Zhao Shang Yi Dun (Viking Sun) Review

Viking Sun, the fourth in Viking Ocean Cruises' largely identical series of cruise ships, offers the same standard of excellence found on its fleetmates.

Viking Sun, like its brethren, is a divine home-away-from-home. All staterooms have private balconies. Decor is soothing in neutrals with lots of Nordic touches in the decor, ranging from the art collection to many cozy nooks meant to inspire relaxation. The spa offers Nordic-style services that reflect a passion for wellness.

What also sets Viking Ocean Cruises apart from competitors, like Oceania and Azamara Club Cruises, is that it offers one of the most inclusive cruise experiences at sea. Wi-Fi is complimentary to all. Soda, beer and wine are freely poured with lunch and dinner, at least one shore excursion in every port of call is included in cruise fares and restaurants charge no service fees. The spa facility is open to all, without charge (though, of course, you can opt to purchase treatments). Other money-making venues you'll find on cruise lines -- like casinos, onboard photo studios or private pool areas -- aren't found on Viking Sun or any other ships in its fleet.

The ship does have a few notable differences from its older fleetmates. Viking Sun is the first vessel in the fleet to host a full world cruise (its first, a 141-day trip, set sail in early 2018), so Viking made some tweaks to cabins, particularly in maximizing space with the storage needed for a multi-month cruise. The other notable change you'll see from the line's first ship in the fleet is an expanded fitness facility as a result of demand by Viking's passengers.

Fleetwide, entertainment and enrichment have improved dramatically in depth and substance since the first ship, Viking Star, originally launched. In addition, though the blend of dining options was just right from the start, the company has invested in improving quality, tweaking menus to reflect regions cruised and expanding its array of healthful options. We love that the updated shore excursion menu, regardless of itinerary, now reflects the desires of many of its passengers by offering more active and cultural tours.

That's about it. When designing Viking Star, its original vessel, the cruise line got so much right it hasn't needed to make major alterations. Plus, the company does not want change for change's sake. Its goal is to create a fleet of identical, well-designed ships that feel more like intimate boutique hotels than cruise vessels. Travelers are then able to place more focus on the destinations they're visiting than on the ship itself. Still, after a long day of exploring, it feels comforting to come home to such an inviting ship as Viking Sun.