January 17, 2020 – Viking, the company that got its start plying European rivers, will splash into the Great Lakes in the summer of 2022. One of the routes on the Earth’s largest body of freshwater will shine a spotlight on Minnesota. Duluth will be among its ports of call.
January 17, 2020 – With sights set on both the farthest and the closest destinations on earth, cruise company Viking has announced a new fleet of two expedition ships. It will join the companies roving both the Arctic Circle and Antarctica and, most interestingly, pioneer new itineraries in the Great Lakes.
January 15, 2020 – Viking Cruises has just announced the launch of Viking Expeditions, an exciting new chapter in the company’s history. This new arm of the ever-expanding brand will focus on small-ship trips to Antarctica and the Great Lakes of North America.
January 15, 2020 – Viking Cruises just announced a series of new destination-focused, expedition voyages with locales that will inevitably see rapid change over the next decade and years to come. Viking Expeditions will set sail starting in January 2022 with its first vessel, Viking Octantis, embarking on voyages to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes. A second expedition vessel, Viking Polaris, will debut in August 2022, sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic.
January 15, 2020 – A big player in the cruise industry is diving into the Great Lakes market. Switzerland-based Viking, which built its name plying the rivers of Europe, is extending its reach into North America in 2022 with voyages exploring the largest surface of fresh water in the world.
January 15, 2020 – This will be the first time Viking devotees will be able to explore the Great Lakes region on the line’s modern, technologically-advanced ships. It is anticipated that these new itineraries will have a major impact on tourism and economic development in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin and in the province of Ontario in Canada.
January 15, 2020 – Viking Cruises has opened the books on a new product line: Viking Expeditions, an expedition cruise line that will set sail in 2022.
March 24, 2020 - Viking staff was there to greet me in Bergen and whisk us off to the ship. It was really upon arrival to the port that it became clear protective measures and a company protocol were put in place early. Everyone was well-prepared: a medical team took temperatures while asking health-related questions prior to boarding, the ship was exceptionally spotless, the crew were friendly and answered all questions, and there were hand sanitizer stations at nearly every turn. I felt safe in their hands.
February 25, 2020 - There’s a certain magic in sailing to Scandinavia and Russia. Your Baltic Sea voyage aboard the luxurious Viking Jupiter, the newest member of the Viking fleet, brings you to eight intriguing countries over 15 days. The Viking Homelands itinerary gives cruisers a surreal opportunity to revisit history and become immersed in the culture of Russia’s St. Petersburg, without a visa on ship-run excursions, over two days.
January 15, 2020 – Number 1: Viking Cruises earned its reputation through its affordable, destination-focused river cruises. With the debut of the Viking Star in April 2015, the line made a grand entrance into the world of ocean cruising.
January 7, 2020 – Eight months on a cruise ship — could you do it? For some, it’s an unimaginably long time at sea, while for others continuous cruising has become a way of life. For well-off and time-rich travelers, there’s a hunger not only for expeditions to novel, remote and less-accessible destinations, but also a growing interest in super-long world cruises that can last the better part of a year.
December 4, 2019 – Viking Cruises dominated the 12th annual Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards for the third year in a row with five wins in 2019.
December 2, 2019 – Book a Viking Ocean Cruise for all that it is. Love it for what it is not. No pushing drinks or other products. No sales pressure at all. Just top-notch service.
November 22, 2019 – Viking’s Ocean Cruises carry 930 peeps (max) and are classified as “small” ships -- which means you can get into harder-to-reach ports of call and see more than your mega-ship counterparts.
October 21, 2019 – Thanks to a sponsorship with Viking, fans of the show, movie, and those fabulous costumes can head to the UK for privileged, private access to Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey — home to the fictitious Crawley family on screen, and the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon in real life.
October 17, 2019 – There really is no better way to take in the natural beauty of the fjords than by sailing on them. Plus, the region is Viking’s home, so this itinerary is specially thought out and exclusive for travelers.
October 9, 2019 – Baltic-rooted and destination-focused Viking is most at home in Scandinavia, where its 14-night “Viking Homelands” voyage, aboard a quartet of sister ships, delivers a well-rounded and immersive introduction to Scandinavia and its diverse, yet interconnected, Baltic Sea ports.
October 7, 2019 – Travelers who embrace the joy of ocean cruising understand this maxim: The ease of simply unpacking once on a ship for the duration of an expansive journey is a self-nurturing luxury. A best bet for entrance is award-winning Viking Ocean Cruises, which steers six elegant 930-passenger vessels to ports on six continents, where memorable moments are curated in culture-enriching destinations.
October 3, 2019 – Viking has brought its signature Scandinavian-chic to long distance cruising. This is the longest world cruise currently offered, taking a total of 245 nights, or about eight months at sea.
September 29, 2019 – Showcased here is Heather Clancy, a cruise director at award-winning, state-of-the-art Viking Cruises, a company founded by Norwegian visionary Torstein Hagen, who first launched innovative Viking River Cruises in 1997 and then grew the game-changing Viking Ocean Cruises in 2015.
September 25, 2019 – To "Downton Abbey" fans, Highclere Castle – the fictional home of the beloved Crawleys and their staff, and the real-life home of the equally-beloved Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and their staff – is like sacred, holy land. Since the show premiered in 2010, hundreds of thousands of viewers have made the pilgrimage to England to see the grand house that’s as familiar to them as their own.
September 18, 2019 – Viking Cruises has confirmed the name of its seventh ocean ship, Viking Venus, which will join the fleet in early 2021. The line's newest 930-passenger ship is set to spend its maiden season in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, sailing popular itineraries including British Isles Explorer, In Search of the Northern Lights, Viking Homelands and Into the Midnight Sun.
September 12, 2019 – As we get closer to the movie's long-anticipated September 20 release date, a number of tour packages have been announced to get travelers to the filming sites. Viking recently announced that cruise guests can get access to Highclere Castle as part of a special Great Homes, Gardens & Gin excursion.
September 10, 2019 – When the lights finally went down in the theater, in typical film-premiere style, the audience clapped just as loud for the film’s production companies and for Viking Cruises, the series’ longtime sponsor, as they did for the Dowager Countess’s cutting zingers.
September 3, 2019 – Viking Cruises has just launched the Ultimate World Cruise, an eight-month journey that will attempt to set a Guinness world record for the "longest continuous passenger cruise."
September 2, 2019 – Viking Cruises has won numerous industry awards over the years but now, the cruise line has set its sights on achieving a Guinness World Record. When the 930-passenger Viking Sun returns to port in Greenwich (London) in eight months, it hopes to set a world record for the “longest continuous passenger cruise.”
August 7, 2019 – Take Viking's 161-day Miami to London world cruise on Viking Sun, departing December 14, 2020: You'll average just one sea day between ports, and some segments, such as Venice to Corfu, or Naples to Grenada, don't have any.
July 22, 2019 – The Viking Cruise line has quickly become the world’s most awarded cruise line on both river and sea. One of its most exciting adventures is its 13 day sea voyage from Barcelona to Venice aptly named The Mediterranean Odyssey.
July 17, 2019 – Viking Ocean Cruises took the cake in the small-ship cruise line category, winning two awards -- one each for the Baltic and the British Isles/Western Europe.
July 12, 2019 – This year, Viking Cruises unveiled a new addition to their fleet: Viking Jupiter. Take a look at the cruise line’s latest seagoing vessel, with a Scandinavian design made for an upscale ocean experience.
July 10, 2019 – Viking Cruises has topped this list since it became eligible in 2016 — it started out as a river-only line — and the addition of two new ships since this time last year, Orion and Jupiter, helped it maintain its No. 1 position.
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.
Come along with us on this seven-night Lyon and Provence journey (it’s also offered by Viking in the reverse direction), as I share my day-by-day report on a trip with mom. The itinerary explores some of France’s most beloved territory — from Lyon, the culinary capital of France, through cherished wine regions of Beaujolais and Côte Rôtie, with stops to discover 2,000-year-old architectural treasures along the way.
January 22, 2020 – Tear into fresh-baked bread, pulled from an ancient oven fueled by wood and grapevines, in one of the last old-school bakeries in tiny Favaios. In Marialva (near the Spanish border), enjoy a picnic in the castle’s shadow of this 2,500-year-old town. Since this is Viking, where experiences are everything, you’ll learn the secrets to fine Port wine-blending at a quinta, and taste wine and popular regional delicacies, like bola de carne, an irresistible bread filled with a combination of meats and smoked sausage.
When I floated the idea of sharing a week-long Viking cruise down the Danube River with my longtime pal Jayne, we conjured similar takeaways: tantalizing glimpses of fairytale castles from a sun deck lounger, the chance to visit three capital cities and five separate countries in the heart of Europe, and plenty of pastries and pretzels - both on and off the ship.
January 9, 2020 – Number 1: 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.
December 9, 2019 – Lined by castles and cathedrals, the Rhine area is best visited by river cruise because the waterway brought life, trade and culture to the region, and remains the source of much its history today. Viking’s eight-day journey between Basel and Amsterdam dazzles visitors with medieval scenery and regional cuisine.
December 4, 2019 – Viking Cruises dominated the 12th annual Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards for the third year in a row with five wins in 2019.
November 19, 2019 – If you're a guest of Viking, you’ll be able to explore the Christmas markets of Europe while on port and visit some of the most beautiful locations. This Viking fleet also provides exceptional luxury and top tier service.
November 19, 2019 – Viking touts that central docking locations in Europe get guests closer to their destinations, often docking right in the heart of a city. This makes it easy for independent exploration, which younger guests might prefer.
October 30, 2019 – Viking is seeing an increased interest from travelers with adult children throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season. Its European Christmas market itineraries are a big hit with these types of families.
October 21, 2019 – Thanks to a sponsorship with Viking, fans of the show, movie, and those fabulous costumes can head to the UK for privileged, private access to Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey — home to the fictitious Crawley family on screen, and the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon in real life.
September 20, 2019 – When you travel north by boat up the wide, calm Rhône River, you are following the route of the ancient Romans and so tracing the lifeline of French wine. Julius Caesar’s army brought wine with them, lots of it, because who wants to subdue barbarians without a little liquid courage? Then the conquerors settled and began making their own. Their vines arrived via the Rhône, too, albeit at a time when the river had no dams—those vines would have had a much wetter and bumpier ride than my own glide from Avignon to Lyon aboard the Viking Buri on the eight-day Lyon & Provence itinerary. Unlike the Romans, I had the good fortune of sleeping in a cleverly constructed stateroom, complete with a balcony from which to admire the changing landscape and time-bleached cities along the banks.
September 16, 2019 – No filming location, of course, is more heavily associated with the series than the estate that became Downton itself: Highclere Castle. And as it's the central filming location, themed tours here abound. Viking Cruises offers special access tours for its river cruise guests.
September 12, 2019 – As we get closer to the movie's long-anticipated September 20 release date, a number of tour packages have been announced to get travelers to the filming sites. Viking recently announced that cruise guests can get access to Highclere Castle as part of a special Great Homes, Gardens & Gin excursion.
September 10, 2019 – When the lights finally went down in the theater, in typical film-premiere style, the audience clapped just as loud for the film’s production companies and for Viking Cruises, the series’ longtime sponsor, as they did for the Dowager Countess’s cutting zingers.
August 19, 2019 – The Romanovs left behind a legacy of palaces and residences throughout Russia that in the following years continued to live storied and unusual lives. Take your own self-guided tour to these famous former czar residences that you can still visit in Russia today.
August 8, 2019 - Consider booking one of Viking River Cruises' excursions. Viking was a sponsor of Masterpiece, when Downton Abbey was on the air, and now, Viking has taken that partnership one step further, offering trips to Highclere Castle as an add-on to a number of their existing itineraries.
July 22, 2019 – European river cruising seems to increase in popularity every year, and trips along the Danube, Rhine, and Seine are apparently the most popular; however, I’ve just discovered a fantastic cruise, run by Viking, between Prague and Berlin, along the Elbe River. And it’s definitely worthwhile.
July 10, 2019 – Many companies on the list operate on major rivers in South Asia and Southeast Asia, and a few are also expanding into China with new ships. “If you want to see China, the Viking cruise is the way to go — great value, service, food, everything,” wrote one respondent, of this year’s fourth place cruise line.
July 8, 2019 – This 12-day Nile tour sails on the Viking Ra, a ship launched in 2018 that was specifically built for the longest river in the world. You won't spend all of your time on the ship; instead, you'll start with three days in Cairo before flying to Luxor to disembark officially. With room for just 52 travelers, this cruise offers an intimate look at Egyptian history—and plenty of face time with the on-board Egyptologists as you stop in Luxor, Edfu, Aswan, and more.
May 23, 2019 – Viking River cruises are an excellent option for retirees who want an intimate journey to smaller ports throughout the world. Guests can choose from itineraries that include exclusive destinations larger cruise ships typically cannot access, such as UNESCO world heritage sites and smaller, riverside towns throughout France, Russia, Austria, Portugal, Germany, Spain, Asia, and Egypt.
May 21, 2019 – Aboard Viking’s new luxury River ship, Viking Osiris, you will see some of the remaining wonders of the world sailing the Nile River. Though the river is beautiful, the real exploration happens when you disembark the ship.
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 19, 2019 – With christening ceremonies that spanned Germany, Portugal and Switzerland, Viking River Cruises added seven new ships to its continuously growing river fleet. A group of Viking employees, journalists, travel agents and other invited guests gathered pierside Tuesday in Basel, Switzerland, for the event, which saw two ships christened live and an additional five christened in other countries; those namings were simulcast on large screens in Basel.
March 13, 2019 – Virtually identical, the company's 190-passenger Longships possess a contemporary Scandinavian design, emphasizing natural wood, neutral hues, and windows. Enthusiasts praise the alikeness, preferring the same onboard experience wherever they go. With such uniformity, Viking cruises purr along like Bentleys.
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 5, 2019 - Viking River Cruises Passage to Eastern Europe itinerary aboard the Embla takes passengers from Bucharest to Budapest (or vice versa), stopping in your less-than-typical, but still completely spectacular, European cities – which is exactly what’s to love about this river cruise.
February 23, 2019 – Paris, Prague, Berlin, London, China, Japan and more are all exciting but different destinations today — perhaps because of the events of 75 years ago. Visiting these places with the added insight of historians and military experts can provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences, as well as memorable vacations. River cruises on Europe’s narrow waterways allow guests to understand the landscape of the countries as they pass, and shore excursions with expert guides bring history to life.
January 6, 2019 - Looking for a relaxing, yet horizon-stretching vacation that gently steers you to enchanting, enriching and entertaining destinations chock full of culture, history and nature? Add to that wish list deluxe accommodations, gourmet cuisine and attentive service by polished staff — plus no-fuss planning and booking. A best bet? River cruising. This growing travel trend is a friendly, easy way to explore the world. An industry leader, Viking River Cruises deftly navigates more than 60 Nordic-style vessels on rivers around the globe — in Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia and China — and orchestrates passengers' trips from start to finish, including air flights.
January 5, 2019 – 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, Wi-Fi, wine and beer with meals, shore excursions in every port and Viking's signature Culture Curriculum program.