What do you get when you mix China with Norway? Chiway? Norina? Either way, get ready for a mashup of Chinese cultural wonders served with a splash of Nordic luxury!
Thanks to a new collaboration between Viking and the Chinese government, the incredible Viking Sun has been rebranded as the Viking Yi Dun.
I’m particularly excited about this ‘China Discovery’ itinerary since it’s been forever since I last visited. But honestly, the moment I stepped aboard the Viking Yi Dun, I wished there were more sea days. This ship is magnificent.
As mentioned, the Yi Dun experience is a blend of Viking’s signature Nordic style and Chinese cultural flair…and it totally works!
The ship, which holds 930 guests (we had about 650 on our cruise), has all the best touches Viking is known for – think reindeer faux fur throws, cosy fireplaces and the traditional Nordic spa experience with hot and cold features for ultimate relaxation (see more below).
But what really stands out are the Chinese influences sprinkled throughout. For example, in the atrium there’s a two-deck-high projection of Chinese art that changes throughout the day, adding a beautiful local touch.
Food wise, the Chinese flavours really shine. You can enjoy dim sum at breakfast in The Restaurant, opt for a Taste of China at lunch, or even indulge in Chinese street food for dinner.
Room service and the restaurants all offer plenty of Chinese-inspired dishes, but don’t worry, Western favourites are always on the menu too.
Most of the staff onboard are Chinese and even though there were some language barriers here and there (especially with complex food or drink orders), their eagerness and cheerful attitudes made up for it.
They’d clearly put in months of English training to prepare for the cruise and you could tell they were doing their best.
When it comes to excursions, Viking really has you covered. The tour guides all had excellent English skills, so exploring off-ship was a breeze.
Some of the included tours were fantastic, such as an acrobatic show, a theatrical performance about Buddha and a visit to the mountain homeland of oolong tea.
Plus, you get to visit some gorgeous temples along the way, with lunch included on those longer day trips. Overall, it’s an awesome blend of cultures both on and off the ship!
Steamy Saturday Nights In Viking Heaven
Back in my college days (which feels like a lifetime ago), I worked part-time as a lifeguard at a huge leisure centre in the UK. It was the perfect gig for a 17-year-old with plenty of fun and lots of laughter!
When we weren’t busy keeping an eye on the pool, one of our tasks was to watch over the sauna. One evening, a woman burst out of the sauna, frantically waving her arms, insisting there was a man inside with some sort of animal on his lap.
Naturally, I rushed in to investigate, only to find him calmly combing conditioner through his toupee, which was balanced on his knee!
Those sauna memories still crack me up and I’ve always looked back on those days with fondness.
So, imagine my delight when I stepped aboard the Viking Yi Dun and discovered their absolutely fabulous spa. They’ve got the works; a dry sauna, a steam room, an ice-cold plunge pool and even a snow/ice room.
But the real highlight? A traditional Norwegian “fire and ice” experience that I joined on a steamy Saturday night. Picture this: 12 of us ladies, all wrapped up in our fluffy white towelling robes, ready for some serious Nordic pampering.
Now, let me tell you, Norwegians do not mess around when it comes to their saunas and on a Viking ship you simply must try the Nordic spa night, aka “The Nordic Bathing Experience.”
It kicks off with a little meditation to get you in the zone, followed by a self-applied body scrub with one of the luxurious lotions provided.
Then, it’s straight into the steam room for some serious sweating. But here’s the best part – it’s not all business! This whole experience was a blast, full of laughter and socialising. Who knew sweating together could be such a bonding experience?
Once you’ve sweated out a ton of toxins, it’s off to the snow grotto where you’re encouraged to lob snowballs at each other. Yes, really! Then, it’s back into the steam room for round two.
The hot and cold cycles feel incredible, like you can actually feel the health benefits kicking in. But then things get serious; we’re handed massive birch branches to whip each other with! It’s all part of the fun and honestly, I’ve never had such good, clean, healthy fun on a Saturday night.
After two hours of pure bliss, I floated back to my stateroom, feeling both relaxed and exhilarated, and had the best night’s sleep of my life.
The Liv Nordic Spa and Fitness Centre aboard the Viking Yi Dun was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of my China Discovery cruise.
Whether you’re soaking in the thermal pool and hot tub, cooling off in the snow grotto, or getting your sweat on in the sauna, it’s the perfect way to recharge after a day of exploring or relaxing at sea. Nordic wellness really is the bomb.
