With more than 450 awards to its name, Viking is a leader in the industry and was rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans (for ships sized 500 to 2,500 berths) and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler for the second year in a row in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. This marks the first time a travel company has won these three categories in back-to-back years.
Europe River Ships and Itineraries
Sailing Europe’s storied rivers, the award-winning fleet of identical Viking Longships® offer a variety of stateroom categories and true two-room suites with full-size verandas. Onboard amenities include a restaurant, bar and lounge, library and expansive sun deck. The ships feature al fresco dining on the revolutionary indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, elegant Scandinavian design and environmentally considerate features, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines for a remarkably smooth ride.
Europe river voyages range from 8 to 23 days, with itineraries featuring Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle, Elbe, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers.
Mississippi River Ship and Itineraries
Viking launched destination-focused travel experiences on the Mississippi River in 2022, with sailings ranging from 8 to 15 days between New Orleans, Louisiana and St. Paul, Minnesota.
Viking’s arrival brings modern river voyages to the Mississippi and represents a major commitment to tourism and economic development in many communities along the river. Currently scheduled ports of call on Viking’s new Mississippi River itineraries comprise seven U.S. states: Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Darrow, New Orleans and St. Francisville); Mississippi (Natchez and Vicksburg); Tennessee (Memphis); Missouri (Hannibal, St. Louis); Iowa (Burlington, Dubuque and Quad Cities); Wisconsin (La Crosse); and Minnesota (Red Wing, St. Paul).
The Viking Mississippi hosts 386 guests and features some of the largest staterooms across the cruise industry, where each guest has a sweeping view of the river and landscape beyond.
Ocean Ships and Itineraries
In 2015, Viking introduced its first ocean ship with the naming of the 930-guest all-veranda Viking Star. One year later, Viking launched its second ocean ship, the Viking Sea, which was joined by sister ship the Viking Sky in 2017, the Viking Orion in 2018, the Viking Jupiter in 2019 and the Viking Venus in 2021. Identical sister ships the Viking Mars and the Viking Neptune joined the fleet in 2022; the Viking Saturn joined in 2023.
The company’s award-winning ships are engineered at a size that allows direct access into most ports, so guests can easily and efficiently embark and disembark—allowing for more time in port. Viking’s ocean fleet features modern Scandinavian design with elegant touches, intimate spaces and attention to detail. Each ship boasts a private veranda in every stateroom, a choice of restaurants offering a variety of fine dining options, the most al fresco dining at sea, an infinity pool, a Nordic-inspired spa, the two-deck Explorers’ Lounge with panoramic views, thoughtfully curated book collections throughout the ship and more.
Ocean itineraries are designed to maximize the amount of time travelers spend in their destination. These enriching itineraries include base and combination voyages around the world—with particular focus in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Alaska, North and South America and Africa.
Expedition Ships and Itineraries
In 2022, Viking launched expedition voyages with the arrival, the 378-guest Polar Class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Both ships sail expedition voyages in Antarctica, the Arctic and North America’s Great Lakes.
Designed by the same experienced nautical architects and engineers that designed Viking’s Longships and ocean ships, the ships are optimally sized and built for expeditions, at an ideal size for safety, comfort and onboard amenities in remote destinations. An integrated bow creates a longer waterline for the ships; state-of-the-art fin stabilizers allow the ships to glide over the waves for the calmest possible journey; ice-strengthened Polar Class hulls provide the safest way to explore; and U-tank stabilizers significantly decrease rolling by up to 50 percent when the ships are stationary. The ships feature the company’s signature Scandinavian design, with public areas that are favorites on Viking’s ocean ships, as well as new spaces created specifically for expeditions.
Viking has also created the world’s leading scientific enrichment environment in an expedition setting. Exclusive partnerships with the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—as well as other prestigious scientific institutions—match leading researchers and educators with each expedition.
Voted #1 for Rivers, Oceans & Expeditions
We are proud to be the first travel company voted #1 across all three categories simultaneously by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler two years in a row.
Staterooms Thoughtfully Designed for Your Comfort
Rejuvenate in a king-size bed with a soft duvet and goose-down pillows. Indulge in complimentary programming on a flat-screen LCD TV with an easy-to-use remote. Generous closets, plentiful USB ports and US/EU outlets, plush robes and slippers add to your comfort.
And our award-winning bathrooms feature large glass-enclosed showers with easy-to-see controls, premium Freyja® toiletries, anti-fog mirrors and heated floors.
Abundant Dining Options
We offer eight onboard dining options—all with no additional charge or fee. Our ocean vessels put the spotlight on fine dining in The Restaurant, which serves the widest selection of culinary options. Our alternative restaurants, The Chef’s Table and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant, feature regional cuisine and specialty dishes. Plus, we offer the most al fresco dining at sea.
What Viking Is Not
We do not try to be all things to all people. Instead, we focus on delivering meaningful experiences to you.
No children under 18, No casinos, No nickel and diming, No charge for Wi-Fi*, No charge for beer & wine at lunch & dinner, No charge for alternative restaurants, No umbrella drinks, No photography sales, No art auctions, No inside staterooms, No entrance fee for the spa, No spa sales pressure, No charge for use of launderette, No smoking, No waiting in lines, No formal nights, butlers or white gloves.
What are you waiting for?
Alll you have to do is decide, and we will do all the work so you can enjoy an Easy Dream Vacation!