Six Points Of Differentiation: Viking Odin Review

After spending a week on Viking Odin, I now know there are at least six aspects that differentiate this vessel from its competitors.

I’m not referring to aspects such as service and dining, because all river cruise companies do well in these departments. Nor am I talking about included tours, verandas, complimentary internet/WiFi and beer/wine/sodas included at lunch and dinner. These are becoming standard offerings in the river cruise industry.

Viking Odin and its Viking Longships sisters are differentiated by:

1. Nordic Design. The vessels were designed by Bjørn Storbraaten, of Olso-based Yran & Storbraaten Architects. If you have been on Seabourn, Holland America Line or Disney (and more), you already know his fine work. See Nordic Design On Viking Odin
2. The Aquavit Terrace. Featuring retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors, the lounge can be used in any weather conditions and makes the perfect place to enjoy a drink and the company of new friends while admiring the stunning scenery. See Viking Odin: Public Spaces & Service
3. Huge In-Stateroom Sony Televisions. As you will see the photos below.
4. Explorer Suites. The largest river cruise suites in Europe at 445 square feet. These two suites each feature a separate living room, bedroom, bathroom and private wraparound veranda, offering 270-degree views.
5. Green Features. Such as the “Swedish” garden by the lobby staircase, an organic herb garden, solar panels and energy-efficient hybrid engines.
6. Shifted Ship’s Corridor. The off-center corridor from the lobby to aft allows for a variety of stateroom configurations, detailed further down in this post.

That’s not to say that Viking Odin is perfect. For me, it is missing a fitness center, jacuzzi/sauna and bicycles, which some other vessels offer.

Viking Odin Public Rooms

Careful attention has been put into Viking Odin and her sister Viking Longships to ensure passengers are constantly surrounded by an environment that is as rich, comfortable and fittingly cozy.

Notable among Viking Odin’s public areas is the addition of a new indoor/outdoor lounge called the Aquavit Terrace. Featuring retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors, the lounge can be used in any weather conditions and makes the perfect place to enjoy a drink and the company of new friends while admiring the stunning scenery. This is easily one of the best innovations found on the new Longships. See Viking Odin: Public Spaces & Service

Adjacent to the Aquavit Terrace are new Al fresco dining areas. Located on the Upper Deck, these alternate venues offer guests more dining choices, and passengers are no longer limited to dining only in the ship’s main restaurant.

An attractive library, Internet Center and Reception area are on the third deck. On the uppermost level is the expansive Sun Deck, which boasts ample seating, including plenty of direct-sunlight and shaded options.

Viking Odin also features a main lounge known as the Viking Lounge and an elegantly appointed restaurant, both of which feature floor-to-ceiling windows for unparalleled views of the passing scenery.

Viking Odin Dining

Viking Odin features two dining venues for breakfast, lunch and dinner: the main dining room and the Aquavit Terrace.

The latter serves lighter versions of breakfast and lunch, when compared to the restaurant. For those two dining times, the Aquavit Terrace saw good use.

Perhaps because of the winter weather, few people dined evenings in the Aquavit Terrace.

The menu is limited to burgers, club sandwich, pasta and baked potato, but if you want a light bite or to avoid a long dinner, you may want to dine at the Aquavit Terrace.

No matter where you choose to sit, you will enjoy complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks during dinner and lunch.

Breakfast features a variety of selections from cooked-to-order omelets to cereals and fresh fruits and yogurt to a Nordic favorite, herring.

I enjoyed what I came to call “Odinmeal.” It was oatmeal, but the oats were baked in butter, then boiled with milk and sugar. No wonder it was so good.

Staterooms On Viking Odin

I’ve cruised on Viking Odin twice, and both times I stayed in Veranda staterooms that measured 205 square feet, with the full-size veranda included.

My stateroom veranda was sufficiently large enough to step out on or to take a seat and enjoy the view.

Choices for staterooms:

• Explorer Suites are the largest river cruise suites in Europe at 445 square feet. These two suites each featuring a separate living room, bedroom, bathroom and private wraparound veranda, offering 270-degree views.
• Veranda Suites measure 270-square feet with full-size verandas in the living room and French balconies in the bedroom, offering guests the best of both worlds. Seven of these Suites are aboard Odin.
• Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas measure 205-square feet, and closely resemble their deep-ocean cruising cousin. Thirty-nine of these well-appointed staterooms are onboard.
• French Balcony Staterooms measure 135-square feet and feature a French balcony. Twenty-two of these staterooms are available on Viking Odin, and include all the comfortable amenities you might expect from a boutique European hotel, including L’Occitane toiletries, heated bathroom floors, and one of the largest flat-panel televisions we’ve seen in a stateroom. Although extremely well designed, if you crave plenty of open space these French Balcony staterooms may not be for you.

For full reviews of Viking Odin and Viking River Cruises, including in-depth stateroom reviews, see our sister site, River Cruise Advisor.