I admit it: I am a cruise addict. Warm weather, cold weather, smooth seas or choppy water, I’m absolutely in my element onboard a ship heading to practically anywhere. Because I’ve sailed a number of times, I’ve become a little bit picky about service — and one of my pet peeves is how efficiently (or not) shore excursions are handled. I recently had an opportunity to sail from Germany to Bergen, Norway, aboard the elegant Viking Star on the line’s Vikings Homeland route, which included ports in Copenhagen and Aalborg, Denmark; and Eidfjord and Bergen, Norway.

Viking never missed a beat. By the time we made port in Copenhagen, I was already impressed with the extreme level of professional service and friendliness of all members of the crew and staff; the high quality of the dining options; and head-over-heels in love with onboard spaces, including the Wintergarden for afternoon tea and the Explorer’s Lounge for cocktails and music. Built in 2015, the Viking Star exudes a sort of understated glamour — posh without being flashy.

Wintergarden © Viking

Along with that, the seamlessly deployed, efficiently managed and immensely interesting port calls put Viking leaps and bounds ahead of other lines for me. Staff was always prepared and helpful, and buses, coaches and tour guides were always on time and where they were supposed to be.

Mary Quincy Explorers Lounge © Viking

Quietvox Voice Controlled Transmitter Systems were provided for tours and set up in staterooms, along with in-room charging stations. Each day’s in-room printed activity guide was clearly marked with tours and excursions where the Quietvox system was to be used. The only drawback to all that shore excursion efficiency and those enticing ports is you may not want to leave the ship in the first place. The gracious spaces and guest areas include an enormous spa equipped with thermal pools, a wall-length fireplace, a steam chamber, lounge areas and a bona-fide ice cave filled with snow for between-heat sessions.

Individual men’s and women’s spa spaces had private saunas and plunge pools, along with ample relaxation areas. Even stateroom bathrooms had a spa-like edge, with heated floors and large glass shower stalls. And, as all cruise addicts know, having a soothing private space is essential to quality time plying the waves of the world’s wide seas.

Mary Quincy Infinity Pool © Viking