Viking Mars

Viking Mars is a mid-sized ocean cruise ship operated by Viking Ocean Cruises. She entered service in 2022 and carries around 930 passengers, making her one of the smaller vessels in the ocean cruising market. Built by Fincantieri in Italy as the eighth in a series of identical sister ships developed for Viking's small-ship philosophy, she is registered in Norway like her sister vessels.

What sets Viking Mars apart is her focus on destination-led cruising, with fewer sea days and extended time in port, allowing passengers to explore rather than spend hours at sea. Scandinavian design runs throughout her interior, with clean lines, natural light and a boutique hotel feel. Her most distinctive feature is the Explorers' Lounge, a two-deck observation area at the bow with vast windows offering views most modern cruise ships simply don't have, making it a natural gathering point for morning coffee or evening drinks.

Every outside cabin comes with its own private veranda, and staterooms run noticeably spacious compared to industry standard, with modern amenities from heated bathroom floors to individual climate control. All passengers enjoy complimentary shore excursions, Wi-Fi, wine and beer at lunch and dinner, and access to the spa. The ship carries two swimming pools, one of them an infinity pool, along with the Nordic Spa, a signature feature of every Viking Ocean vessel that includes saunas, heated loungers, therapeutic showers and a snow grotto where powdered snow falls from the ceiling.

Dining has been given real thought, with a main restaurant featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that open to create semi-outdoor casual dining, alongside the Viking Deli buffet, specialty restaurants, and multiple bars and lounges. For entertainment and learning, Viking Mars offers the Explorers' Dome, a small planetarium seating around 26 guests that uses advanced video technology to showcase the night sky.

This is an adults-only ship with a minimum age of 16, so the atmosphere tends toward calm and sophisticated rather than family-oriented. She suits couples, mature solo travelers, and anyone seeking an intimate cruise experience focused on the destinations themselves rather than all-at-sea entertainment.

Cruised aboard this Scandinavian-style ship? Log your Viking Mars voyage on The Cruise Globe to trace the exact route your ship sailed!