Welcome to Luxury Travel Docs!: November 2024

Welcome to our in-depth Viking Jupiter cruise ship tour, where we’ll explore Viking Ocean Cruises' exclusive Explorer Suite and other luxurious staterooms, like the Deluxe Veranda and Penthouse Junior Suite. This video and post are perfect for those researching Viking Ocean cruise staterooms, including cabins on ships like the Viking Sky, Saturn, Neptune, and the newest additions to Viking’s ocean fleet.

Viking Ocean Cruises are known for their elegant Scandinavian design, and the Viking Jupiter is no exception. Our tour dives into the top amenities and perks of these staterooms, including the expansive Explorer Suite, designed for the ultimate luxury on your Viking cruise vacation. If you’re considering a Viking ocean cruise on ships like the Viking Jupiter, Sky, or Vesta, and want an exclusive look at the suites, cabins, and amenities, this is your comprehensive guide!

Viking Jupiter’s Explorer Suite: Luxury on the Sea

The Explorer Suite (ES1) aboard the Viking Jupiter offers one of the most spacious and private accommodations on a Viking ocean cruise ship, perfect for travelers who want premium comfort. Located forward on Deck Four, this suite spans over 1,100 square feet and includes a luxurious veranda, offering unbeatable ocean views. Viking cruises are renowned for their well-appointed staterooms, and the Explorer Suite exemplifies this with its extra space, exclusive amenities, and Scandinavian-inspired decor.

See our full video walkthrough on YouTube by clicking below.

Spacious Living Area and Thoughtful Design

With expansive windows flooding the suite with natural light, the Explorer Suite's open, Scandinavian-inspired decor offers elegance and comfort. The living room area provides:

A dining table for four
A desk with convenient storage
Ample outlets (US and EU) but not USB ports, unlike newer vessels. We prefer a Universal Adapter to maximize charging capability on board and in hotels.
A well-stocked mini-bar, replenished daily, with a selection of beverages and snacks
Free Wi-Fi access and two flat-screen TVs offering on-demand movies, educational talks, and cruise information

Viking includes for QuiteVox for use on excursions. We recommend the AirFly Duo to connect your Bluetooth headphones, keeping your hands free and allowing one device for two users.

Private Bedroom and Elegant Vanity

The bedroom is a peaceful retreat, with customizable bed arrangements (king or twin), an additional flat-screen TV, and bedside outlets for convenience. Adjacent to the bedroom, the dressing area includes:

A full-length mirror and ample closet space
A seated vanity with a magnifying mirror and a drawer with a powerful hairdryer
A secure safe to store essentials, such as laptops and personal items

Check out our Luxury Cruise & Travel Essentials Amazon Storefront here! We add products daily!

Luxurious Bathroom Features

One of the most impressive aspects of the Explorer Suite is the bathroom, with:

Dual sinks, a large mirror, and additional shelving
Heated floors for extra comfort
A combined soaking tub and walk-in shower with a separate seat for added relaxation
Complimentary Freya toiletries, designed exclusively for Viking Cruises

While the bathroom doesn’t include grab bars in the shower, it does feature one near the toilet.

Expansive Private Balcony

Though forward-facing suites like this one don’t offer wraparound balconies due to wind exposure, the veranda is furnished with upscale seating options, ideal for relaxing while enjoying the view. The balcony is accessible only through the living area and offers panoramic windows for a bright and spacious feel.

Explorer Suite vs. Penthouse Junior Suite

The Explorer Suite's exclusive features are complemented by perks not available to all stateroom categories:

Shore Excursions: Explorer Suite guests can reserve excursions 137 days before departure, a 10-day advantage over Penthouse Junior Suite guests, which is particularly helpful on high-demand excursions.
Dining Reservations: Explorer Suite guests receive priority dining reservations 90 days in advance, offering flexibility in planning onboard meals.
Spa Reservations: Explorer Suite guests also get priority booking for spa services 90 days in advance.

While the Penthouse Junior Suite is a spacious and luxurious option for most travelers, the Explorer Suite’s larger size, additional amenities, and priority reservations make it an attractive choice, especially for longer voyages.

Conclusion

In choosing between Viking’s Explorer Suite and Penthouse Junior Suite, the decision often comes down to budget, preference for additional space, and the value placed on priority access to popular ship amenities. With the Explorer Suite, guests can expect a well-appointed, luxurious stateroom designed with comfort, relaxation, and priority services in mind.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the Viking Jupiter’s Explorer Suite. At Luxury Travel Docs, we believe in making meaningful and healthy travel happen, and we’re grateful for your support. Every like, comment, and subscription goes toward helping us give back, as all proceeds are donated to charity. So please, help us help others by engaging with our content.

Curious about the latest updates on the Sapphire Princess cruiseship inside cabins after the 2023 dry dock? In this detailed Princess Cruises review, we’ll walk you through the inside cabin experience, highlighting updates from the recent refurbishment, and sharing our honest opinion on what has changed. With our top Princess Cruises tips and tricks, you’ll get insights into cabin features, comfort upgrades, and the latest MedallionClass technology. Whether you’re new to Princess Cruises or planning a 2024 voyage, this inside cabin tour covers everything you need to know—from onboard amenities and what’s new to practical advice for making the most of your stateroom on the Sapphire Princess.

Background: Sapphire Princess Dry Dock Highlights
The Sapphire Princess recently underwent a two-week refurbishment in Portland, Oregon. The biggest transformation you’ll see? The striking new HD screen for Movies Under the Stars, providing a high-definition outdoor entertainment experience. Other enhancements included improvements to ventilation, plumbing, reupholstered furnishings, and state-of-the-art sound and automation upgrades in the theater, which promises a more immersive experience during onboard shows. While the public spaces saw the most attention, updates to inside cabins were more subtle, as many cabin improvements—such as the MedallionClass experience and re-carpeting—were added over the years leading up to this dry dock.

Inside Cabin Tour: What to Expect

1. Room Layout & Closet Space

Inside cabins on the Sapphire Princess have a cozy yet functional layout, with the open closet positioned conveniently near the door and opposite the bathroom. This design offers ample hanging space, with a large shelf above for extra storage. Next to the closet, you’ll find a mirrored shelving unit with six adjustable shelves for organizing smaller items. An additional tip: we like to relocate the life vests to the overhead shelf in the closet area, which frees up even more accessible storage.

See our Full Video Walkthrough on YouTube by clicking below:

2. Bathroom Features

The bathroom layout is typical for most Princess Cruises’ inside cabins: a single sink with a reasonable-sized vanity and three small shelves for toiletries. You’ll find the shower on the opposite side of the sink, with a retractable clothesline that’s great for drying swimwear. Amenities include Princess-branded shampoo and body wash in large bottles, but you may want to bring your own conditioner. There’s no magnifying mirror provided, so if you like to bring your own, we recommend a suction-cup style for flexibility.

3. Comfortable Cabin Bed & Climate Control

The Princess Luxury Bed lives up to its name, offering a comfortable night’s sleep with high-quality linens. However, our biggest cabin comfort question—was there a noticeable change in air conditioning? In our cabin, it felt fine, though we noted some temperature inconsistencies in the hallway during our cruise, a reminder that climate control can vary in older ships. If you’re sensitive to temperature, pack an extra layer or light blanket just in case.

4. Updated Technology: MedallionClass Experience and In-Room TV

Every Sapphire Princess cabin now includes the MedallionClass experience, which streamlines check-in, onboard purchases, and door access. Your stateroom is also equipped with a flat-screen television with various entertainment options. Both of these updates were rolled out across the fleet a few years ago, but they enhance the convenience and connectivity on board, which was once limited to public spaces.

Our Favorite Tips & Tricks for Inside Cabins on Sapphire Princess (click the highlighted text link for more information)

Utilize Magnetic Hooks
With limited space, magnetic hooks can be a game-changer. Use them to hang hats, jackets, lanyards, or even cords, keeping everything off the floor and more accessible.
Bring a Portable Mirror and Night Light
Inside cabins don’t have natural lighting, so a small portable nightlight can be helpful for navigating at night. The suction-cup mirror is useful if you prefer a magnified mirror for makeup or shaving and allows flexibility in placement.
Use an Over-the-Door Organizer
This is one of our favorite cruise tips, especially for inside cabins where countertop space is limited. An over-the-door organizer on the bathroom door keeps everything from toiletries to sunscreen organized and out of the way.
Luggage Storage Under the Bed
With 13 inches of clearance, there’s plenty of space under the bed for suitcases and bags, freeing up more closet space for clothing and other essentials.
Laundry Options
Inside cabins do not include complimentary laundry service unless you’re a Captain’s Circle Elite member. However, you can do laundry in the ship’s laundromats, available for a small fee. We bring laundry detergent sheets for convenience and use them for both the sink and washing machines.

What’s New in the Inside Cabin?

If you’re curious about changes to the inside cabins post-dry dock, here’s a quick rundown. While the overall layout remains the same, the cabin includes several previously added enhancements that have become standard across Princess Cruises. Key updates you’ll notice include the Princess Luxury Bed, designed for maximum comfort, and an in-room flat-screen television that complements the MedallionClass experience, allowing for easy access to entertainment and on-demand services. The cabin itself didn’t undergo any major new alterations in this dry dock, but you can count on fresh carpeting and a clean, inviting look.

JOIN OUR FACEBOOK COMMUNITY BY CLICKING BELOW!

Our Final Assessment
So, did the latest dry dock bring big changes to inside cabins? Not really. The upgrades to public areas—like the Movies Under the Stars screen, theater sound, and ventilation—definitely added appeal to the ship overall, but our cabin felt familiar and comfortable rather than noticeably different. With the Sapphire Princess’s unique itineraries, including routes to South America and Antarctica, it’s a great ship choice, especially if you’re looking for a deal.

Is an Inside Cabin Right for You?
If you’re the type of traveler who spends minimal time in your room, an inside cabin is a budget-friendly option that lets you cruise more frequently. While small, these cabins are well-appointed and comfortable for those who prioritize exploring the ship and ports over having a balcony or ocean view.

We Want to Hear from You!
Have you sailed on the Sapphire Princess recently, or do you have a favorite inside cabin tip? Comment below or on our YouTube video, with your thoughts and experiences. Remember, all proceeds from our channel are donated to charity, so every view, like, or comment makes a difference. We’ve also placed links to some of the items we mentioned in this video’s description—using these links helps support our mission, with no extra cost to you.

Welcome to Luxury Travel Docs!

Saturday, November 9, 2024

Viking Jupiter Cruise Ship Tour: Inside the Explorer Suite and Deluxe Veranda on Viking Ocean Cruises