One cruise, 8 months, 111 ports of call. Yes, there is actually such a thing

It seems that Viking launched its Ocean Division in 2015 with the goal of reinventing the small-midsized ship category. According to Viking’s Chairman Torstein Hagen, his ships offer “the thinking person’s cruise,” not “the drinking person’s cruise.”

The Basel, Switzerland-based company drew upon two highly successful decades in river cruising to decide what the Viking difference would be, and here it is in a nutshell:

• No casinos
• No guests under the age of 18
• No formal dress nights
• No surcharges for specialty restaurants

So much for exclusions. What needs to be included in order to keep 930 well-heeled passengers happy, healthy and contented for four or eight months at a stretch?

For starters, there is free Wi-Fi and the LivNordic Spa’s state-of-the-art thermal suite is open to all guests at no extra charge.

There’s also a well-equipped gym and morning sessions of Pilates, yoga or tai chi at the poolside. Immaculately fresh salads, fruit and vegetables form part of the excellent cuisine in all the restaurants.

In case this all sounds too virtuous, be assured that complimentary beer and wine flow during lunch and dinner service.