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 – Christmas markets in Europe on your bucket list? Want to see the best of the best, and as many as you can in a one-week vacation? Well, you’re not alone! That was exactly what we wanted, and we were able to check European Christmas markets off our bucket list this year by taking a Christmas Market cruise with Viking River Cruises down the Danube River!
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.
April 11, 2018 – I recently traveled on a delightful, relaxing Viking cruise from Lyon to Avignon. Our ship took us to villages, vineyards, gorges and historic sites along the Rhone River.
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 3, 2018 – Perhaps the best known of the river cruise companies, Viking promotes their “longships,” which include large suites and inviting verandas for outdoor dining. Guests enjoy Viking’s destination-focused dining while viewing the scenery along the rivers. Viking offers a variety of staterooms and itineraries with a wide range of prices.
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.
February 1, 2018 – Viking — a T+L World's Best Winner in 2017 — is constantly coming out with new vessels, like the Viking Hild, which is virtually identical to the 40-plus other longships in Viking's fleet. And that is a very good thing: These are the ships, after all, that sparked America's crush on river cruising, and everything about them continues to feel fresh, vibrant, and impeccably thought out, from the generous number of cabins with balconies to the no-fog mirrors in the cabin bathrooms — a miraculous touch if you happen to be the last person in the shower in the morning.
January 15, 2018 – Take my advice, ocean liner cruise veterans and cruise neophytes alike, if you are searching for a way to see the world and sail through some of the most beautiful scenery (up close!), the way to do it is on a river cruise, and especially on a river cruise with Viking.
December 12, 2017 – Viking Cruises dominated the 10th annual Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards with five wins. Viking won three river cruise awards (best enrichment, best for first timers and best shore excursions) and two ocean luxury awards (best spa and best value for money). Viking also dominated the website's Cruisers' Choice Awards in February, which are chosen by reviews posted by travelers registered with the site.
December 12, 2017 – Drifting down the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, this duo enjoyed all the sites, food, friendships — and precious time shared — the Grand European Tour had to offer.
December 8, 2017 – The company best known for its river cruise itineraries will debut seven new river ships during 2019, including six new Viking Longships®, which will sail along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in Europe… Sail on a Viking Longship, and you’ll see why they are so popular with global travelers.
October 31, 2017 – The cruise industry is growing by leaps and bounds, with companies regularly announcing the upcoming launch of new ships. But none can compete with the marathon efforts of Viking, which is adding two new ships to its fleet in 2018, another ship in 2019 and seven new river boats. Viking, which currently operates a fleet of 62 vessels, offers scenic cruising along the rivers and oceans of the Americas, Europe, Russia, Egypt, China and Southeast Asia.
October 26, 2017 – It's expansion time again at Viking River Cruises. The California-based line on Tuesday officially announced it had placed an order for seven new river ships to arrive in 2019. Viking said six of the vessels will sail on Europe's Rhine, Main and Danube river system. The seventh ship will debut on Portugal’s Douro River.
October 17, 2017 – Viking was voted the Best River Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking has scored in the top of the list every year since the river cruise category was introduced. Also, after only two years of operating ocean cruises, Viking was again named one of the Best Ocean Cruise Lines.
October 5, 2017 – Viking Cruises CEO Torstein Hagen weighs in on cruise line business.
September 21, 2017 – We depart Budapest, aboard Vilhjalm, a Longship named for the second ruler of Normandy who followed in his father's leading footsteps. For seven nights our home is a calming, two-room Veranda Suite stocked with Freyja toiletries, as Vilhjalm glides across the more murky-green-brown-than-blue Danube depicted by composer Johann Strauss II in his eponymously named waltz.
September 2, 2017 – Few people would ever have predicted that river cruises could overtake the ocean market to become the fastest-growing segment of the industry. Yet, founded just 20 years ago with four modest riverboats and a home office consisting of two cell phones, Viking River Cruises has successfully leveraged the river market to achieve industry-leading growth. Now it is poised to become the world’s largest small-ship cruise line. Cruise Business Review traces the rapid growth of Viking Cruises.
August 24, 2017 – Of course, we knew this would be the trip of a lifetime as we sailed down the Blue Danube, what we hadn’t counted on was having our own 5-star restaurant on board the ship. Being on a small ship makes all the difference in the world. Viking River Cruises hold about 180 passengers which means a more intimate atmosphere and make life much easier for the staff to get to know you.
August 9, 2017 – Viking Cruises has announced new partnerships that will continue the cruise line’s focus on cultural enrichment. Viking has signed on to sponsor the United States tour of the acclaimed English boys choir, LIBERA, and the Ballet Sun Valley international festival this summer. The company has also extended its sponsorship of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl for the fifth consecutive season.
August 2, 2017 – If you are looking for and expect that big cruise ship feel, don’t book your ticket on Viking because that is not what a cruise like this is about. What it is about is that feeling of being ‘home’, it is small without all the distractions, guests will mingle with each other more and the staff is pretty entertaining. They spend time with you and do the little things that you don’t get on a huge cruise ship.
July 21, 2017 – The award-winning Viking Cruises has always put an emphasis on discovery. To encourage exploration on shore, there is an included excursion -- usually a guided walking tour -- in every port its longships visit. Recently they have expanded their lineup of optional shore trips with some delightful -- and in many cases exclusive -- experiences for an extra fee.
June 21, 2017 – As river cruising grows and grows in popularity, Viking River Cruises, the giant of the industry and its most award-winning cruise line, has added something new. Its world-wide itineraries now feature culinary tours, wine tastings, and multiple opportunities to sample local cuisine on board and ashore, at virtually every port.
May 25, 2017 – Acclaimed for its innovation, distinctive modern Scandinavian design, inclusive value and immersive destination-focused offerings, for the past 20 years Viking Cruises has amassed awards from industry experts and the travel trade.
April 19, 2017 – A lifelong admirer of Einstein, Torstein Hagen, also a physicist, shares Einstein’s interest in the concept of time and often refers to time as 'the only scarce commodity.' The campaign debuts today and will roll out across additional marketing channels throughout the show’s 10-part global event series on National Geographic.
May 24, 2017 – In May 2017, we sailed up the Rhine River exploring Switzerland, Germany, France and The Netherlands on a Viking river cruise. The entire trip was calm and relaxing and we felt like it struck the perfect balance of sightseeing and leisure.
May 12, 2017 – Viking River Cruises on Tuesday revealed the design of a ship that will sail the Nile River on a 12-day cruise-tour of Egypt that will begin next year. The Viking Ra, named for Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl’s primitive boats, will carry 48 guests on the all-suite ship.
May 11, 2017 – Travels throughout Europe have given my wife Shelley and me some magnificent memories, but we took great care in selecting our latest European destination because of security concerns. We carefully researched possibilities and opted for Portugal and a peaceful Viking River Cruise on its picturesque Douro, also known as the River of Gold.
May 7, 2017 – To borrow a phrase from Viking chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen, who was aboard for the first few days of the sailing, we were "exploring the world in comfort." Much of that comfort is down to Hagen and his team, who have worked hard to refine the Viking experience during the company's 20-year history.
May 9, 2017 – Viking River Cruises on Tuesday revealed details of an intimate new ship it's developing for the Nile River in Egypt. Scheduled to debut in March, the Viking Ra will feature spacious public areas and just 24 cabins — all suites with premium amenities.
May 1, 2017 – A European river-cruise vacation last summer had brought me to this beautiful part of Austria. I was exploring the Danube, which crosses 10 countries as it snakes 1,770 miles from western Germany to its destination at the Black Sea. My weeklong trip aboard Viking Cruises' longboat Var traveled from Budapest to Nuremberg, Germany.
Viking Cruises announced it has signed on to sponsor National Geographic’s first fully scripted global anthology series, “Genius,” which in its debut season tells the story of the 20th century’s most brilliant icon, Albert Einstein. The new premier partnership with National Geographic builds on Viking’s continued commitment to supporting enriching cultural programming, with current and past partnerships including PBS’ MASTERPIECE, the Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl, the Munch Museum and more.
March 21, 2017 – Recommend jetted over to Germany to take a first-hand look at two of Viking River Cruises’ latest Longships to join the fleet: Viking Hild and Viking Herja. After a celebratory start during the christening ceremony in Koblenz, Germany (which included Champagne-filled gondola rides to a fortress and fireworks over town), we set off on a 4-day mini cruise along the Rhine on board Viking Hild.
March 9, 2017 – From the rivers to the oceans and back again, what we're learning after a few days on a brand-new Longship from Viking River Cruises is that the most recognizable river cruise line to North Americans keeps on improving.
March 7, 2017 – At the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel rivers in Germany, near the French border, Viking River Cruises on Tuesday debuted its latest river cruise ships, Viking Herja and Viking Hild, just below an imposing fortress dating to the 12th century.
February 18, 2017 – My new tasty talk spotlights Karine Hagen, senior vice-president of Viking Cruises, which navigates a fleet of 59 river vessels in Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, and Southeast Asia as well as two ocean ships (with another vessel to launch later this month and three more planned in the near future).
January 13, 2017 – Long a hub of French culture, architecture and cuisine, Paris is undeniably one of the most romantic destinations in the world. After checking into the luxurious Paris Pullman Hotel (steps away from the Eiffel Tower), Viking River Cruise guests enjoy a comfortable afternoon bus tour with a knowledgeable local guide. The famed avenue Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, are the first of many highlights on this city tour.
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).
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 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.
