolutionary. The Star had an ambience and character all its own. No other ship in the fleet came near it for comradeship and fellowship between crew members, which in turn was reflected in the service we gave and affection we had for all our lovely passengers. I feel nothing but sadness now to see our beautiful ships being passed from pillar to post under dubious flags in recent years. I now live in Hobart and we have 200 cruise ships per year dock in our beautiful city. I still watch them with interest and reflect on my time with RVL each time a ship arrives and departs. But they are all hideous, monstrous cattle carriers full of tired, overworked and very frightened crew members who never know if they still have a job after they return from their meagre shore leave. What a sad reflection on an industry which used to be so exciting and was such a huge part of the lives of all of us who served on board the greatest ships that ever sailed. Godspeed ! John Doolan.

Hi, Ray. Don’t know if Elaine is still around? I cruised RVL from 1977 to around 1989, Star, Sea, Sky and Sun. So many great memories, and so many great companions. Such a pity it didn’t go on longer. My eldest child was on-board the Star on his first cruise at three months old, when the ship’s carpenter made him a crib overnight, after sailing from Copenhagen, because they’d never had such a young passenger before (he’s 40 now, lol), and had no cribs on board! Being sent ashore from the Sun in 1988, on a rubbish barge when the Save The Children charity ‘bash’ wound down, and the ship was anchored in the middle of the Thames by Tower Bridge, was an experience too (especially as Viscount Linley {if I remember correctly} got a bed on-board, ‘cos he was too tipsy to leave), that I still smile about. You, and Elaine I think, were there that night. Memories …

Old acquaintances may email (if allowed on here) [email protected] .

Ray, hi! I was harpist on all RVL ships! Playing Elegant Teatime, mid buffet, piano on RCSun private dining room. So Happy to hear from you! Loved working on cruise ships and Still want to cruise playing piano or harp. Are you still working on cruise ships? All the best, Celeste Carneal, Harpist

Thank you for a fair assessment of this wonderful company and her original three lovely ships…As a Royal Viking Line Staff member aboard from 1985-1990, I can only say we went beyond service, beyond style and the ships beauty shone, beyond grace. It was truly a magnificent era, short or stretched, our R.V.L. Skald members (repeat passengers) couldn’t have been more loyal and loving to all of us as we were to them. So, on behalf of our professional and international management on shore, to our top notch Norwegian Captains, dynamic officers, International and highly trained galley and crew, shore excursion expertise, English beauty and European gift shops, fabulous entertainment and multi-diversified enrichment lecturers and the beauty and responsible Scandinavian stewardess’ – life on board the R.V.L. ships was a dream come true and fell completely in line with the exciting and breathtaking whims of our unique ports of call. Fall? Never! Anyone who experienced Royal Viking Line in some capacity came away with a experience of a lifetime and this of life’s enhancements can never die or fall, just pass on in time as we do here on the planet with wonderful, heartfelt and truly life-changing experiences. Here’s to R.V.L. and her creators! . Skol!

i had been working for RVL and we, are still looking back for these great times working and serving on a ship( RV QUEEN & RV SUN) like these two, recently I went back to the sea, now for Crystal, where I met a few of my old Co workers……it had been some very passionate moments met people after 20 years time again…….I can tell you one thing and it is true, RV FAMILY stay always FAMILY………and a little bit I discover it again in CRYSTAL. Still I have my doubts that Viking Line can pic up what we all lost in the early 90, Time changed and that make it really difficult to recover an old DREAM ……….

The so-call fact that passenger did not come back after the extension of the ship’s is not true – they did in fact keep coming back to the line. But as owners of the Royal Viking Sea had financial trouble resulting from ordering an oil carrier from a finnish shipyard which they finally had to pay. RCL was just a day away from buying the r v sea Wien the two other owners exercised greit right and bought the rvsea. Them a joint company was established. The company started the downton trend when it was bought by Kloster cruise. I had the pleasure of working with Royal Viking Line in the 1972 to 1987 period.

I had the amazing honor of working for Royal Viking Cruise Line Skald Club division from 1988 to 1996 (when it was purchased by Cunard). Never before or since have I experienced such love and good will as I did with my fellow employers, co-workers and the wonderful and loyal Skald Club members. I was fortunate enough to periiodically escort the RVL Skald Cruises and met some of the most wonderful people on earth. What loyalty we had, what love we felt….both for our jobs as well as our passengers. I believe the bottom line is that Skald Club members (repeat passengers) sadly began to pass away. That, coupled with bad corporate decisions and changing times caused a beloved family to die. I was in my 30’s at the time and now, at almost 60 years old, I still cherish my years in that special place and magical era with my beloved Skalds. I will forever be thankful to have been a part of Royal Viking Line and our Skalds! Skol!

I was just sent your web site and article. Very interesting! Especially for an ex RVL member. I was Blessed to have been the first RVL Entertainment Manager; working out of London/Oslo and SF; as the ships were being built. I was contracted by Warren Titus from Fred Olsen in 1972, at which time I was also performing on the BBC and working on the stage in the West End. For the first three years I worked out of our London/Oslo offices, then moved to SF. With all the “take overs” I ended up at Cunard in NY and Miami. The thirty years I was involved in the cruise industry was a “dream”. There were and are so many wonderful persons that I meet from staff to passengers. I ended marrying a beautiful Norwegian wife (past away early in life) and a wonderful son (living in Oslo). I could go on for hours speaking about the adventure RVL took us all on. Memories!!!

Brian, I stumbled on this website and caught your name. You hired me in SF in the early/mid ’70s on I believe the RVSEA as an assistant Stage Manager in which capacity I was given your blessing to creatively design many of the “theme” nights in the main lounge.

I remember making a forced perspective 20 or 30ft.mock up of our ship asa backdrop for the “Captain’s Dinner” complete with working party lights.It was later put into another use when crew members hung it over the side of the rail as we passed sister ship the Sea or Sky in the Panama Canal with the attached sign,”WE had a Baby!” What fun. classy days before cruise ships became floating malls with rock climbing and even ice rinks, the very stuff you go to sea to get away from!

I went on to a successful career as a Professor of Theatre, Scenic Designer, married for 34 years with our own kids and two adopted special needs siblings. But I do remember how “first class” you were and the Cruise Directors/staff you hired as wonderful. talented and warm company. Hope you are well and blessed.

I worked the whole Mediterranean on RV Sun. memories I’ll never forget. also Alaska RV Sky.

Steinar,who are you? I am Erik Bøen and i worked on the RV Sea from 1973 to 74.

Worked at RVL from 1974 to 1987, both in San Francisco as well in Oslo. Responsible for all port calls as well as purchasing all bunkers worldwide. Did also made all the itineraries (sheduled) In the same period, did also travel quite intensivly inspecting ports and setting up embark/disemb of pax. Was also a member the R V Sun design Team, but has never been onboard the Vessel. Great place to work.

A Serb from Belgrade. Waiter onboard Star, Sky and Sun. When chatting with former colleagues, we all share the same feeling: For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

However, chatting with myself, the tune slightly changes… Yesterday… All my troubles seemed so far away Now it looks as though they’re here to stay Oh, I believe in yesterday.

What else to say… Words are not enough. And never will be. I do hope that somewhere, high above, possibly in heavens, it still can be heard – the departure theme: And she sails away like a french palais with the lords and ladies smiling… ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If someone remembers the rest, please, feel free to fill the blanks! 🎵⛴

[…] The Rise & Fall of Premier Cruise Lines – The Rise & Fall of Festival Cruises – The Rise & Fall of Royal Viking Line – The Rise & Fall of Regency Cruises – The Rise & Fall of Royal Olympic […]

Was myself on this ship brought her out from the ship yart Wäärtsila in Helsinki 1972 on her Maiden Voyage throug the Norwegian Fjords,it was a lovely summer then. Bacame after Frank Tuchel left Executive Chef de Cuisine and have very nice memories of the time i was on this Ship. Left in 1974 in autom maybe someone who was on the Star at that time when I was there please contact me her in austria where i enjoi my redirement Years!

I was onboard the Royal Viking Star from Sep 1973 – July 1976 and I remember the chef Frank Tuchel. I was a Quartermaster and worked in the deck department my name is Frank Pawlowski

The Royal Viking Sea was not sold to Phoenix Cruises because they don’t own a single ship. The vessel is owned and operated by VShips and wet chartered to Phoenix. When I was a little boy I proudly owned a high gloss Royal Viking Brochure and considered these – at the time – three ships as the ultimate in the cruise industry. Interestingly the most luxurious car ferries of that time period were also called Sea, Sky and Star, with the prefix Mediterranean, operated by Karageorgis Lines. Maybe the passengers moved on to Norwegian America Line (not to confuse with NCL), that operated the superb Vistafjord and Sagafjord?

This is all very interesting.I worked on the RVL Star and Sky from 1983 through 1987 on and off…….I was a drummer in the main lounge show bands,working for Abe Weinstein musical direstor.Greg Von Seeger was head of entertatinment shore side.Incredible times and experiences travling the world as young man on those ships.They will always be close to my heart as were those days …..looking back.Wonderful experience!

I worked on RV Star in 1984-89 and then a short spell on RV Sun. Several comments in this thread has mentioned the crew and the ambience onboard. To this day, 2019, former crew members are arranging reunions that attract up to 200 guests. The bi annual one in Geilo, Norway, possibly being the largest with former crew traveling from as far as USA to attend. There have also been several reunion cruises onboard the Star/ Black Watch and some on the Sky/Boudicca. These two ships are well taken care of by Fred Olsen. So a lot of people invest their own money and holiday time ( many are no longer working though) to take part in reunions for a company that ceased to exist close to 30 years ago. How is that for loyalty and love for those lovely ships and the great time we shared. “Happy crew, happy ship”.

My father, William Schilling, enjoyed 36 cruises, most on Royal Viking ships, and took my family on our first cruise on the Sky. What a memorable experience! No cruise since can compare with the luxurious surroundings or the friendliness and attention of the crew.

[…] turn Holland America around in the late 1970s and ’80s and then went on to be chief executive of Royal Viking Line before losing out in an attempted management buyout to fellow Norwegian Knut Kloster, who had […]

My parents were definitely not part of the “rich and famous”, but they were big fans of RV and especially the RV Sky. I have recently been scanning old slides, and found some of them on a cruise in Norway in 1979. I started to look for photos on line to see if I could match up a few of the views of parts of the ship to see if this was a cruise they took with Royal Viking, although I do not remember them discussing other cruise lines. At the time, I could barely afford to pay my bills, and did not have time for travel. Upon retirement in 2005, my wife and I decided to follow their lead, and we started with Princess. We also tried Holland America and Royal Caribbean. Our last two cruises were Viking on the Sky, and we have found our new favorite ocean line. Sadly our first Viking River cruise has been on hold during the Covid pandemic. Thanks for filling me in on the history of Royal Viking, and letting me know about the tie-in with Viking and Torstein Hagen.

I worked on three RVL ships, the Sea, Star and Sky as waiter, bar waiter and deck steward, I joined Royal Viking Sea in 1981/82 from San Francisco, those were the days……..wish I could turn back time 🙂

I loved reading this article. My dad worked in the Royal Viking Sky in 1974 and 1975. I have many pictures of him around the world from those trips. He recently passed away and I have been trying to find more about the boat. Thanks for sharing this information

Loved these ships, I also had a glossy brochure from the post-extension STAR but was not able to sail aboard until she was the BLACK WATCH. I recognize some of the factoids from my early efforts at a Wikipedia entry for RVL, which has since been “improved” by others.

I work six years onboard the sea and sky 78-84 fantastic ships the running of them was second to none the best of the best juliette

Do you remember me, Juliette ? David from Malta ! In 81/82 I joined RV Sea than in 83 I was transferred to the Sky

I worked on the RV Sea from 1991 to 1994 in the provision rooms under Sigurd Galteland, the best boss I ever had. We had a blast as we were a good team down there and lot’s of time off in ports. Remember storing over 700 pallets of food in LA before the Around the World cruise. Eduardo was a gentle and lovely person to wotk with but Max, the mad butcher was a real weirdo. Guess you have to be weird to be a butcher on a ship like that. I just saw that the Viking Line ships have reincarnated and still offer round the world cruises. Great! Sad to see that my beloved RV Sea was scrapped in India 2001. I would have gone there to document it if I knew

Wow, I just came across this and it brings back so many great memories… reading the history and the comments.

I was the male vocalist on RV Star during 1974 under CD David de Havilland the cruise director a great guy and CD, and then moved to RV Sky in 1975 getting off in San Francisco in Sept. ’75. These were some of the most fabulous days of my life. David reported to Brian Beaton, who I see posted here earlier, and who I trust is still with us. I believe I met Brian in SFO. It was a fabulous cruise line with wonderful people, including the Star’s captain Torbjorn Saetre (last name spelling incorrect I think). The memories!❤️!

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Viking Sun Cruise Ship

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12 Ships in the Viking Ocean Cruises fleet

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Viking Sun Overview

Viking Sun is a state-of-the-art ship designed to provide a level of comfort only known to Viking guests. Her understated elegance is a fusion of modern Scandinavian elements with a touch of Viking Cruises’ staple design pieces. With a guest capacity of 930, you’re sure to feel the intimacy and thoughtfulness behind each innovation. Look forward to an enriching experience both on and off the ship as Viking Sun heads into less frequented ports for amazing destination immersion excursions. Enjoy an all-veranda stateroom equipped with luxurious amenities to enhance your cruise experience. Feel right at home in an Explorer Suite furnished with luxury robes, slippers and toiletries, interactive TV and movies-on-demand, Wi-Fi, direct dial satellite phone, cell service, mini-bar with alcoholic drinks and a welcome bottle of champagne. Her Veranda Suites are no less stunning, so be sure to de-stress and rejuvenate. Find out more about Viking Oceans’ Viking Sea by giving us a call today at 1-800-377-9383.

• Passenger Capacity: 930
• Year Built: 2017
• Last Refurbished: N/A

• The Spa and Snow Grotto There’s nothing more amazing than a holistic wellness session under a ceiling of gently descending snowflakes with a steam room, sauna and plunge pool right next door. Get a taste of Nordic culture as your circulatory system receives some much needed stimulation. This exotic relaxation haven awaits your presence.  

• Main Pool If you can imagine a hot tub session with a calming oasis effect by day and a magical “Movies under the Stars” date by night, you’re welcome to lounge by Viking Sun’s Main Pool. This is a great spot to socialize, compete in lap swims, soak up some sun and indulge in your favorite cocktails.  

• The Theater Let your destination immersion journey start right onboard at The Theater. Here, history, culture and art are unveiled through enrichment lecturers, first-run films, destination-driven movies, live performances, beautifully themed shows and enlightenment speeches. Kick back in spacious sofa seating and enjoy every moment.  

Viking Sun Cruise Destinations

Being one of the youngest cruise lines in the industry, Viking Oceans is sticking to sailings in Europe. Their elegant ships offer Mediterranean itineraries where you’ll experience all aspects of the culture from trying the exalted cuisine to visiting the sights that continue to inspire artists and intellectuals to this day like the lavender fields in Aix or the Parthenon in Athens. There are also northern European itineraries that focus on the Viking culture of Scandinavia and the beauty of the Norwegian fjords.

Viking Sun Departure Ports

Go in-depth in Europe with a cruise on the brand-new Viking Oceans cruise line. Viking Oceans is committed to enriching each of their passengers with the rich culture and heritage of Europe. Their first set of itineraries embarks from major cities on the continent like Istanbul, Barcelona and Stockholm. If you want to learn more about this new cruise line keep exploring our site and give our expert cruise consultants a call. 

Viking Sun Deck Plans

Viking sun staterooms.

Balcony (DV1)

Private veranda. King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows. 42" flat-screen, interactive TV. Mini-bar with soft drinks, water & snacks. Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror. Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers. Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping.

Balcony (DV2)

Balcony (dv3), balcony (dv4), balcony (dv5), balcony (dv6).

Balcony (V1)

Private veranda. King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows. 42" flat-screen, interactive TV. Mini-bar with soft drinks, water & snacks; security safe; hair dryer. Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror. Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers. Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping. Spacious closet & drawers.

Balcony (V2)

Suite (PS1)

Suite (ES1)

King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows. Two 42" flat-screen, interactive TVs. Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages. Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, double-sink vanity, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror. Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers. Spacious closet & drawers. Well-appointed living room & dining area that seats 4 guests.

Suite (ES2)

Suite (es3).

Largest suite on board: including expansive private veranda (multi-room suite). King-size Viking Explorer Bed. Three 42 flat-screen, interactive TVs. Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages. Spacious walk-in closet & drawers. Separate dining area for 6 guests. Private library. Ocean-view dry sauna. Boardroom for business meetings & catered dinner parties. Complimentary shore excursion with private car & driver (valued at up to $800). Dinner & guided tour with ship officers (subject to availability).

Suite (PV1)

Private veranda. King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows. 42" flat-screen, interactive TV. Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages. Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, double-sink vanity, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror. Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers. Spacious closet & drawers.

Suite (PS2)

Private veranda. King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows. Two 42" flat-screen, interactive TVs. Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages. Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, double-sink vanity, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror. Freyja toiletries; plush robes & slippers. Spacious closet & drawers.

Suite (PS3)

Suite (pv2), suite (pv3), photo gallery for viking sun cruise ship.

Want to learn more about Viking Oceans, the newest cruise line to sail the seven seas, then check out this photo gallery with images of their upcoming ships. 

Explorer Suite aboard Viking Sun

Atrium aboard Viking Sun

Aquavit Terrace aboard Viking Sun

Infinity Pool aboard Viking Sun

Spa aboard Viking Sun

Theater aboard Viking Sun

Top 10 Viking Sun Cruises

Learn more about viking ocean cruises.

Accessibility

Learn about Viking Oceans' handicap accessible ocean cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities.

Savor dining aboard Viking Oceans cruises, including main Restaurant, Italian Grill, World Café and indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace.

Entertainment

Enjoy Viking Oceans' onboard entertainment, including theater shows, onboard movies, lively bars and friendly lounges.

Onboard Activities

Engage in Viking Oceans' onboard activities, including pools, cooking demonstrations, port lectures, cultural enrichment programs and more.

Service & Awards

Learn how Viking Oceans takes care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Viking Oceans' cruising awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax in Viking Oceans' onboard spa with a snow grotto and sauna, as well as the relaxing Wintergarden lounge.

Special Events

Celebrate special events and milestone moments at sea with Viking Ocean Cruises.

Explore Viking Oceans' all-veranda cruise staterooms, including Explorer Suites, Penthouse Suites, Penthouse Verandas, Deluxe Verandas and Verandas.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Viking Oceans. There isn't a formal youth program yet, but we'll provide more information as it becomes available.

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• Phoenix Reisen

Former names: MS Prinsendam (Holland America), Seabourn Sun, Royal Viking Sun (Cunard)

Cruise line Phoenix Reisen

• Bremerhaven (Bremen, Germany)

Amera current position

Amera current location is at West Mediterranean (coordinates 38.01375 N / 12.50817 E) cruising en route to Sorrento. The AIS position was reported 6 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Amera

Amera current cruise is 17 days, one-way from Bremerhaven to Savona . The itinerary starts on 01 Oct, 2024 and ends on 18 Oct, 2024 .

Specifications of Amera

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Amera Itineraries

Amera review, review of amera.

The 1988-built (as "MS Prinsendam") MS Amera cruise ship was previously operated by Holland America Line - for 17 years (between 2002-2019). The small-sized vessel was initially built for Royal Viking Line (1972-1998 / defunct ) under the name "Royal Viking Sun". It was purchased by Cunard Line and operated until 1998 (as Royal Viking Sun), then was transferred to Seabourn and in the period 1999-2002 was named Seabourn Sun.

The vessel (IMO number 8700280) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311000840) and registered in Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

The German cruise tour company Phoenix Reisen (shipowner) started cruise operations under its own brand in 1988, with the chartered for 20 years liner TS Maxim Gorkiy (1969-2009 scrapped, owned by USSR's Black Sea Shipping Company / later privatized and renamed Sovcomflot). In 1993, Phoenix Reisen added a second cruise liner - SS Albatros (1957-built as RMS Sylvania, 2004-scrapped as SS Genoa). The vessel was chartered from V-Ships for 10 years (1993-2003). Today, Phoenix Reisen (travel agency and cruise brand) has a large fleet of chartered and owned ocean ships and riverboats.

Amera cruise itinerary program

Phoenix Reisen's Amera cruise itinerary program is based on European voyages (Baltic, Mediterranean, Black Sea) and a once-per-year World Cruise. In Northern Europe, the ship is homeported in Bremerhaven Germany . In the Mediterranean, the ship leaves out of various ports, mainly in Italy and France.

Decks and Cabins

MS Prinsendam/Amera staterooms (419 total) include 67 Suites, 99 Balcony, 31 Inside, 6 Single cabins, in all 23 grades. Most MS Prinsendam staterooms were 150-270 ft2 / 14-25 m2 Oceanviews (222). MS Amsterdam's largest was the Pinnacle Suite (860 ft2 / 80 m2 plus 335 ft2 / 31 m2 terrace). MS Amera's largest is the Royal Suite (860 ft2 / 80 m2 with the balcony).

The MS Amera ship is conditionally suitable for guests using wheelchairs. There are cabins (#801, 807, 820, 828, 1016, 1019) on the Salon and Jupiter decks that are wheelchair-accessible (disability-friendly) with wide door entrances, a shower with grab bars, no threshold to the bathroom.

The boat has 13 decks , of which 9 passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS Amera guests can benefit from culinary highlights at various events in the ship's restaurants, with long table times and a free choice of seats. MS Amera has two equivalent restaurants named "Amera" (buffet-style breakfast, waiter-served lunch, and dinner) and "Ocean" (buffet-style/waiter-served breakfast; waiter-served lunch and dinner). Another dining venue is the Lido Buffet Restaurant. In addition, passengers have the opportunity to book a table for a special evening in Pichler's Restaurant (reservations are only possible onboard, no extra charge is applied). Many cafes, bars, and lounges (both inside and out) are also available on various decks.

During the day, passengers can expect a variety of program offers and in the evening live music and show entertainment. The onboard boutiques sell perfumes, jewellery, toiletries, cosmetics, souvenirs, sweets, and a selection of women's and men's clothing. Many onboard events and shore excursions are accompanied by a professional photographer and cameraman. Guests can buy the resulting photos at the photoshop. Weddings or renewal of the vows is possible onboard for voyages of 10 days or more. The ceremony is performed by the on-board chaplain or the captain.

MS Amera has a whirlpool, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and a large SPA with spa area, saunas, steam room, relaxation room, massage department (for a fee), and beauty salon. Reservations for the ship's SPA & Wellness area are possible online from approximately two weeks prior to the departure.

MS Amera provides a modernly furnished infirmary (ship hospital) run by a German-speaking doctor whose services are not part of the travel contract. In all cases, the doctor charges a fee for his services and the costs of medicines. Oxygen devices working with ambient air are allowed onboard.

Photos of Amera

Amera ship related cruise news

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Phoenix Reisen's cruise ship Amera modifies route to avoid hurricane

Phoenix Reisen's ship Amera is currently sailing on a 38-day Transatlantic voyage to Greenland and Canada. The vessel was forced to change her route...

Port of Montreal (Quebec Canada) to receive 46 port calls in 2022

This spring, after a couple of seasons were canceled due to the COVID crisis, voyages are set to make a comeback at Port Montreal (Quebec Canada). A...

Port Santander Spain to welcome Phoenix Reisen’s ship AMERA

Phoenix Reisen’s Amera ship is expected to dock on Saturday, September 18, at the Port of Santander (Spain Cantabria) with 617 passengers...

Port Riga (Latvia) welcomes 3rd cruise ship for 2021

From September 1, 2021, cruise passengers with a valid European Digital COVID certificate don't have to fill out an electronic "Covidpass" form when...

9 COVID crew on Phoenix Reisen's ship Amera

The number of COVID cases on Phoenix Reisen's cruise ship MS Amera in Bremerhaven Germany rose to 9. The head of the Bremerhaven health...

Tunisia Welcomes First Cruise Ship Since 2015

MS Amera (owned by Phoenix Reisen) arrived on Thursday in Tunis (Port La Goulette) carrying a total of 1090 passengers. This is the first cruise ship...

Port of Odessa Welcomes First Cruise Ship in 2 Years

Phoenix Reisen’s cruise ship MS Amera (fka Prinsendam) became the first vessel to visit Port Odessa Ukraine in over 2 years. The vessel's...

Cruise Port Celebrates 20 Years of Cruise Travel

Marking 20 years of cruising operations, Port of Tyne (South Shields, England) saw its first cruise call by Cunard's liner Royal Viking Sun (now...

•   show more news

Other Phoenix Reisen cruise ships

• MS Anna Katharina
• MS Annabelle
• MS Deutschland-World Odyssey
• MS Prinzessin Isabella
• MS Prinzessin Katharina
• MS Prinzessin Sisi
• MS Rhein Prinzessin
• MS Switzerland
• MS Thurgau Silence
• RV Charaidew
• RV Lan Diep
• RV Rajmahal

Holland America Prinsendam was the company's smallest and oldest ship. The vessel is of the unique Explorer-class, and its history includes the following former names, shipowners and operators - "MS Royal Viking Sun" (1988-1998, by Royal Viking Lines and Cunard Line / 1994-1998), "MS Seabourn Sun" (for Seabourn , 1998-2002) and "MS Prinsendam" (2002-2019, by Holland America Line / Seattle -based cruise company owned by Carnival Corporation ).

Ship's Maiden Voyage was on November 29, 1988 (after the drydock in Turku Finland ). Prinsendam's first World Cruise was in 1989 (100-day itinerary leaving from San Francisco CA ). Because of its design, smaller size/capacity and the "Around The World" voyage every year (since 1988), Prinsendam in HAL's fleet was nicknamed "Elegant Explorer". MS Prinsendam was Holland- flagged (MMSI number 244126000). MS Amera was reflagged to Bahamas (MMSI 311000840).

In July 2018, the vessel was sold to Phoenix Reisen , starting operations for the German travel company on July 1, 2019. Under its new name (MS Amera) it was officially christened in Port Bremerhaven on August 16. The vessel is owned by Phoenix Reisen and managed by BSM (Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, a 2000-founded subsidiary of Bernhard Schulte GmbH und Co KG). The cruise liner received several major technical upgrades during the drydocking in 2019 at Blohm+Voss Shipyard ( Hamburg ).

Prinsendam's cruise schedule was assimilated by the fleetmates MS Rotterdam , MS Volendam and MS Veendam (now Aegean Majesty) . Prinsendam's last cruise for Holland America was scheduled for June 3, 2019. The 14-day "British Isles Explorer" itinerary was priced from USD 5400 pp (double occupancy).

Prinsendam/Amera ship refurbishments review

The Prinsendam-Amera ship drydock refurbishment (6-week project) was conducted by Blohm+Voss Shipyard ( Hamburg Germany ).

Along with the general maintenance works, all cabins were renovated, while most public venues were redesigned (partially or completely), mainly on decks 7 (Boardwalk) and 8 (Salon). The open deck area (Panorama Deck 12) was redesigned for mini-golfing.

MS Amera was upgraded with mobile business solutions provided by Resco ( Bratislava Slovakia -based software company). The package included PMS (Property Management Software) with eMuster, aPOS (Point of Sale / cloud-based), eCheck-in, AVO (real-time tracking of cabin staff operations), eConcierge (with mobile apps).

MS Amera's last drydock refurbishment was in 2023 (September 27-December 14/planned, delayed to January 14, 2024) conducted at Remontowa shipyard ( Gdansk Poland ). The project (managed by BSM Cruise Services) included a powerplant upgrade (replacement of the diesel engines, gearboxes, alternators, main switchboard), propulsion upgrades (new propellers), technical overhaul (machinery repairs and modifications), renovations of venues and accommodations (Ocean Restaurant, 232 stateroom bathrooms, Royal Suite redesign, recarpeting of all public areas).

Phoenix Reisen Amera inaugural Itineraries 2019

Starting service for Phoenix Reisen in July 2019, MS Amera was homeported in Bremerhaven Germany for regularly scheduled roundtrip itineraries.

Next table shows the boat's inaugural cruise for Phoenix Reisen

( Maiden Voyage ) 5-day "Premierenreise mit Taufevent"

7-day inaugural Norwegian Fjords ("Fjordnorwegen vom Feinsten")

CaptainsVoyage.com

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My Royal Viking Sun 

A few days ago, a very special cruise ship came to visit Trondheim: she is currently sailing as the Prinsendam of Holland America Lines, but to me, she will always be the Royal Viking Sun. As you may know, the Royal Viking Sun is the first ship I worked on for an extended time: for nearly 4 years she was my home, and took me to some of the most exotic places around the world that you can ever imagine.  As you can see from these below images taken last week, she still retains her elegant and timeless beauty. Since my time, she has however been rebuilt slightly above the Promenade deck aft, which I think could have been done a little better using some curves as opposed to square corners. But, thankfully, from certain angles, the rebuild is harder to spot.  Each time I see this ship, I always get a big lump in my throat and some pretty wonderful memories comes to mind. Nearly 3 decades have now passed since I last signed off the Royal Viking Sun in Barcelona for a transfer back to the SS Norway. I still remember the day I signed off, and when I stood on the dock looking up at the bridge of the ship.   

Royal Viking Sun

General Arrangement, 1987

Archives: Royal Viking Sun

• July 16, 2011

The Royal Viking Sun, pictured here sailing for Royal Viking Line. The 37,848-ton vessel was launched from Wärtsilä in Finland in 1988, became the Seabourn Sun in 1999, after operating under the Cunard Line umbrella for a few years, and has been the Prinsedam for Holland America Line since 2002.

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Royal Viking Sun (or MS Amera , Seabourn Sun, Prinsendam ) is a cruise ship operated by Phoenix Reisen. She was launched under the Royal Viking Sun in 1988 and started operating on the Cunard Line under the same name in 1994. When Seabourn Cruise Line acquired the ship in 1999, she changed her name to Seabourn Sun. In 2002, Seabourn transferred the ship to the Holland America Line and changed its name to Prinsendam. In 2018, Prinsendam was sold to Phoenix Reisen, making its debut in 2019.

History [ ]

As royal viking sun [ ].

She was launched in 1988 as Royal Viking Sun for Royal Viking Line.

Cunard Line [ ]

In 1994, Cunard Line purchased Royal Viking Sun and the Royal Viking brand. Cunard continued to operate her under the same name but they repainted her funnel in their colours and retained the Royal Viking logo.

• 1 RMS Titanic
• 2 IJN Akagi
• 3 RMS/HMHS Britannic

Royal Viking Sun

Royal Viking Sun was designed by MEYER TURKU and delivered to Royal Viking Line in 1988. The 200-metre-long cruise ship has been travelling the world as “Amera” since the summer of 2019 – currently for the German tour operator “Phoenix Reisen”.

The vessel formerly known as “Royal Viking Sun” has also displayed other names on its dark blue hull over the years: It was called “Seabourn Sun” following its sale to Holland America Line (HAL) in 2000, and it was then renamed “Prinsendam”.

The elderly luxury liner can accommodate up to 768 passengers. Most of its staterooms are outside, and some have their own balcony. Guests can also enjoy the swimming pool at the stern, as well as two whirlpools and a sauna, gym and spa area. The cruise ship also has four restaurants, five bars, a theatre area at its front end, and a large event location on the eleventh deck.

Royal Viking Sun

Later seabourn sun, later prinsendam, later amera.

The former Royal Viking Sun is presently operated as Amera for Phoenix Reisen. Built in 1988 at the Wärtsilä shipyard in Turku (now Meyer Turku ) for the erstwhile Royal Viking Line, Royal Viking Sun has also been sailing as Prinsendam for Holland America Line from 2002 - 2019 after a short intermezzo as Seabourn Sun for Seabourn . A short summary of her history and some pictures of the vessel are found at Simplon Postcards .

Photos showing her in her present condition are found at oceanliner-pictures.com . For footage on her constrution watch this video at YouTube .

During a world cruise in 1996 Royal Viking Sun ran aground on a coral reef in the Gulf of Aqaba and sprung leak. All passengers were safely evacuated. The ship was seized for a while by Egyptian authorities and resumed operation two months after the incident following a refit in Malta.

A plan of Royal Viking Sun is available at Associazione Navimodellisti Bolognesi .

The here presented video clips were shot during a Mediterranean cruise aboard Royal Viking Sun in 1997. At this time Royal Viking Line was part of Cunard .

Royal Viking Sun has some very nice features but also quite a few shortcomings and a rather strange overall arrangement. However, she underwent refits before joining Seabourn, Holland America and Phoenix. Especially her interior - originally designed by Njål R. Eide - is now in a different condition as seen in the videos shared on this webpage and many of her flaws have been corrected by now.

Amera - IMO: 8700280 @ MarineTraffic

Passing Capri aboard Royal Viking Sun

Royal Viking Sun - Promenade Deck

Sunset - Sea of Marmara - Royal Viking Sun

On Deck - Royal Viking Sun

Royal Viking Sun - Stella Polaris Observation Lounge

Captain's Cocktail Aboard Royal Viking Sun

Royal Viking Sun - Royal Viking Dining Room

Royal Viking Sun - Interior Views

Arriving at Istanbul aboard Royal Viking Sun

Leaving Istanbul aboard Royal Viking Sun

Arriving at Sorrento aboard Royal Viking Sun

Leaving Sorrento aboard Royal Viking Sun

Buffet aboard Royal Viking Sun

Garden Cafe - Royal Viking Sun

Royal Viking Sun Venezia Restaurant

Galley Of Royal Viking Sun

Navigational Bridge - Royal Viking Sun

Royal Viking Sun - Lifeboat Drill

Tender to Royal Viking Sun

Royal Viking Sun - Panoramic Lift

Evening On Deck Aboard Royal Viking Sun

Prinsendam leaves the North Lock IJmuiden

Prinsendam leaves Amsterdam

Royal Viking Sun, Tender - at night

Amera leaves Antwerp

Royal Viking Sun leaves Oslo

Amera arrives at Bremerhaven

Amera leaves IJmuiden

Amera leaves Tromsø

TRID the TRIS and ITRD database

NEW TONNAGE: ROYAL VIKING SUN

The ROYAL VIKING SUN, the new vessel described, completes a family of four Royal Viking vessels, all built by Wartsila. the designers have put much emphasis on combining the facilities of a hotel with the intimate atmosphere of a private home. The vessel has a length oa of 204.0m, capacity for 768 passengers and 460 crew, and a speed of 21.8 knots. It was primarily built for Caribbean service.

• Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02652455
• Journal article
• Publication Date: 1989-1
• Pagination: 3 p.
• Lloyd's Ship Manager & Shipping News International
• Issue Number: No.10
• ISSN: 0265-2455

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cruise ships
• Old TRIS Terms: Royal viking sun (Vessel) ; Vessel descriptions
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00657129
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Technical Information Facility
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 21 1994 12:00AM

Sun Princess Cruise Experience: Our Detailed Review

In case you didn’t know, the Sun Princess is Princess Cruises’ latest behemoth ship. I just got back from a 9-day sailing and took meticulous notes on this shiny new cruise ship.

An Update About Park19 (Opening Issues)

Recently, a reader left a comment about how I conveniently overlooked the fact that Park19 wasn’t open and features of the ship weren’t available. It was believed at the time that Park19 being not ready yet was temporary, so it wasn’t worth mentioning in the grand scheme of the ship review. However, it seems now that Princess Cruises has acknowledged that the primary features of Park19 won’t be delivered as promised, which could really mess up plans for cruisers going with families and children. The statement released by Princess is : “We regret to announce that Princess is unable to accept delivery of the RollGlider, Coastal Climb, and Ropes Course features within Park19 aboard Sun Princess and those experiences will not be opening. We are actively evaluating these areas for future recreational opportunities to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests”  There’s no word on what Princess will do with this unused space.

The Sheer Size is Nuts (By Princess Standards)

When I say this ship is massive, by Princess Cruises standards, it’s quite large. It feels especially large when you get off in ports and have to walk back down the dock to reboard – that’s when the sheer scale of the Sun Princess hits you. Even though it carries a ton of people, the only time it really felt crowded was during breakfast. The Eatery fills up quickly and the International Cafe, which sits outside The Eatery doesn’t lend itself well to crowds of people waiting for their coffees. You kind of end up waiting in the middle of where the walking traffic moves.

Sure, there are bigger ships on the sea (mostly from Royal Caribbean) – but for Princess which usually has more mid-sized ships, the Sun just feels massive in comparison.

The Medallion Life

Your entire cruise experience revolves around the new Medallion wearable device and app, for better or worse. I’ll admit it has some creepy “Big Brother” vibes with how much it tracks your every movement and purchase. But the convenience it provides is undeniable. I first experienced the Medallion system on the Sky Princess, and felt like that ship had all the kinks worked out, but on the Sun Princess, it felt like more bugs existed than before. It may have been operational issues on the ship more than the app, but it just didn’t feel as good as on the Sky Princess.

For those who aren’t familiar, the medallion is your modern-day “cruise card” that you tap everywhere to make payments, order drinks, unlock your stateroom, get on/off the ship, and more. But what’s unique is the app can use the medallion to detect your location anywhere on board. Order a drink or meal through the app and the server will manage to find you anywhere on the ship to deliver it, usually within 15 minutes. Caveat: there were times when it took longer and other times when our order was marked “delivered” and it never arrived.

The medallion definitely feels like getting on/off the ship is way faster. The only time we ever waited in line was for the few minutes it took people to get through security.

This made getting food/drinks almost too easy. On port days when we needed to get off the ship early for excursions, setting up a scheduled delivery of my Egg Muffin, fruit plate in coffee was convenient.

Fair warning though – if you’re anti-tracking and value privacy over convenience, the ubiquitous Medallion system may not be for you. However, you can turn off tracking for your travel party if you want more privacy.

Story: we were sitting in a bar having our nightly pre-dinner cocktail. The bar was packed on this night for some reason. A staff member in a suit started wandering the room, made eye contact with me from 40 feet away, and then made a b-line for us. He wanted to make sure I had preordered my dinner for the night because of a documented food allergy. This is because the tracking is being done via the medallion. They could see where we were and were able to track us down within feet of our location. It definitely felt a little creepy, though I appreciated the effort.

Premier Package Was Best for Us

We opted for the NEW Premier package at $90 per day and I’m glad we did for a few reasons:

• If you need to have more than one device connected to the internet at a time, Premier makes sense just based on that (you can have four devices). The cheaper Plus package only allows one device, which was a non-starter for me needing both my phone and laptop to be online. I’m unfortunately not able to just live off the grid for almost three weeks and need to periodically check in with clients.
• The wine selection is considerably better with Premium vs Plus. As a wine drinker, the upgrade was 100% worth it.
• Unlimited specialty dining meals are now included with Premier, which was a nice addition to our 9-day cruise to break up the repetition of the main dining rotation.
• Unlimited premium desserts and ice creams – a nice perk for those with a sweet tooth. But in reality, I only had a couple during the entire voyage.
• Unlimited casual dining. This was great for days when nothing appealed in the main dining rooms for lunch or dinner. Being able to go to Alfredo’s or grab some pub food at any time was a nice option.

Premier removed almost any need to think about or worry over costs on board. For $90 per day, the premium drinks, specialty dining, better wines, desserts, and the internet made it an easy choice for our needs.

And for those wondering about the 15-drink-per-day limit (since there’s almost a daily post asking about it on various social media platforms) – it was now not an issue. You can order as many drinks as you want with the new Premier package. I’m a scotch drinker and to get a decent pour, you have to order a double. Before the new Premier package was introduced, I still never got to 15 drinks per day (the old limit), but I can see how people might appreciate the truly unlimited drinks now.

Sun Princess Last Minute

Princess offers some great deals on the Sun Princess for last minute cruises and other promotions. Check them out here!

Staff & Service

I can’t say enough about how incredible and friendly most of the service was on the Sun Princess. Our room steward, waiters, and bartenders – everyone worked incredibly hard, and it really elevated the experience. I’m always amazed at how they remember everyone’s names.

However, we did notice a clear slip in the quality of service in the second week compared to the first, likely due to a crew changeover partway through our sailing. Simple things like forgetting drink orders or getting meals wrong became more frequent from our new set of MDR servers.

Additionally, as we approached Southampton, you could tell exhaustion was setting in for some staff, and they were looking forward to getting home. Many of the staff had been on since day 1 of the ship sailing to help launch the Sun. So it’s understandable that some people were ready to leave.

Suites & Staterooms

We originally booked an interior room. When the bid offer came in I followed some old advice and just placed bids on upgrades because “you don’t have to take the offer if you don’t like it.” Well, guess what, that’s not the case anymore. My offer was accepted and we automatically became the proud recipients of a large ocean-view cabin for only $80 total. In hindsight, I’m glad it worked out. The room has noticeably more space than a standard room. These ocean-view cabins are spacious, basically, a separate living space with a sofa and sleeping area made it feel spacious.

As “Elite” guests, we also received a nice amenity of free premium bar setup in our room – on the second week they even topped us up with a few more beverages! Some older posts complained about the bar setup quality. It does leave a lot to be desired, with things like “Johnny Walker Red” being their higher end spirit offered. HOWEVER, it’s now been reported that they are doing away with the bar setups with mini bottles of liquor for a standard seltzer can and soft drink setup that cannot be switched out.

Weirdly, I was in love with the bathrooms in the cabins on the Sun Princess. They just feel elevated in design, feel more spacious, and have plenty of storage. It’s the first Princess ship that actually has glass shower doors! Gone are the days of the shower curtains.

Cabins to Avoid on the Sun Princess

That being said, I’d avoid the “Cabana” balcony suites. The layout is really bizarre and in my opinion a downgrade. When you walk out onto your balcony, it’s not really a balcony. There’s another area in front of your balcony that connects a few other cabana suites. The idea is that a few rooms share a private balcony with a jacuzzi. However, it also means that walking out onto your balcony doesn’t give you a private ocean view because there’s this 20 – 30 foot of additional patio in front of you and everyone above you just looks down into your balcony area.

Power Outlets on the Sun Princess

They’ve done a great job with the power situation in these rooms. Every outlet has a USA 110v plug, a Euro plug, a USB-C, and a USB-A plug. There are outlets by the desk area and with each nightstand on both sides of the bed. Since we had ample USB outlets, all we really needed a regular USA outlet for was the blow dryer. Don’t get tricked! There’s what looks like a two-prong USA outlet by the sink in the bathroom. It has a funky icon next to it. This outlet is for charging an electronic razor — that’s the only kind of plug that will fit in this outlet so don’t try and jam another device in there — it won’t work. My mom tripped the breaker in her state room by running the hair dryer while her curling iron was on — so beware ladies!

Dining Highs & Lows

Not everything is perfect….ever. While our experience was overall pretty good with dinner options, breakfast, and lunch left a lot to be desired.

Main Dining Rooms

All of the dining rooms were well-decorated and had a lovely ambiance.

It can be confusing because there are three floors (Decks 6, 7 and 8). We reserved dining in the Deck 6 MDR prior to the trip via the app for the first few days just so we knew there was a guaranteed place to eat. On night one, the dining room manager introduced himself to us and said he went ahead and booked our table for us every night of the trip. If we didn’t show, it was fine.

Food quality in the main dining rooms (MDRs) was consistently just “OK” across breakfast and lunch. Dinner was better. On port days, it’s an “express breakfast” which just means a shorter list of options. Nothing mind-blowing, but solid and sufficient. My biggest gripe here is the operating hours. On sea days, the MDR closes for breakfast at 9:00 am. You basically have to choose between sleeping in a little, hitting the gym, or getting a decent breakfast.

Many days, we ended up just going to the International Cafe for a quick breakfast sandwich to avoid the buffet.

Pro-Tip: The biggest breakfast tip is to stay away from the scrambled eggs — they’re unappealing. We figured out that the scrambled eggs come from a bag. If you want real, cracked eggs, either get an omelet or over easy/medium/hard/etc. Also, at the omelet station, they will scramble fresh eggs for you!

Reserve Suite Dining Access

The Reserve mini-suite gives you access to the Reserve Restaurant. It’s a little bit more elevated of a dining experience and reservations aren’t needed — you just show up. We dined here a few times and it did feel more elevated. Unlike the MDR, the server in the Reserve Restaurant feels more personal because they’re handling smaller groups.

For more casual fare, the Lido deck had some surprises like an awesome made-to-order salad bar station that became my go-to for healthier meals between all the indulgent dining. The burger grill, taco station, and pizza areas were pretty standard, but the salad bar was quite good!

Lackluster Buffet / “Eatery”

On the flip side, The Eatery buffet left a lot to be desired. Despite different themed stations, the quality was mid at best. We largely avoided eating at the buffet outside of quick breakfast grabs. The Eatery closes for breakfast around 10:00 AM. At which point if you move further into the ship, the restaurants that are normally Catch and Butcherblock become a buffet extension that’s opened later — it’s kind of funky (but soon to be changed)

The biggest issue with the Eatery buffet is food temperatures. Food that would otherwise be pretty good was served ice cold. Even after bringing this up to restaurant managers and them scurrying around to try to fix it, this just never improved.

The layout of the buffet is not friendly and leaves people wondering if they’re cutting in line especially when you go to the extended buffet at Catch/Butcherblock.

What’s odd to me is you can go grab a million cheese plates, fruit plates, or hummus/veggie plates at the buffet. But if you order those things through the Medallion app, it’s not “complimentary.” You have to pay $4.99-$5.99 for those items. We still can’t figure out why it costs $5 to order a tiny cheese plate but ordering a cheeseburger is free.

Specialty Dining Winners

We used our specialty dining credits at every restaurant during the voyage.

We chose Crown Grill for an anniversary dinner. The service was awesome and they made us all feel special. The setup here is like a steakhouse, where you order your beef and then the sides are a la carte family style. We couldn’t decide what we wanted for appetizers, so the manager just said “We’ll bring you out all the sides, enough for you to try everything” which was great.

Next, Butcher’s Block by Dario . I’ve never left a meal feeling so stuffed on a cruise than at this restaurant. It’s family-style dining and they just bring out everything for you — almost like a Brazilian steakhouse. We started with a bread appetizer and a glass of wine while you waited for them to get the dining room set up. Then there’s more bread on the table + veggies. Then the food starts coming out: beef tartar; beef carpaccio; etc. The main event is the massive tomahawks and porterhouse steaks they carve up tableside. They’ll just keep putting beef on your plate until you beg them to stop. Finally, there’s desert and a grappa digestif.

Sabatini’s was a nice traditional Italian meal. Filling, tasty and good service. The ambiance felt like you were actually eating in a decent “Americanized” Italian restaurant.

The Catch by Rudi was the biggest surprise. In the past, it’s always been a weird menu and underwhelming, especially on the Sky Princess. However, they knocked it out of the park on the Sun Princess! Even though (for now) the ambiance is awful as it’s in the rear of the buffet, the food was exceptional. We almost skipped this due to past experiences, but glad we didn’t!

The most underwhelming was Makoto Ocean (Replacing Kai). For your dining credit, you get a fixed menu full of things you might not actually order. It seemed wasteful and for the value of the specialty dining credit (About $50/person), you’d expect to be able to order what you want. There’s a better way to do this, and we’ll see if feedback prompts change, as everyone I spoke with was disappointed. Additionally, the restaurant is more of an afterthought, placed in the hallways above the Piazza. So while enjoying your expensive fixed price, limited menu, you get the pleasure of hearing things like game shows and trivia – which would be better suited in Princess Live. Truly a head scratcher on this one.

Overall, the restaurants were great experiences and a very welcomed change from the MDR after a week of repetition. The food, service, and overall vibe were a noticeable step up.

We also splurged one night for the Spellbound immersive magic/dinner experience and it was easily a cruise highlight despite the $150/pp price tag. After an elevated multi-course meal, you get ushered by a guy in a top hat into an exclusive hidden club. While waiting for the magic show, you hang out in their bar which is reminiscent of the Disneyland Haunted Mansion. While enjoying your drink, there’s a magician perorming more intimate magic for everyone at the bar. Once they’re ready for the show, you’re brought into the room where the actual magic show takes place. Afterward, you’re welcome to hang out in the Spellbound bar and continue drinking.

If you’re from LA, you may know about the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Spellbound is an extension of the Magic Castle. Just like with the Magic Castle, you show up in formal wear. This means a coat and tie for the men and an evening gown/dress for the woman.

Overall, we really enjoyed it.

Love by Britto

We almost skipped Love by Britto, but had a $90 credit to use the last night. So we booked and wow, what a great surprise! I can’t recommend it enough! The ambiance alone makes you feel like you’re on an ultra-luxury ship overlooking the ocean while dining on some really creative meal options.

Sky Princess Room Service

This was hit or miss for us. You fill out the paper door hangar and place it on your doorknob before heading to bed. Then you hope and pray that it will actually arrive — which in two of our instances, it never did. Your options are also limited. You also may or may not receive what you actually ordered. With coffee, for example, you have a choice of ordering it to-go (paper cup) or stay (actual coffee cup). We always seemed to get the opposite of what we ordered to the point where it became a running joke for us.

International Cafe

This became our go-to for a lot of things: coffee, snacks, and quick breakfast food (pastries, coffee cake, avocado toast, Egg Muffins). Weird fact though: if you order the Egg Muffin through the app, it comes as an egg patty just like McDonalds, and with cheese. When you get the one at International Cafe, it’s just an over-easy egg and no cheese. Why they can’t just be the same is odd.

The layout is a challenge for the International Cafe. Where you order and pick up coffee also has a bar area which is in the middle of a walkway. Just seems poorly thought out. It gets crowded easily and everyone is frustrated including the staff.

Night Owl Needs

My main dining gripe was the lack of solid late-night food options for night owls. The Eatery buffet closed at an absurd 10:30 pm, leaving only spotty room service or mobile ordering as the choices if you worked up an appetite after evening activities. More robust late-night casual dining would be appreciated.

Bars & Alcohol

Overall, great selection of cocktails. All of the bars have their own little theme and different menus. This can actually be a little frustrating. Ordering a cocktail at one bar but then ingredients don’t exist for that cocktail at a different location. That got old after a few days.

Some people I was traveling with were consistently impressed at the quality and thought of the cocktails at each bar. They were also impressed with the quality of the glassware being used. I must admit, everything from the rocks glasses to the martini glasses quite was beautiful. However, there was still some frustration trying to figure out what was available at each bar.

If you just want straight spirits, you have to order a double to get a normal pour (they’re actually measuring out the pours). That being said, with either Plus or Premium, you’ll get a good selection of top-quality booze.

One thing that impressed me was the staff actually being concerned about drink quality. We were having drinks at one of the bars on the Lido deck. The supervisor was upset with the bartenders because they ran out of premium liquor and hadn’t requested more. He made sure to remind them that when someone orders a premium drink they get a premium liquor — no exceptions.

You also must check out the Good Spirits bar. There are a few times throughout the night when you watch a live cocktail demonstration. The bartenders here are so fun and playful — it makes for a great vibe. The space is small, however.

Amenities – Hits & Misses

The gym facilities on board were a bit of a disappointment, especially for a new ship. While they had a nice assortment of cardio machines, the actual weight room was laughably small with only a few pieces of strength equipment that were always monopolized. Not a deal-breaker, but an area that could be improved.

The pool areas were nicely spread out across different sections of the Lido deck. On sailing days, there was typically a band, the DJ, and then a random movie on the jumbotron. The random blasting of action movies at 3 pm really ruined the pool vibe and it’s typically when the deck would thin out. One minute you’re relaxing in the jacuzzi, the next an action movie with explosions is shaking the pool area. It made no sense and seemed tailored for a much younger crowd despite this sailing’s passengers being mostly older adults.

Adult Only Pool

Many people didn’t realize that there was an Adult Only pool in front of the “Dome”. It’s where we spent most of our time. While the pool was a glorified bathtub, the seating was great with a dedicated bar.

Technology & Support

In addition to the Medallion app, the overall internet speeds were fast and reliable enough for me to easily stay connected for basic work needs.

The technology support via the app’s live chat feature, however, was utterly useless. Any time we had issues properly being charged for drink packages or had to modify reservations, the live chat was a time-wasting nightmare. You’re clearly just talking to an outsourced rep with zero actual knowledge of Princess’ systems or operations. Your best bet is to go in person to the guest services desk.

Theater & Entertainment

I never judge or rate a cruise or cruise ship on the entertainment. I usually prefer to be pleasantly surprised, but when I’m disappointed, it doesn’t really change the overall cruise for me.

The theater is not terribly large. But the seating arrangement makes even the worst seats in the house not so bad. Unfortunately with a ship this size, the entertainment spaces are too small. On popular show evenings, you’d see people waiting for over an hour in line just to get into the theater. I’ve never seen that on any other ship. It was discouraging enough that we skipped most of the shows.

We saw Vallora, A Pirate Quest  –  Created, directed, and choreographed by Danny Teeson of “American Idol” fame, the show features an upbeat and nostalgic 80’s soundtrack, including Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams,” Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” Chicago’s “You’re the Inspiration” and Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” The show follows the intrepid heroine ‘Vallora’ through a pirate adventure, telling a story of searching for what’s lost and above all else, family and love.

It was clever and well done however is coming to an end from what I understand.

In addition to the theater performances, there were plenty of things to do on the ship including bingo, small magic performances, outstanding musicians in the bars in the evening, etc.

Some Notable Disappointments

This space is beautiful during the day, and a peaceful place to chill out. In the afternoon they have a bar available and it never feels crowded.

HOWEVER, when a show is designated to be in the Dome, it’s impossible to get a seat. There are acrobats and cirque-esque performances that we never were able to see due to the lack of seating.

On most princess ships, the Piazza is the central portion of the ship with towering staircases and chandeliers. It’s always been a beautiful space. However, on the Sun Princess, the space is sterile and more geared towards entertainment with theater seating around the perimeter on several levels. It really is a departure from the vibe of the rest of the fleet, and a huge disappointment.

Additionally, there is so much random noise coming from this space (i.e. a game of trivia) that it overpowers every venue around the Piazza. The Sushi restaurant is not enjoyable with the sound, and Crooners Bar is ruined by the sounds coming from the Piazza.

Lack of a Crown Grill Bar

On other ships that have the Crown Grill Bar, it’s an upscale and intimate place for pre or post-dinner drinks. Usually, the bar has great music or pianists. For whatever reason, this doesn’t exist on the

In Conclusion – The Sun Princess is a Huge Departure from the Princess Brand

I know cruise lines are mixing it up and trying to bring in younger travelers. This ship is an obvious effort to change the brand image of a more mature clientele. However, it’s just so incredibly off-brand that it could be a generic MSC ship, an NCL ship, or any other mid-market brand. What has made Princess a special cruise line has all been watered down and is nearly nonexistent on the Sun Princess.

There are a ton of mixed reviews on the ship. Some people love it, but many people are disappointed. By the time my voyage was done, I had concluded that if this was my first experience with Princess, I’d probably never go on another Princess Cruise.

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

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Weirdly as a supposed independent reviewer there was not a mention whatsoever that this is supposed to be their new flagship family ship. You also failed to mention that the highlights of Park 19 their big seller were non-operational bar a few hammocks and gimmicks. This begs me to say that this review has been written in a biased manner and in very basic terms does not show the whole situation onboard and that the ship isn’t finished yet. I’m sure you probably got a free cruise to write this review but public beware THIS STORY IS MISSING THE POINT COMPLETELY….This is supposed to be their family flagship boat but thus far does not qualify as that. Check out all the Facebook forums- reviews etc and this will confirm the case. THE MAJORITY CANNOT BE WRONG!

Hello Mark – Thanks for your comment. Firstly, we never get “free” trips or paid for the reviews. When were you on the ship with all of the things that weren’t finished? I have definitely heard other people say that they felt like the ship wasn’t “Finished”. But that doesn’t mean that the experiences I’ve highlighted aren’t accurate. I’ve been on new ships where some areas weren’t complete and while it’s frustrating, didn’t detract from the overall vacation. So my perspective is simply from what was experienced, but as always, people should look at more than one source for information. If you have a more detailed experience about the ship you’d like to share, feel free to email it to me, and I’ll add it on to the article as a different perspective. (send to : [email protected] )

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Qsine®:  Celebrity’s James Beard-featured Master Chef created Qsine to take you on a culinary journey unlike anything you’ve experienced before—on land or at sea. Leave any preconceived notions behind. Dig in and try new things. It's time your palate got a wakeup call. Qsine’s iPad® menus make your dining experience even more fun and interactive. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Murano:  Impeccable service, classic design, world-class cuisine and comfortable sophistication are celebrated here. Experience tableside lobster presentation, an expansive selection of artisanal cheeses from around the world, or the extensive American and French wine list. Charming and timeless, Murano transports you, through palate and décor, to a modern and refined level of dining. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Sushi on Five:  Sushi on Five satisfies your craving for locally sourced, authentically prepared sushi and other Japanese specialties from a menu crafted by expert restaurateur and sushi chef, Yoshikazu "Yoshi" Okada. Treat yourself to the complex flavors of a hand-made sushi roll or nigiri featuring tuna albacore, shrimp, eel, and other fresh selections, or savor the simplicity of yellowtail, salmon, and octopus sashimi. Your culinary experience would be incomplete without dessert—be sure to try the caramelized gingerbread with wasabi gelato. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Tuscan Grill:  An outgoing wait staff ensures tableside service that's personal as well as professional. And the food? Take the traditional style and artisanal flair of Italy, add contemporary influences, and serve the cuisine in abundance. It's all part of the expansive character of Tuscan Grille. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

The Porch:  Relax and gaze out over the cool, green grass of The Lawn Club, or the cool, blue sea, while savoring just-made fare for breakfast or lunch. Featuring quick, simple and fresh food, like soup, salads and panini. Open for breakfast and lunch. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Lawn Club Grill:  The bright and modern Lawn Club Grill celebrates the flavorful joys of outdoor grilling. The highlight of dining at the Lawn Club Grill is the opportunity to serve as your party's "Grill Master," by being paired with a Celebrity chef to assist in preparing the menu for your table over custom-built, ventilated grills. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Café al Bacio and Gelateria:  The warm atmosphere, comfortable furniture and the sweet scent of the Gelateria's freshly baked waffle cones create an instant emotional connection. Café al Bacio is a great place to relax, any time of day. Many guests like to stop by in the evening for one of the specialty dessert cocktails, and chat about a great meal that they had or a wonderful show they just enjoyed. There's always something to talk about at Café al Bacio. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Casual Dining

AquaSpa® Café:  Celebrity has created an extension of its leading spa experience by introducing the AquaSpa Café, one of the first venues of its kind in the cruise industry. The result is a creative take on healthy cuisine, featuring an eclectic blend of offerings that are both flavorful and nutritious. The AquaSpa Café is available to AquaClass® guests only.

Luminae:  Offering complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Luminae is a culinary experience that spotlights modern, eclectic cuisine and globally inspired dishes. Luminae offers a deliciously unique dining experience exclusively for Suite Class guests.

Oceanview Café:  Décor and offerings reflect that of an international marketplace. With a menu influenced by multiple cultures, the cuisine takes diners on a voyage around the world. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night.

Pool/Mast Grill:  Let your cravings go wild. Grab a great burger in a relaxed, poolside environment.

Room Service:  Perhaps a day of kayaking, shopping or golfing has you feeling pleasantly languid-or was it the afternoon spent relaxing with a novel that has you so serene? Either way, when you're in the mood to relax and dine in the comfort of your stateroom, Celebrity offers complimentary 24-hour in-stateroom dining.

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

• > Inside Stateroom
• > Ocean View Stateroom
• > Balcony Stateroom
• > Suite Stateroom

Elegant staterooms feature an ample sitting area with a sofa and a flat screen TV.

Single Inside (Category: IS)

• Four pillows in every stateroom
• Plush 100% cotton bathrobes and towels
• Premium Custom blended bathroom products
• Celebrity shopping bag

Stateroom Features

• Celebrity's eXhale® bedding featuring the Cashmere Mattress
• King-sized bed**
• Some staterooms may have a trundle bed
• Plentiful storage space in your bathroom and wardrobe
• Interactive television system
• Individual safe
• Dual-voltage 110/220V AC
• Mini-fridge*
• Twice daily housekeeping service
• Our signature friendly personalized service with a guest ratio of nearly 2:1
• Laundry service*
• Complimentary beach towel service
• Fresh ice delivered to stateroom upon request
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a variety of restaurants
• 24-hour room service†

Inside (Category: I2)

Prime inside (category: i1), guarantee - inside (category: z).

Category: Z This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Enjoy a view of the sea with spacious staterooms that feature a sofa and a flat screen TV.

Ocean View (Category: O2)

• Expansive view of the ocean
• King-sized mattress**

Prime Ocean View (Category: O1)

Guarantee - oceanview (category: y).

Category: Y This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Staterooms feature a spacious balcony. Select categories include AquaClass® or Concierge Class.

Veranda (partial view) (Category: V3)

• Celebrity Shopping bag
• Private veranda opens up to outdoor seating
• Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors.
• King-sized mattress** (Single Infinite Veranda has Queen-size bed)
• Celebrity eXhale® bedding
• In-room Automation on Edge Series
• Our signature friendly, personalized service with a guest to staff ratio of nearly 2:1
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner available in a variety of restaurants

Veranda (Category: V2)

Prime veranda (category: v1), deluxe veranda (category: dv), sunset veranda (category: sv).

Concierge Class (Category: C2)

• Exclusive Welcome Aboard Concierge Class Lunch
• 1 bottle of Sparkling Wine per cruise upon request
• Daily delectable delights
• Pillow selection upon request
• Use of umbrella and binoculars
• Celebrity embossed key holder
• eXhale® bedding
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Sitting area with sofa
• Veranda with lounge seating
• Personalized Concierge service
• Exclusive Destination Seminar
• Complimentary shoeshine service
• Main & specialty restaurant seating time preference upon availability
• Exclusive Welcome Aboard Lunch on boarding day in the main dining room. Choose the earliest check-in times so you don't miss your welcome aboard Concierge Class lunch. (Welcome lunch times may vary by ship and itinerary.)

Prime Concierge Class (Category: C1)

Sunset concierge class (category: sc), prime aquaclass (category: a1), spa benefits.

• Unlimited access to the Adults-Only Sea Thermal Suite
• Dedicated Spa Concierge: Personal Consultation
• Priority Spa Reservations
• Complimentary fitness classes (Offering varies by cruise length. Learn more)
• Exclusive spa treatment package discounts*
• 2 Bottled waters in-room: daily
• 2 Yoga mats
• In-room fitness amenities menu
• Eco-friendly natural ingredients shower amenities
• 100% Cotton bathrobes, slippers, towels
• Welcome bottle of sparkling wine (upon request)
• Complimentary use of umbrella and binoculars
• AquaClass Exclusive Restaurant: Blu
• Expanded room service breakfast menu available†

AquaClass Features

• Floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors
• Exclusive eXhale® bedding
• Plentiful storage space
• Spacious sitting area with sofa
• Enhanced air filtration system

AquaClass (Category: A2)

Guarantee - concierge class (category: xc).

Category: XC This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Guarantee - Aqua Class (Category: XA)

Category: XA This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Guarantee - Balcony (Category: X)

Category: X This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Suites feature European-style butler services, priority check-in and debarkation, seating preferences and much more.

Sky Suite (Category: S1)

• Sq ft: 254-362 interior / 57-102 terrace
• Exclusive eXhale ® bedding
• King-sized mattress (bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed)
• Trundle bed in some suites

Exclusive services and amenities

• Daily delivery of afternoon savories upon request
• Afternoon tea event hosted in The Retreat Lounge
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Complimentary shoe shine service

Sunset Sky Suite (Category: SS)

Aquaclass sky suite (category: as).

• Sq ft: 254 - 319 interior / 57 - 79 veranda
• Spacious veranda
• Suite Automation (Available on Edge Series)
• Exclusive access to The Retreat
• Unlimited access to the Adults-Only SEA Thermal Suite on Edge Series
• Unlimited access to the Adults-Only Persian Garden on Millennium and Solstice Series
• 2 Yoga mats & In-room fitness amenities
• Full In-Suite Menu (Breakfast and Dinner) featuring clean cuisine from Blu

Celebrity Suite (Category: CS)

• Interior 394-498 sq.ft / terrace 51-105 sq.ft
• King-sized mattress (bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed)
• Daily delivery of afternoon savories
• Complimentary use of golf umbrella and binoculars

Horizon Suite (Category: HS)

• Sq ft: 575 interior / 53-105 terrace
• Bedroom with separate living area
• Luxurious king-sized Cashmere Mattress*

Royal Suite (Category: RS)

• Sq ft: 562-687 interior / 72-195 terrace
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• One bedroom, one full bathroom (and a half bathroom on Edge Series ships)
• Exclusive eXhale® bedding, featuring our king-size Cashmere Mattress*
• Veranda with lounge seating (whirlpool tub on Solstice Series and Millennium Series ships)
• Primary bathroom with whirlpool tub and dual sinks on select ships
• Generous storage space
• Complimentary bottled water, soda, and beer stocked daily
• Unlimited lunch and dinner in all specialty restaurants
• Two complimentary bottles of premium spirits
• VIP canapés
• Complimentary laundry and pressing service
• Complimentary Extend Your Stay in participating debarkation ports
• Priority luggage delivery

Penthouse Suite (Category: PS)

• 1-2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Sq ft: 1291-1432 interior / 197-1098 terrace
• Spacious layout with a dining table that seats eight and separate sitting area
• Two bedrooms on Edge® Series ships, one bedroom on other ships, and two full bathrooms
• Exclusive eXhale® bedding, featuring king-sized mattresses*
• Private whirlpool tub with views
• Marble primary bathroom with whirlpool tub and dual sinks
• Walk-in closet with generous storage space

Guarantee - Suite (Category: W)

Category: W This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

• Ship Name: Celebrity Silhouette
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2011
• Ship Class: Solstice
• Maximum Capacity: 3,145
• Number of Passenger Decks: 13
• Number of Crew: 1,246
• Officers' Nationality: Greek
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 70
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 1,150
• Total Inside Staterooms: 140
• Tonnage (GRT): 122,400
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 2,886
• Country of Registry: Malta
• Total Staterooms: 1,426
• Suites with Balcony: 66
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, inside stateroom, ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom, departure date - 07/04/2026, departure date - 07/18/2026, departure date - 07/25/2026, departure date - 08/01/2026, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

Ship's registry: Malta

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

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