Condé Nast Traveler: A Guide to Viking's Ancient Mediterranean Treasures Cruise, On and Off the Ship
January 8, 2026 — A new ship sometimes needs time to work out the kinks, but at this point—more than 100 vessels later—Viking has the routine down pat. In early November, I boarded the Viking Vesta, the line's 12th ocean vessel, in Istanbul, a few months into service. It marked my first Viking sailing and first time to Türkiye. I was instantly charmed by the line's size and Nordic-inspired spaces. The ships are nearly the same across each category, both in design and onboard experiences, though this one has the distinction of being the largest (998 passengers verses 930). This sameness has its plusses, as they've clearly figured out a nice setup: The lounge areas feel spacious but also cozy and homey, with endless corners to curl up with a good book or simply sit and watch the waves go by. This isn't a go-go-go type of line, where you're racing to visit every last dining venue or lining up for rides—instead, it welcomes and fosters a more restorative type of trip.
