June 28, 2019 – We sent writer Florence Derrick on Viking's 29-day Along Africa's Western Shore sail from Durban to Casablanca—part of a 21-country world journey from Miami to London. The cruise took her through Cape Town, Dakar, Morocco, and more.
June 12, 2019 – With the launch of Viking Jupiter earlier this spring, Viking Ocean Cruises now has a fleet of six 930-passenger oceangoing cruise ships. While the vessels are nearly identical, we're struck by how the line has evolved since it debuted in 2015.
May 30, 2019 – From its television commercials and word of mouth, Viking has established itself as a well-known river cruise brand – even among those yet to sail. But with the introduction of Viking Star in 2015, the company has rapidly expanded into the ocean space, as well. Viking Sea was even voted Best Small Ship in the 2019 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, with Viking Sky coming in third. The current fleet of six highly-acclaimed ships is scheduled to grow to a staggering 16 by 2027, and each takes the company's successful river cruising philosophy to the seas.
May 3, 2019 – There’s no better (or more comfortable) way to see Norway’s highlights than on a Viking Ocean Cruises coastal cruise that dips into some of the country’s famous fjords, the most breathtaking (and famous) of which are along Norway’s west coast.
April 15, 2019 – As the sparkling blue waters and red-roofed towns of Croatia drift by, Torstein Hagen makes his way through the minimalist, Scandinavian-style lobby of the Viking Jupiter cruise ship, explaining what makes Viking’s voyages successful. The secret is in what the ships don’t have. There are no casinos, no kids, no umbrella drinks, no formal nights, no waterslides and absolutely no butlers. Hagen has been in the cruise industry long enough to know what he doesn’t like.
April 15, 2019 - Torstein Hagen, the founder and CEO of Viking Cruise Lines, shows no signs of slowing down and has embarked on his biggest endeavor yet: To make a name for himself in ocean cruises.
March 6, 2019 – Viking has conquered the small to mid-sized cruise ship market. Viking Ocean Cruises, which was established in 2015, racked up 10 first-place awards in the 9th annual Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Awards on Wednesday. Viking's long-established river cruise line also earned top honors, with Viking Vidar named best for river cruises in a new category.
March 4, 2019 - We're just back from a Northern Lights cruise on Viking Ocean Cruises' Viking Sky, which visited various ports along Norway's coast, heading into the Arctic Circle. Visiting a cold-weather destination in the heart of winter isn't everyone's cup of tea, but for those willing to brave the sometimes-frigid temperatures, the payoff could very well be a big check off your bucket list. That is: spotting the rare and beautiful natural phenomena of the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis.
February 25, 2019 – As well as its innovative sea and river voyages around the world, Viking Cruises is also renowned for its continual support of the arts. Following on from last year’s sponsorship of the V&A’s major Ocean Liners: Speed & Style exhibition, this year, the cruise line is working alongside the British Museum on the anticipated Edvard Munch: Love and Angst exhibition, which will run from 11 April – 21 July 2019.
February 11, 2019 - Viking Cruises inaugurated a new 13-day sailing to northern Norway, called “In Search of the Northern Lights,” which bills itself as the first full-length winter itinerary in the arctic from an American cruise line.
February 4, 2019 - On our cruise aboard Viking Ocean’s Viking Sea, our “Into the Midnight Sun” itinerary visited some of Norway’s better-known destinations. But what really caught my eye, both in planning the trip and then again in experiencing it, was the smaller, more remote and off-beat places that the ship also visits.
January 31, 2019 - I never saw myself as a cruiser, i.e., somehow who loves cruises. In fact, I studiously avoided them. But my experience on the Norwegian-owned Viking completely changed my mind. My journey up the coast of Norway on the Viking Sky was luxurious and comfortable, full of hygge, the Nordic concept that translates, loosely, into “enjoying life’s simple pleasures.” Floor-to-ceiling windows in the ship’s public areas bring the outside in and make you feel close to nature.
January 25, 2019 - The cruise line (one of AFAR readers’ favorites) enters Alaskan waters for the first time in the company’s 22-year history. In May 2019, the 930-passenger Viking Orion, sets sail. Ten-night summertime itineraries between Vancouver and Seward highlight Viking’s entertaining excursion options such as dogsled rides with Iditarod huskies in Seward and gold panning in Juneau.
January 23, 2019 - While taking port in Sydney, during its new Australia and New Zealand route, Yahoo Lifestyle was welcomed aboard the ocean cruiser to truly uncover what is this so-called ‘Viking difference’ – and we have to say, we walked away feeling pretty impressed.
January 5, 2019 - The 930-guest Viking Sea was built in 2016 as the second oceangoing vessel in the Viking fleet. Itineraries are destination focused, but onboard, passengers enjoy an inclusive experience with all-veranda staterooms, plenty of public spaces to spread out, excellent alternative dining options and top-notch service.
December 28, 2018 - Nordic design is as popular and timeless as ever. Home furnishing stores across the globe are adopting the aesthetic made mainstream by brands like Marimekko, Finland’s legendary purveyor of graphic patterns; Denmark’s Hay, known for clean-lined housewares and fixtures; and Oslo-based Northern, which recently branched out from its specialty, lighting, to offer furniture crafted with pale woods native to Norway. One place you may not have expected to find this minimalist style is on cruise ships, often celebrated for their over-the-top, opulent decor. But lovers of this spare, streamlined style will feel right at home on Viking Cruises’ fleet of ocean ships, models of Scandinavian chic with clean lines, light woods and nature-inspired elements.
December 26, 2018 - This year, you added everything from a round-the-world cruise to a road trip through China to your bucket lists. Though definitely not for landlubbers, Viking certainly made a splash when it opened the world’s longest-ever continuous cruise for reservations earlier this year. Taking off late next summer, the trip will see nearly 1,000 sailors settle in for the journey, which will tackle 59 countries and 113 ports of call as it makes its way west around the globe from London.
December 8, 2018 - Unless you want to explore Russia in depth, visiting on a cruise is an easy way to go. Canadians, who normally require a visa to enter Russia, don’t need one if they visit on an ocean cruise and take shore excursions from the ship. (You still need a visa if you want to explore on your own.) While this type of visit only provides a taste of the country, it’s enough for most travellers. This cruise was part of the Viking Homelands itinerary, which samples the best of Scandinavia and its capitals, plus Russia, Estonia, Poland and Germany in one fairy-tale voyage on the Baltic Sea.
December 5, 2018 - Viking Cruises dominated the 11th annual Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards for the second year in a row with five wins in 2018. Viking won three luxury awards (best new luxury ship for the Viking Orion, best spa, best value for money) and two river cruise awards (best for first timers and best itineraries).
November 24, 2018 - Supplementing the cooking classes, yoga sessions and naturalist briefings common on most cruise ships, a new wave of shipboard stimuli are focusing on more intellectual fare. Professorial lectures, book clubs and TED Talk screenings aim to add scholarly diversions to sailings on the high seas. Viking Ocean Cruises recently added resident historians to the crews of each of its six ships. The historians offer lectures on the history of the cruise destination, but also hold round-table discussions on a variety of themes, from women explorers to Venetian naval power.
November 21, 2018 – Cruise itineraries that focus on Northern Europe and Scandinavia offer a tremendous variety of cultures, languages and lifestyles. Want to dive into one of the world's great art collections? St. Petersburg's Hermitage ranks as the second-largest museum in the world, stuffed with masterpieces by Rembrandt, Picasso, da Vinci and van Gogh. How about reveling in the world's greatest horde of fjords? That would be Norway, where more than a thousand of these glacier-carved inlets are said to lace a stunning coastline. And the Viking stories of trade routes and conquest? Trace their history through Scandinavia, as far as the Scottish Isles, Greenland and Russia.
November 13, 2018 – Viking Ocean Cruises #1: What is it about sailing the high seas that inspires romance? That serene setting, certainly, but also intimate dinners, relaxing spa treatments, enriching cultural programs and spectacular sunsets. Whatever the draw, these cruise lines ranked by U.S. News know how to set the mood for an amorous escape. Based on a methodology that factors in health ratings, expert reviews and approval among couples, here are the most romantic cruise lines.
November 9, 2018 – Viking’s "Greek Odyssey" will explore the Aegean Sea sailing round trip from Athens and calling on three new ports for the line: Volos, Greece; Thessaloniki, Greece; and Nafpilo, Greece. All feature a combination of ancient and modern life, including the remains of the Macedonian kingdom of Alexander the Great in Thessaloniki, and the ancient religious center of Dion, located at the foothills of Mt. Olympus in Volos.
November 6, 2018 - Taking a cruise would give us precious days to catch up, bond, and make new memories in strange lands, just as we had done in the past, but without the stressors of cramped flights or unpacking and repacking suitcases every other day.
October 25, 2018 - Gone are the days when ice sculptures and blackjack tables were considered cutting-edge draws. Today, every new floating city that launches raises the bar in terms of size, amenities, and crazy onboard activities (think: skydiving, "snow" rooms, and waterslides). Which is why we thought it'd be fun to take a closer look at some of the coolest new ships currently on the water.
October 22, 2018 - Viking Ocean Cruises topped a ranking of the best cruise ship WiFi service. The ranking was assembled by telecom provider Frontier Communications, which asked 20 cruise lines to provide information about data transmission speeds and costs.
October 9, 2018 - Medium Ship Line #2: Viking Ocean Cruises: A cantilevered swimming pool with a view over the rear of the ship is hardly the only striking feature of these new ships, which debuted in 2015 as an expansion of Viking River Cruises. The five ships, Viking Star, Sea, Sky, Sun, and Orion, each accommodate just under 1,000 guests, and all exclusively in balcony cabins.
October 8, 2018 - This 15-day voyage stops in some of the most romantic and iconic destinations in northern Europe. The "Viking Homelands" itinerary is incredible, sailing through the fjords in Eidfjord, Norway, and stopping at ports of call in cities like Copenhagen, Denmark, Stockholm and Helsinki.
October 3, 2018 - With its rugged, handsome coastline and innumerable remote hamlets, and land costs that can make a sailor reach for smelling salts, Norway is one place that is perhaps best, most easily seen on a cruise. And a 14-day itinerary aboard Viking Sea may well be the best route to experience this magnificent country.
September 24, 2018 - I attended Heroes at Highclere as a guest of the event's title sponsor, Viking—which has also sponsored Downton Abbey for all the years the show aired on PBS. It turns out, Viking also has a close relationship with Highclere Castle and the Carnarvon family in real life and, as a result, cruise guests electing a pre- or post-cruise "Oxford and Highclere Castle" extension on select river and ocean journeys are allowed privileged access to Highclere.
September 16, 2018 - Rain and ocean spray pelted my face as the deep-sea rafting boat sped through the choppy waters of Sarnesfjorden. The coast of Honningsvag — the northernmost city in Norway, and one of the country’s smallest — quickly became a dot in the distance as we zoomed toward our goal: catching and eating red king crabs.
September 3, 2018 - Like watching the sunset, seeking out the Big Dipper in the night sky is a vacation ritual. But in the past five years, according to experts, the term astrotourism has evolved to describe more intentional travel to places with dark skies and more visible stars.
August 30, 2018 - Luxury cruise line Viking claims the title of longest continuous world cruise with a 2019 itinerary it calls the Ultimate World Cruise. Indeed, the trip features a full circumnavigation of the globe, traveling to six continents, 59 countries and 113 ports, including Los Angeles.
August 20, 2018 - Norway is gorgeous any time of the year, but cruising through the country in the summer, when the Land of the Midnight Sun boasts 24 hours of daylight, gives you endless opportunities to take advantage of its natural beauty. With its home port in Bergen, Viking Ocean Cruises knows a thing or two about Norway, and its "Into the Midnight Sun" itinerary is one of its best, offering unparalleled views and shore excursions that let you experience the country's culture, history and scenery 24/7.
August 2, 2018 - Cruise industry folks know that vacationers have literal boatloads of sailing options to choose from these days, inspiring the trend to outfit ships with the most whiz-bang attractions and amenities at sea.
July 25, 2018 – An ocean cruise is a great way to stargaze, but one ship is offering guests a closer look at our galaxy with its own high-tech planetarium on board. Viking Cruises' Orion, which debuted in June, features a high-tech planetarium dubbed The Explorer's Dome. It's the highest definition planetarium to ever sail the seas (Cunard's Queen Mary 2 has a smaller, less high-tech planetarium).
July 10, 2018 – If you want to head out to sea, consider doing so on a Viking ship. For the World’s Best Awards for 2018, Travel + Leisure readers chose Viking as the World’s Best large-ship ocean cruise line. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated individual cruise ships on their cabins/facilities, food, service, itineraries/destinations, excursions/activities, and value.
June 28, 2018 – Retired NASA astronaut Anna Fisher, the first mother in space, has taken to the sea to become the "godmother" to Viking's newest ocean ship, Orion. To be the godmother of Viking Orion "is an incredible honor," Fisher told Space.com. "Not everyone gets to be a godmother of a ship."
June 24, 2018 – I recently sailed aboard Viking Cruises fifth ocean-going cruise ship, the 930-guest Viking Orion, on her maiden voyage from Rome to Barcelona. She was christened in a spectacular ceremony in Livorno, Italy by Dr. Anna Fisher, a chemist, emergency room physician and former NASA astronaut who became the first mother in space during a 1984 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.
June 20, 2018 – Viking seems to have hit a home run with the size, style and focus of its ocean-going vessels. The ships are relatively small and upscale, and the experience revolves heavily around the destinations they visit. The line also has grabbed the love and loyalty of customers with its "no nickel-and-diming" philosophy. A lot is included in the fare. But it's more than just that. Here, USA TODAY highlights 19 things that cruise fans and travel agents say are setting Viking ships apart.
June 19, 2018 – The Orion is a near copy of Viking’s four other ships—the Star, Sea, Sky, and Sun—with room for 930 guests (in 465 balcony staterooms), eight restaurants, two pools, and a massive Nordic-inspired spa (with sauna, steam room, and even a snow grotto, ideal for chilling out between hot tub dips). It does have a few space-themed extras, though, in a nod to both the ship’s name and its godmother, the astronaut Dr. Anna Fisher, who was on hand for the christening in Livorno, on the coast of Italy near Pisa, last week.
June 19, 2018 - Over the last six years, Viking has made a big splash on Europe’s rivers launching more than 40 riverboats. On the heels of that robust success, the cruise line is also making waves on the ocean.
June 17, 2018 – When Viking Cruises' first ocean-going ship, Viking Star, debuted in 2015, it featured something unusual for a cruise vessel: A restaurant that changed its cuisine every few days. Dubbed The Chef's Table, the eatery offered a rotation of four tasting menus that focused on everything from Italian to Caribbean dishes. It was just the beginning of what may be the most ambitious undertaking in cruise ship cuisine ever.
June 18, 2018 – Viking’s latest ocean ship, Orion, is currently sailing from Rome to Barcelona on its maiden voyage after a spectacular naming celebration in Livorno, Italy last week. Named after one of the brightest and most recognizable constellations in the night sky, Viking Orion becomes the fifth ship in the company’s award-winning ocean fleet. It seems fitting that Dr. Anna Fisher, the retired NASA astronaut known for her work on NASA’s Orion exploration vehicle project, was named Godmother of the new ship, which features an exclusive “Explorations in Space” photo collection, a Resident Astronomer who will lead lectures and stargazing sessions and a high-tech planetarium-like theater showing panoramic films about space exploration.
June 18, 2018 – Viking Orion, the fifth ship in Viking Ocean Cruises' growing fleet, debuted this week with one big, wow-worthy surprise: a planetarium. The Explorers' Dome, located on the second level of the ship's Explorers' Lounge, is a brilliantly high-tech planetarium that features a dome with 7K resolution, five laser-beam projectors, studio speakers and 2-D and 3-D options. While it's not the first cruise ship to offer a planetarium, it's the most advanced; Viking executives say Orion has the highest definition dome around.
June 15, 2018 – Combining Nordic culture and space travel, Viking Cruises officially welcomed its fifth ocean ship, Viking Orion — named after the prominent constellation and in honor of retired NASA astronaut Anna Fisher. The official naming ceremony of Viking Orion took place yesterday (June 14) in Livorno, Italy.
June 7, 2018 – Viking Ocean Cruises took delivery of its fifth cruise ship today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Alcona, Italy. The 930-passenger ship is identical to its fleetmates, Viking Star, Sea, Sky and Sun. Viking Orion, like the rest of the Viking Ocean fleet, has all-balcony staterooms, multiple dining venues included in the cruise fare, two pools, and a spa with a free thermal suite that features a sauna and snow grotto. It will sail to a wide range of destinations including the Mediterranean, Australia & New Zealand, Alaska, Asia and South Pacific.
June, 1, 2018 – When traveling with Viking Cruises, crowned the best cruise company in the world for the second year running, tourism, culture and art experiences go hand in hand. We spoke with Karine Hagen, the company’s knowledgeable Senior Vice President, to talk about her relationship with both Edvard Munch and art in general and about what travelling means to her.
May 29, 2018 – For those of us who prefer traveling in a kind of nomadic luxury, where access to a great spa, options for great food and wine, and exceptional off ship tours or exploring in a nomadic way, a high-end ocean cruise – one without thousands of people -- is the perfect answer. Recently, I traveled on the Viking Star, considered a small ship, as it accommodates only 930 passengers and 465 staterooms, each with its own balcony. It was the Empires Of The Mediterranean cruise, where we experienced the cuisine, history, and culture of Venice, the Dalmatian Coast and Greece.
May 16, 2018 – By uniting the river and ocean experiences, Viking is offering passengers a very rich experience of regional culture. The cruises combine a 190-guest Viking Longship river cruise with a cruise on Viking’s fast-growing fleet of nearly identical 930-guest ocean ships. Agents’ main complaint is that the first two itineraries (setting sail in 2018) were already full when they heard about the product.
May 11, 2018 – If you've ever wished you could take a year off and travel the world, Viking Cruises may have just created the best way to achieve that dream. Viking's Ultimate World Cruise, which departs London on August 31, 2019, will take you to 59 countries and 113 ports across six continents and will last 245 days, making it the world's longest continuous cruise.
May 2, 2018 – If seven days on a cruise doesn’t feel like enough time to get your sea legs, Viking Cruises is now offering a 245-day Ultimate World Cruise. The eight-month cruise will visit six continents, 59 countries and 113 ports, starting at $92,990. Fares go up to $269,990 for the Owner’s Suite. The itinerary will set a record as the world’s longest continuous cruise when it takes off from London on August 31, 2019.
May 2, 2018 – Call it the most epic cruise ever. Fast-growing Viking on Tuesday unveiled plans for an around-the-world sailing lasting 245 days — a new record for a continuous world voyage, according the line. Kicking off in London on Aug. 31, 2019, the trip will take place on the 930-passenger Viking Sun and include stops at 113 ports in 59 countries. The ship will visit every continent except Antarctica.
April 18, 2018 – It was about this time six years ago that I stood on the pier in Amsterdam, on a cold and blustery Dutch day, and watched as Viking Cruises launch its first set of Viking Longship riverboats. The 190-passenger Viking Odin and her three sisters were total game-changers; no one company had ever designed anything like them before, and passengers were immediately taken with their charming, Scandinavian-inspired decor, excellent service, and quality cuisine.
March 30, 2018 – When Viking Sun was christened here to great fanfare in March, the big reveal wasn’t so much the influencer Viking has become in small-ship ocean travel but its powerful connection to China. Viking — yes, that Viking — is best known for its river ships in Europe. What you probably didn’t know: This year, Viking is offering 100 sailings on the Rhine and Danube exclusively for Chinese travelers. Mandarin is the official onboard language.
April 5, 2018 – Viking is combining river and ocean cruises in a single journey for trips that begin this summer. The luxury cruise line rolled out new sailings that explore Europe's rivers and then set sail along the North Sea coast. On the trips, passengers transfer from river Longships, as Viking calls its river fleet, to ocean-going ships.
March 27, 2018 – The 930 passengers aboard the Viking Sun aren’t the only ones taking Viking Ocean’s first around-the-world trip: Six 500-liter barrels of Scandinavian linje aquavit also left Miami on December 15 on a five-month voyage circumnavigating the planet, too. When the ship sails into London on May 5 after the sold-out, 141-day world cruise, they’ll have completed their journey.
March 27, 2018 – Founded in 1997, Viking River Cruises plies the waterways of Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt with its fleet of more than 60 vessels. While Viking has also launched an award-winning ocean cruise line, the company built its reputation in river cruising. These all-inclusive cruises feature outside staterooms, WiFi, wine and beer with meals, shore excursions in every port and Viking’s signature Culture Curriculum program.
March 12, 2018 – A warning to Oceania, Azamara, Seabourn and all the other lines that are in the business of selling upscale ocean cruises: The Vikings are coming for you. After gobbling up the lion's share of the river cruise market over the past decade, Norwegian-rooted Viking, it is now clear, is aiming to dominate the market for upscale ocean cruises, too.
March 8, 2018 – River cruise giant Viking's move into ocean cruising hit another milestone on Thursday as the company officially named its fourth ocean ship, Viking Sun, along the riverfront area of Shanghai known as the Bund.
February 13, 2018 – Viking Ocean Cruises swept the Small-Mid category, winning every category but one, for a total of nine awards. Viking Sea was named Best Overall, Best Cabins, Best for Fitness & Recreation, Best Shore Excursions and Best for Value; while Viking Sky was named Best Entertainment and Best Public Rooms; and Viking Star was named Best Dining and Best Service. Viking Sea was also named Best for First Timers.
February 10, 2018 – Viking Ocean Cruises' newest ship, Viking Sun, arrived in Sydney for the first time today, marking the brand's debut down under and its maiden voyage around the world. The 930-passenger Viking Sun set off from Miami on December 15, 2017, on a 141-day cruise to London, around five continents, 35 countries and 66 ports. Melbourne was the first port of call for the ship's foray into Australian waters on February 8, followed by Sydney this morning, with Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, Thursday Island and Darwin to follow.
February 1, 2018 – For two weeks, beginning in Stockholm and making my way to Finland, Estonia, Russia, Poland, Germany, and Denmark before finally ending in the charming coastal towns of Norway, I would explore the stunning landscapes where Viking culture was born or had a presence.
February 1, 2018 – I’ve been trying to decide what I liked best about Viking Sun and I’ve narrowed it down to these three points: the heated bathroom floors; the variety of dining choices with no extra fee; and the peace that comes with having no children on board.
January 11, 2018 – For those of you who have not experienced a cruise other than the megaships, let me bring you into the world of Viking. If you are looking for a constant hustle and bustle, casinos and loud music, read no further. But, if you are looking for a more intimate ship, personalized service, cultural enrichment and total relaxation then read on.
January 16, 2018 – Unveiled in November, Sun is two-year-old Viking Ocean's fourth vessel. Like the line's first three ships — Viking Star, Viking Sea and Viking Sky — its less than a third the size of the latest megaships from the likes of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, and it has been designed to mix on-board elegance with a focus on destinations that executives say has been lost across much of the cruise industry in recent years.
January 11, 2018 – Subtle reminders of Viking heritage are everywhere on the 930-passenger ship, from the reindeer pelts and wool blankets draped across the backs of upholstered chairs in the Explorer's Lounge to the snow grotto in the LivNordic Spa.
January 8, 2018 – The ship's visit marked a number of firsts: It was Viking Cruises' first world cruise, its first West Coast port of call, and the first opportunity for the line’s U.S.-based employees, who work in Woodland Hills, to see one of the ships they help to market and create.
January 5, 2018 – Viking Ocean Cruises today announced the line's sixth cruise ship, launching in February 2019, will be named Viking Jupiter. Torstein Hagen, the cruise line's chairman and founder, announced the ship's name at Port Los Angeles, where Viking Sun became the first ship in the fleet to visit the U.S. West Coast.
