When the season is dark, damp and dismal, a sensible soul turns to thoughts of escape. Can’t beat a welcome winter getaway. It’s guaranteed to gladden the heart. In the past, I thought there were only two real options on offer.
If sitting in the sun was your thing, you could head off in search of winter warmth far away. If skiing was more your style, then the obvious choice, was to head off in search of snow. The more, the fresher, the merrier.
However, turns out, I had missed a trick. There’s a third way. Another option. Taking a winter cruise. Which is exactly what my wife and I decided to do recently. Signed up for a coastal cruise around Italy, starting near Rome and ending up in Venice, with short stops in Sicily and Croatia along the way.
Getting There
Getting there was easy. We flew from Heathrow to Rome and got on the ship somewhere thereabouts. What made it even more of a thrill, was getting on the plane in London wearing winter woollies, only to arrive in Italy a couple of hours later, where the weather was positively summer-like.
Meaning we could shed our heavy layers and wander around in just jackets and jeans. Pure bliss.
Viking Star – the ship
Is definitely not one of those monster cruise ships with thousands of guests onboard. She’s more of a modest mouse, a fine looking craft with eight floors of staterooms. When full to bursting, she can accommodate 930 passengers.
Which makes her small enough to stroll round in less than half an hour, but large enough to provide plenty of interesting nooks and crannies, places to pass the time in peaceful contemplation of the good life.
The staff were absolutely superb. Always smiling, always helpful and quick to learn your name. Always a pleasure to talk with.
Which brings me neatly to the other guests onboard. A lovely sociable bunch too. If you aren’t much of a talker, you can fill your days smiling and nodding to friendly passers by.
But if chatting is more your thing, seemed like everyone was up for making friends, swapping stories, getting to know you. Made the ship feel much like a friendly floating village throughout our stay.
Our stateroom
We had a penthouse veranda on the sixth floor. Which meant it was posh and plush with plenty of room to stretch out and relax.
Either on the soft, dreamy beds, the snugglesome sofa or the comfy chair by the window leading out to the veranda.
Naturally, the ensuite was exquisite too. Once again, the staff who looked after our room were fantastic. Cleaning twice a day, restocking the complimentary minibar and generally making sure we felt more spoilt than a Cheshire cat at Christmas.
Food & Drink
Whatever food you fancy; burger and chips by the pool, fine dining in style at the Chef’s table, going Italian, or even sampling something exotic from around the worlds cuisine, you can find a dish to suit your tastes.
On our first evening we had some superb sushi at the World Cafe, then headed down to hear an excellent pianist at the Viking Bar, where we sipped on a selection of cocktails, beers and coffee.
In truth, there are so many excellent eateries and cosy bars on board, it’s hard to remember them all. Just take it from me, whatever you want to eat or drink, you can find it, just waiting to tickle your tastebuds and take your tongue to paradise.
Since most food and drink is included in the price, you can fill your boots with no fear of emptying your wallet too. Though, we also took advantage of the Silver Spirits package, which meant we got to enjoy the best booze on offer at no extra cost. Definitely recommended.
Facilities
Of course, there is more to life than food and drink, other appetites must be satisfied too. Which is probably why onboard facilities include such pleasures as; a theatre, two cinemas, a fitness centre, gym, Nordic Spa, nail salon, library and plenty of places to sit and relax.
My wife’s particular favourite was the spa, where she enjoyed a superb leg massage, just perfect after a days walking, then had her nails done. To perfection!
Itinerary
After spending the first few hours onboard getting to know the ship, along with it’s list of attractions, things got even better when we set sail early that evening. There really is nothing to beat lying in bed, being lulled to sleep by the gentle motion of the ocean, as you cruise through the coal dark night to your next days excitement.
Naples
In the morning we awoke to find ourselves moored up in Naples. After a mighty fine breakfast, we took a walking tour of the old town. Shore excursions are available at every stop and we went on one every single time. They’re a fantastic way to get to know a place quickly, with an expert guide always on hand.
Naples showed us everything we could ever have wished for. Narrow cobbled alleyways filled with life, laughter and sunshine. Shops and shopping galleries filled with bargains galore. And everywhere we looked, hordes of scooters, buzzing along sundrenched streets.
When we had enough of exploring, we went back to the ship, to hang out for a couple of happy hours in our warm, sunlit stateroom. It was perfect. We went on holiday in search of sunshine to lift our spirits, and found enough on the first day alone to fill a boat sized bucket for the rest of the year. To say we went to bed smiling would be an understatement. We were in heaven.
The next few days followed the same, pleasantly familiar pattern. Each morning we would wake in a new port, take an excursion after breakfast, then head back to the ship for lunch. Spending the afternoon enjoying all the good things on offer aboard. Around sunset, as the sky lit up like a pink and golden wall of candy floss, we would set sail in search of seas anew.
Messina
Along the way we stopped at Messina, in Sicily, where we found superb pavement cafes on side streets, making perfectly poetic coffees.
Crotone
Next day we were in Crotone, home to the ancient Greek mathematician, Pythagoras, where we strolled along a sandy beach lined with palm trees, perfect for watching the waves.
Bari
Next day we arrived at Bari, in Puglia. With a lovely old town right next to the port, filled with twisting alleyways, hidden corners and tiny balconies festooned with washing.
Further on there were broad avenues filled with upmarket shops and lined with apartment blocks, each one unique and architecturally inspiring. We loved it.
Sibenik
Next stop was Sibenik, the oldest Croatian city on the Dalmatian coast. We’ve always wanted to visit Croatia and were not disappointed.
The old town was full of cutesy cafes, half concealed churches and cobbled courtyards. After lunch I strolled down to the pebbly beach for a swim and met a friendly local walking his Dalmatian dog along the Dalmatian coast. Which was another thing ticked off the bucket list.
Venice
Our last port of call was Venice. Which was gorgeous and romantic in equal measure. The prettiest lady of the lake I ever did see. Really was the perfect place, to end a perfect week, on the most perfect cruise around the Italian coastline.
Conclusion
If you ever fancy a winter break with a difference, I can thoroughly recommend this Italian Sojourn. An awesome way to enjoy the sights and sounds of coastal Italy when at its quietest.
Might actually be the best possible way to spend a wintery week away. You get to spend time on a luxurious floating hotel, where the staff treat you like royalty, feeding you the finest food and wines available to humanity, whilst also spoiling you like you’ve never been spoilt before.
After taking our first ever sea cruise, we are now both complete and utter cruise addicts. Keen to do it all over again. We’re obviously not the only ones. We met one couple on their 24th Viking cruise, who had already booked their 25th.
Incidentally, if you DO take a winter cruise like this, don’t forget your summer wear, suncream and sunglasses. If our experience is anything to go by, you are going to need them. Bon voyage!
FAQs
Where does the cruise go?
The awesome 8-day Italian Sojourn cruise starts in Rome (Civitavecchia), stops at Naples, Sicily (Messina), Crotone, Bari, Šibenik (Croatia) and ends in Venice (Chioggia).
How much does it cost?
Prices for a veranda stateroom start from £2,990 per person for a 15-22 November 2025 sailing, including return flights from select UK airports, based on current availability.
How do I book?
To book please call 0800 319 66 60 or visit viking
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