One thing’s for sure; unless you reserve a suite, this Viking Star balcony stateroom review applies to the majority of staterooms. Every stateroom on this cruise ship has a balcony.

Aboard Viking Star, heated bathroom floor and all
The difference between upper premium and luxury cruise lines isn’t always easy to distinguish. Viking Ocean’s first ocean cruise ship, the 928 passenger Viking Star, is a case in point. After 12 days of cruising the Mediterranean aboard Viking Star I felt as though I was aboard a stunning new luxury cruise ship. Heated bathroom floor? Yes, please.
When Viking Cruises launched the all-veranda Viking Star in mid-2015, the ship was quickly categorized as upper premium by most cruise reviewers. And I might slightly agree with everyone except for one major, hard-to-overlook feature: the attention to detail throughout the ship and especially in your stateroom. You’re in Luxury Land.
Viking Star Balcony


In no particular order, here’s why, among other reasons, Viking’s well-planned attention to detail in the staterooms pushes their cruise ships into luxury territory.
Lighted Mirror and Make-Up Vanity/Desk


Heated Bathroom Floor

It looks like an ordinary faux wood floor. But turn on the light for the bathroom, wait a few minutes and presto – cozy warmed floor. Especially welcome on cool weather itineraries.
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Bathroom storage for all
It’s rare to find ample bathroom storage for two people, especially if two women are traveling together. Usually you end up cramming all of your stuff on one or two small shelves with no unobstructed under-cabinet option. On this ship there is the equivalent of twin bathroom storage so no fighting about who gets to put their stuff where and on which shelves.
Discreet Night Light
Tired of leaving the bathroom light on all night or packing your own nightlight? The Viking Star has a dim, low-level night light in your room’s foyer that subtly illuminates the path to the bathroom. You’ll find the control switch at both sides of the bed. If you want pitch darkness for sleeping, simply flick the switch as needed for any middle of the night bathroom breaks.
Nightstand Electric Outlets

Wouldn’t it be nice to keep your phone at your bedside (think alarm clock) and have it charge at the same time? Most cruise ships have two or three 110/120 outlets near the desk area but none next to your bed. Located at box spring level at both sides of the bed is an electric outlet. Nice, simple touch.
Extra USB Chargers
Simple solution to a decade’s old problem: How to charge multiple computer devices at the same time. If you’ve even been on a river cruise, you might be familiar with the audio device that you wear around your neck on shore excursions to hear your tour guide. The new Quiet Vox charging stands have two USB ports right on them.
There’s a chair in my shower
It’s not quite a chair, but it’s a handy ledge, perfect for sitting, shaving legs and placing all of your bath products. No more having to crowd your own shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, face wash and shaving cream on the metal wire basket next to the shower bar.
Every stateroom has a doorbell, don’t it…
Breakfast room service is one of the joys of cruising. But to hear the delivery person knock on your neighbor’s stateroom door at 7am and announce at the top of their lungs, “Room Service” can be annoying not to mention startling, especially when it’s at your door..
Usually found only on upper level suites across the cruise spectrum, every stateroom door on the Viking Star has a pleasant-sounding doorbell.
Room service on disembarkation day

Not only can you stay in your room until 9AM on the morning of departure, you can also order a full breakfast with room service.
Come out of the closet

Real hangers. Viking Star has a closet full of wooden hangers that you can actually remove from the closet rod. Not just the wooden part with a protruding spoke, but the whole deal, wooden hanger, hook and all.
For me, luxury extends beyond fine dining, exceptional service and an extensive pillow menu (which Viking Star also offers.) It’s also the consideration to details that gives me reason to to believe that Viking Star is has raised the bar on upper-premium cruising.
For more info: Viking Star cruise ship
Disclosure: I was a guest of Viking, though in no way was I under any obligation to write a favorable Viking Star review or commentary. This article would have been just as positive if I had bought my own ticket. All opinions are my own.
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Sherry Laskin says
Hi Jeanne,
Thank you for taking the time to read my article and send your question. ES1 Balcony Suites are among the largest suites on the ship with enormous balconies. I looked at dozens of photos before writing back to you and I can’t figure out how such a large suite with oversize balconies can feel closed-in. However, they might vary in size a little so it would be a good idea to ask reservations (or your travel agent) what the square footage is for the suite you choose. Whichever you choose, I hope you have a fabulous cruise! Thank you again for readying my Viking Star article and sending your question. Much appreciated.
Jeanne Huffine says
Hello,
We are sailing on the Viking star in the explorer es1. We love balconies but I have heard that the es1 balconies are closed in. Should I get a different room?
Thank you.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Jo,
Good question and I understand your uncomfortableness! I can’t sleep on big fluffy pillows, either! As far as I could find out, no…the standard staterooms do not have a pillow menu. But I would bet that you or your travel agent could submit a request for a foam pillow. Viking Ocean cruises is top-notch and I would be almost certain that your request would be met. I hope this helps a little. Thank you for taking the time to write and for reading my article.
Sherry
Jo lewis says
Does Viking Star offer a selection of bed pillows? I can’t sleep on those big fluffy ones.
Sherry Laskin says
Hi Lucy,
Absolutely there are shops onboard. The more you can bring from home, the more you’ll save. But for last-minute items or something you forgot to pack, the shop is waiting for you. Have a wonderful cruise!
Sherry
Lucy says
Does the ship have a shop for personal items you,might,need?
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Tony, Thank you for your kind comment. It was a deluxe veranda stateroom.
Sherry
Sherry Kennedy says
Hi Pat,
Thanks for your comment. I totally agree…bedside charging outlets are a terrific convenience. This was the first time I’ve seen that and now it seems to be the thing to include in new builds.
Sherry
Tony says
Very informative, please let me know if the beautiful pictures that I see are what type of cabin. Thank you in advance.Tony
Pat says
Excellent description of cabin amenities with pics! Appreciate part about charging outlets and bathroom storage space.