Viking Sky: Rome to Barcelona Cruise
This post may contain affiliate links. To learn more about our affiliate links and cookies policy, please see our Terms & Conditions page.
The Viking Sky cruise ship sails to ports in Italy, France, Monaco, and Spain on the “Iconic Western Mediterranean” Viking cruise itinerary. Beginning in Rome, the 8 day cruise has an overnight in Tuscany before stopping at ports along the southern coast of France. The trip ends with a second overnight in beautiful Barcelona. Our review of the Viking Sky Rome to Barcelona cruise will help you decide if this Viking Mediterranean cruise is right for you.
For more information on cruising read our articles on:
VIKING SKY CRUISE SHIP OVERVIEW
The Viking Sky is owned by Viking Ocean Cruises. The ship holds 930 passengers in 465 cabins. The Iconic Western Mediterranean cruise features an itinerary that hits 4 countries in 8 days.
Randy and I took the Iconic Western Mediterranean cruise in June of 2023. The ship is spacious, comfortable, and tastefully designed. As a small ship, the Viking Sky is able to pull into many ports that larger ships are not allowed to. We think Viking best describes the atmosphere on a Viking Ocean Cruise with its description of what it is not.
VIKING ICONIC MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE MAP
VIKING CRUISE TRANSPORT
On a Viking Ocean Cruise passengers can choose to purchase airfare through the Viking Air program or on their own. Transfers are included with a Viking Air package.
If you choose to purchase airfare on your own, you can click here to compare the price of airfare from your home city and estimate transfer costs.
ICONIC WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN ITINERARY
Here was our Viking Sky cruise itinerary:
Day 1: Embark in Rome (Civitavecchia) Depart 8pm
Day 2: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy Arrive 9am; Stay Overnight
Day 3: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy Depart 6pm
Day 4: Monte Carlo, Monaco 8am to 9pm
Day 5: Marseilles, France 8am to 6pm
Day 6: Montpellier (Sete), France 8am to 9pm
Day 7: Barcelona, Spain Arrive 8am, Stay Overnight
Day 8: Barcelona, Spain Disembark
(Note: Long Days in Port!)
VIKING CRUISE EXCURSIONS
On our Viking Mediterranean cruise ship there was one free excursion offered in each port. The included Viking cruise excursions were usually 2-3 hour tours that gave an overview of the area. The optional tours that are available for an added charge tend to be more interesting, exciting, and active. The advantage of booking excursions through Viking is that the cruise line has a vested interest in making sure you return to the ship before it leaves port.
For days in port, you also have the option of booking excursions independently. Often, tours similar to Viking’s can be booked at significant cost savings. Also, if you are in a less-expensive stateroom and find the excursions you want are sold out before your booking window opens, independent tours can be the solution (this happened to us).
When booking independent tours, take care to book with a reputable company. When in Europe we like to book through GetYourGuide. Here is a sampling of excursions available for the Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary:
Florence/Pisa (Liverno)
Monte Carlo
Marseilles
Montpellier (Sete)
Barcelona
VIKING CRUISE STATEROOMS
On the Viking Sky cruise ship there are six classes of staterooms; all with ocean-side verandas. In each cabin there is a mini-bar with drinks and snacks that are restocked daily. Toiletries in bathrooms, free wifi, in-room safes, and on-demand movies on a large screen TV are all included. The smallest Veranda staterooms are 270 square feet.
VIKING SKY PASSENGER MAKE UP
On our Viking Sky cruise, the passengers were largely made up of English-speaking working professionals and retirees. There are no children under 18 allowed on the cruise.
VIKING CRUISE DRESS CODE
Viking ocean cruises adhere to a more relaxed dress code than some other luxury cruise lines. There are no formal nights. The dress code is casual during the day (golf club chic), and smart-casual (dressier) during the evening. Avoid tee shirts, tank tops, flip flops.
VIKING SKY RESTAURANTS
Viking cruises are known for their exceptional dining experience. For being one of the smaller sized luxury cruise ships, the Viking Sky has plentiful dining options. At meal time, (most) beers and wines are included. There are set dining hours, but no assigned seating.
Dining options include: The Restaurant; Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant, The Chef’s Table, Aqiavit Terrace, Mamsen’s, The Winter Garden, Pool Grill, Room Service, and The Kitchen Table.
VIKING CRUISE ENTERTAINMENT
On the Viking Sky cruise ship there was a small theater where nightly singing and dance shows were featured. Each day, there was an enrichment lecture centered around the upcoming port. On some evenings, the ship brought in local musicians to entertain.
In general, the entertainment was low key and relaxing. There is a spa, library, and deck games on board. We spent hours lounging in the pool area and on sundecks.
VIKING CRUISE COST
An 8 day Viking cruise to the Mediterranean is more expensive than on many other cruise lines. However, when comparing prices, it is important to consider the many included features of a Viking cruise. The cruise line has a “no nickel and diming” policy and the savings add up.
Viking cruises include: one complimentary excursion in each port, free wifi, free beer/wine/soda with lunch and dinner, port taxes and fees, lectures, shows, launderettes, room service, specialty dining, free toiletries, and free on-demand movies.
One thing we wish that Viking would improve is including more shore excursions that are free – similar to the program the Silverseas Cruise line is currently running.
VIKING ONBOARD RESERVATIONS
Once you have booked your Viking ocean cruise it is important to get active on the Viking “My Viking Journey” website. The portal is where you book shore excursions, spa treatments, specialty dining, and beverage packages (for between meals). Viking’s tiered system of reservations (where the most expensive cabins book much earlier than others) means that as soon as your booking window options, you should reserve.
VIKING SKY OVERALL IMPRESSION
Our Viking Sky cruise provided a relaxing, high-quality cruising experience in an elegant atmosphere. Highly recommended.
May all your Viking dreams come true, Laura and Randy
For more information on cruising read our articles on:
IF YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE, PIN IT!
