Embrace The Elements

On the magnificent Viking Star, you can soak yourself in luxury.

- Debra Bokur

A FINE LAYER OF SALT GLAZES MY LIPS and I close my eyes, listening to a rush of hot mineral-rich water as it streams into the space beside me. I’m mostly submerged in a large thermal pool, positioned to take advantage of the underwater jets doing an exceptional job melting the knotted muscles behind my shoulders. Spanning the entire length of the wide stone wall at the far end of the pool facing me, a beautiful inset gas fireplace feeds warmth into the space, while firelight flickers against the glass and across the water’s surface.

Aligned at the room’s end across from one another, tall, leafless birch trees reach toward the ceiling, adding to the illusion of taking a dip in a deep alpine forest lake. Elements of Nordic nature and culture all come into play in the LivNordic Spa & Wellness space on board the elegant Viking Star, one of Viking’s extraordinary oceangoing vessels.

The fabulous spa space makes up the entire forward area of Deck One and proves one of the most wonderful at-sea experiences I’ve ever enjoyed. Along with the hot and cold areas, the spa’s multihead showers can target everywhere all at once, or just that one muscle crying out for attention. Separate men’s and women’s dressing areas each provide showers, lockers, large sauna cabins and cold plunge pools. While each also offers its own relaxation area, it’s the tranquil, firelit space near the pools that beckons.