offers on viking cruises

• Expeditions

River Cruises

Setting the standard for river cruising.

Ocean Cruises

A new era in ocean cruising, sign up to receive updates from viking.

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Travel Advisors
• Media Center
• Investor Relations
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• Special Offers

Special offers on all-inclusive ocean

Viking Homelands

• Request a Quote

Into the Midnight Sun

Alaska & the Inside Passage

Eastern Seaboard Explorer

In the Wake of the Vikings

Panama Canal & Central America

West Indies Explorer

Discover our ships.

Amazon & Caribbean Adventure

Ancient Mediterranean Treasures

Empires of the Mediterranean

Viking inclusive value, limited-time offers for river and expedition voyages.

River Voyages

Expedition Voyages

Sign up to receive updates from viking.

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Media Center
• Investor Relations
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Notice
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

• Already Booked?
• My Favorites
• 1.800.377.9383
• Email Deals
• Personal Quote

• Advanced Search

• Featured Cruise Deals

• Deals by Destination

• Deals by Cruise Line

• Deals by Departure Port

Last Minute Cruise Deals

Holiday Cruise Deals

Military Cruise Deals

• Family Cruise Deals

Popular Destinations

Australia/New Zealand

• Canada / New England

Popular Int'l Departure Ports

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Barcelona, Spain

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

Piraeus (Athens), Greece

Reykjavik, Iceland

Southampton, England

Stockholm, Sweden

Sydney, Australia

Vancouver, British Columbia

Venice, Italy

Popular U.S. Departure Ports

Baltimore, Maryland

Boston, Massachusetts

Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

Los Angeles, California

Miami, Florida

New York, New York

Port Canaveral, Florida

San Francisco, California

Seattle, Washington

Popular Lines

Luxury Lines

River Lines

AmaWaterways

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Avalon Waterways River Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

Celebrity Cruises

Holland America Line

MSC Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

Oceania Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises

Princess Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Royal Caribbean International

Seabourn Cruise Line

Silversea Cruises

Uniworld River Cruises

Viking Expeditions

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Land Vacations

• Cosmos Tours
• Globus Journeys
• Kensington Tours
• Tauck Tours

All-Inclusive Resorts

Cruising 101

• Free Consultation

Why Cruise?

Shore Excursions

Cruising Tips

Future Cruise Credits

Photo Galleries

Specialty Cruises

Group Cruises

Business / Incentive Cruises

Events & Meetings at Sea

Private Charters

Theme Cruises

• River Cruises

Cruise Tours

Wedding Cruises

Hosted Cruises

Family Cruises

Senior Living at Sea

News & Media

Press & News

Testimonials

Social Media

Pre-registration

Passports / Visas

Travel Protection

Why Cruise Web?

Our Approach

Low Price Guarantee

Gift Certificates

Customer Service

Not sure where to start?

Talk to a travel consultant.

Expert guidance with no booking fees!

Cruise Deals by Cruise Line & Destination

Viking oceans cruise deals.

Viking is perhaps the biggest and most recognized name in river cruising, so the company decided to take their sterling reputation and apply it to ocean cruising – thus, Viking Oceans was born. The fleet is comprised of medium sized ships, where every stateroom is a suite. But, like their river ships, the focus of Viking Oceans is on the destinations. They look to immerse their passengers in the culture of each region and port. Continue below to view our best Viking Oceans cruise deals.

A cruise with Viking Oceans promises to be a trip of a lifetime. To get the best deal and hear the latest news on Viking Oceans’ young and growing fleet, be sure to contact a Cruise Web consultant today.

Take advantage of limited-time offers and special deals

Filter Deals

Viking Oceans Alaska cruises from $4,799*

Viking Oceans Asia cruises from $4,499*

Viking Oceans Australia/New Zealand cruises from $5,999*

Viking Oceans Caribbean cruises from $3,299*

Viking Oceans European cruises from $5,198*

Viking Oceans Mediterranean cruises from $2,399*

Viking Oceans Northern Europe cruises from $3,999*

Viking Oceans South America cruises from $5,999*

Viking Oceans Transatlantic cruises from $2,999*

Viking Oceans World cruises from $54,995*

Viking Oceans Amazon cruises from $3,999*

We Make Vacation Planning Easy

With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money.

Expert guidance. No booking fees.

Find a cruise.

• All Cruise Types
• Popular Cruises
• Luxury Cruises

Vacation Deals

Destinations & ports.

• All Destinations

Cruise Lines

• Popular Cruise Lines
• Luxury Cruise Lines
• River Cruise Lines
• All Cruise Lines
• All About Cruising
• Already Booked

Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals.

• Monthly Newsletter

Empires of the Mediterranean

10 Days | 8 Guided Tours | 5 Countries

Athens (Piraeus) to Venice (Chioggia)

JULY 2024 SALE 4 DAYS ONLY

FREE International Airfare,

FREE Silver Spirits Beverage Package

Special Fares

  Offer ends Apr 7, 2024

Call 1-800-464-3595 for details

Ask for Offer " AW4 " 

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Chioggia is a charming fishing community located at the southern end of the Venetian Lagoon and steeped in age-old seafaring traditions. Its combination of canals, bridges and fishing boats have lent it the nickname “Little Venice.” Lined with shops, bars and restaurants, the main pedestrian street of Corso del Popolo exudes a lively atmosphere amid the aroma of delicious fresh seafood dishes. Chioggia shares a long history of cultural and economic ties with Venice, dating back to the Middle Ages, and is a scenic journey by water taxi from the capital of the Veneto region.

Koper boasts a rich architectural legacy that dates back to its days as a capital city under the mighty Venetian Republic. Even today, the Italian influence is strong; as this historic city is near the Italian border, Slovene and Italian are equally likely to be heard here. In Tito Square, the Venetian-Gothic Praetorian Palace stands as evidence of the city’s once great power. The 12th-century Cathedral of the Assumption is home to a bell cast in 1333, one of the country’s oldest. A climb up its tower is rewarded with splendid views of the city and the Gulf of Trieste.

Zadar, once an island separated from the mainland by a deep moat, boasts one of the region’s richest histories. For over a millennium, it was the capital of independent Dalmatia and so held great sway with Rome, Venice and other empires. Its impressive city walls attest to its might, and the bold Romanesque architecture of its three churches embodies its religious influence. A maze of cobblestone streets winds through its magnificent Old Town, a remarkable repository of red-roofed, medieval stone houses.

Dubrovnik is a historic jewel, with its spectacular Adriatic setting, 12th-century medieval streets and incredibly preserved structures. So stunning is its Old Town, the playwright George Bernard Shaw famously called it “paradise on Earth.” It is all spectacularly surrounded by a towering medieval wall. Inside, the ancient city’s Stradun is lined with authentic stone houses. The peaceful 14th-century Franciscan Monastery and Apothecary, housing the world’s oldest working pharmacy and fine collection of Renaissance paintings, provide insight into the ages.

Kotor is Montenegro's picturesque capital set amid glorious mountains and dramatic scenery. Towering cliffs soar above the narrow Kotor  ria —a submerged river canyon often called Europe’s southernmost fjord. Kotor is also home to one of the Adriatic’s best-preserved medieval Old Towns. The charms of this red-roofed city are endless, from the mismatched towers of its Romanesque cathedral to its narrow streets. Its stunning Venetian walls were built in 1420, remnants from Kotor’s nearly 300 years as a province of the Venetian Republic.

Corfu has a rich history shaped by conquerors and by royalty seeking tranquility. Corfu’s Old Town and Fortress—fashioned by the once powerful Venetian Republic—comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its narrow warrens lead to one of Europe’s largest public squares and a lovely promenade once exclusively reserved for the local aristocracy. Everywhere, magnificent coastal views unfold and scenic byways lead to history-rich enclaves, from the archaeological site of Paleopolis and the stunning Vlacherna Monastery to a former Greek royal villa.

Katakolon is huddled around a pretty little harbor dotted with colorful fishing boats. Nearby, the fertile valleys of the western Peloponnese are a bounty of olive groves, vineyards and orchards, and lead to the legendary city of Olympia. The well-kept ruins here transport visitors back to the days of the earliest athletes who competed for nothing less than the favor of the gods. The remains evoke the glory of the Games, and the Olympia Archaeological Museum features statues that once overlooked the site.

Santorini is one of the most visually arresting islands in the Aegean. Its whitewashed capital of Thíra perches on a cliff 1,300 feet above the sea, offering spectacular views of this magnificent city and surrounding turquoise waters. Thíra’s winding streets are a delight to explore and its charming cafés invite lingering respites in the Cyclades sun. Not to be upstaged, the island and its surrounding islets also offer opportunities to experience fully the natural volcanic splendor, from thermal spring soaks to caldera hikes.

Athens has been called the “birthplace of democracy.” Its legacy looms large from atop Acropolis Hill, the pinnacle of ancient Greece. This open air museum is an astonishing repository of once-mighty structures. From its colonnaded Parthenon—more than 2,600 years ago—revered Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle formulated new ideas of government and debated its role in civic life to captivated audiences. Remnants of spiritual life are also here in the several temples to Athena and Zeus.

For a more intimate experience of Athens, the charming Plaka District invites guests with its labyrinth of cobblestone lanes. Neoclassical architecture lines the narrow streets of the “Neighborhood of the Gods,” so named for its location. Browsing its shops or simply perusing its nooks and crannies are pastimes favored by visitors and locals alike. This historic area is the ideal setting in which to enjoy traditional small plates of mezes and a sip of ouzo. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.

Air Pricing

Prices are per person for featured departures.

Airfare offers valid on all N. American gateways except Alaska, Hawaii, San Juan and Mexico City.

Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C. Many additional gateways available, air fares may vary; call for details.

FREE International Airfare

Offer valid on bookings made from Apr 4 to Apr 7, 2024. Free International airfare plus complimentary Silver Spirits Beverage Package & special fares valid on select Jul 2024 departures of Empires of the Mediterranean . Call for details. Prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Air does not have to be purchased to get cruise/tour offer. All fares reflect cruise taxes, port taxes and fees. Additional restrictions may apply. Airfares vary on other itineraries, gateways and departures. Air offers not valid on Alaska, Hawaii, San Juan and Mexico City; call for details. Book by Apr 7, 2024. Pay in full by May 31, 2024 or at time of booking if sailing departs within 120 days. Offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Offer expires Apr 7, 2024.

Learn more about Viking

Reinventing ocean cruising.

© Viking Cruises,

All rights reserved.

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• Special Offers

Book online or call for details

Châteaux, Rivers & Wine

• Request a Quote

Grand European Tour

Rhine Getaway

Danube Waltz

Lyon & Provence

Elegant Elbe

Tulips & Windmills

Discover our ships.

Portugal’s River of Gold

Douro’s Valleys & Vineyards

A Tale of Three Rivers

Viking inclusive value, limited-time offers for ocean and expedition voyages.

Ocean Voyages

Expedition Voyages

Sign up to receive updates from viking.

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Media Center
• Investor Relations
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Notice
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

The ultimate guide to Viking cruise ships and itineraries

Some cruise lines try to be all things to all people. Viking isn't one of them.

Since its founding in 1997, the upscale cruise brand has carved out a niche catering to a certain type of thoughtful, inquisitive, generally older traveler looking to explore the world and learn a thing or two along the way.

Most Viking customers are approaching their retirement years — or are already there — and they're eager to finally see all the places they didn't have time to visit when raising kids and establishing careers in their younger years.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

For this subset of travelers, Viking offers a wide range of both ocean and river cruise itineraries that have a heavy focus on the destinations visited. These aren't cruises where it's all about the ship.

Viking voyages bring a lot of extended stays in ports where passengers get more time to explore historical sites and experience the local culture than is typical on cruises. Unlike most lines, Viking offers included-in-the-fare tours in every port, allowing every passenger on board to get a guided experience during stops without having to pay extra. (In general, Viking voyages are highly inclusive, in keeping with its "no nickel-and-diming" philosophy.)

On board, Viking's programming revolves heavily around what the line calls "cultural enrichment" — lectures by experts on topics related to the places its ships visit, as well as cultural and culinary offerings that often have a local tie-in.

What Viking ships don't offer is a lot of onboard amusements aimed at families and younger travelers. In fact, the line doesn't even allow children under the age of 18 on its ships. It's one of the only major cruise brands in the world with such a rule.

Viking ships also don't cater to the party crowd. If it's a floating celebration you're looking for in a vacation, this isn't the line for you.

As Viking founder Torstein Hagen likes to say, a Viking cruise is the "thinking person's cruise, not the drinking person's cruise."

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

3 things TPG loves about Viking

• Its focus is on destinations and enrichment.
• The elegant, Scandinavian-influenced design of its ships.
• Its "no nickel-and-diming" philosophy.

What we could do without

• The lack of fitness centers on Viking river ships.

The Viking fleet

Viking has more ships than any other major cruise brand in the world, more than 90 in all. It also has both ocean ships and river ships — something that is unusual among major lines. Despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

That's because the vast majority of Viking's ocean vessels are carbon copies of each other. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. Ditto for the line's river vessels.

Viking currently operates 11 ocean ships, nine of which are nearly identical. The exceptions are two recently unveiled Viking ocean vessels specifically designed for expedition cruising — a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft.

The nine nearly identical ocean ships — Viking Saturn, Viking Neptune, Viking Mars, Viking Venus, Viking Jupiter, Viking Orion, Viking Sky, Viking Sea and Viking Star — began rolling out in 2015. Each has the capacity for 930 passengers. Six more nearly identical vessels are scheduled to debut between 2024 and 2028, and Viking has options with a shipyard to order four more of the ships for delivery in 2029 and 2030.

At 47,800 tons, these ocean ships are less than a fourth the size of the giant megaships being built by the likes of Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, in keeping with Viking's focus on intimate, upscale voyages. Big floating resorts, they aren't.

Note that there is one more vessel in this same series, called Zhao Shang Yi Dun, that has been permanently transferred to a joint venture that operates for the China market. When it debuted in 2017, it originally catered to the North American market and was called Viking Sun.

Viking's two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, are smaller than the above vessels, as is typical for expedition ships, and carry 378 passengers at maximum occupancy.

Then there are the river ships. At last count, Viking had 80 river ships in its fleet — an astounding number that is the result of blistering growth over the past decade. (As recently as 2012, the line operated just 29 river ships.)

As noted above, almost all of Viking's river ships are of the same basic design and are known as the Longships — a reference to the historic vessels used by Vikings in the Middle Ages.

Most Viking Longships are 443 feet long, the perfect length to fit into the locks on many of Europe's rivers. Viking has also built slightly shorter versions of the Longships measuring 262 feet, 361 feet or 410 feet in length specifically to sail on rivers where lock sizes or other navigational factors require a smaller vessel. The 410-foot-long versions of the vessels, for instance, were specifically built to be able to sail into the heart of Paris on the Seine River.

While most Viking river ships are Longships, there are a few exceptions in the Viking river fleet. Viking operates several smaller, purpose-built vessels on the Nile River in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. It also has several older river vessels that predate the Longships that operated in Russia and Ukraine until recently. (For now, river cruise itineraries in both countries are on hold due to the Ukraine war.)

Viking also recently began sailings on the Mississippi River with a new ship specifically designed for the river and its tributaries.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

Destinations and itineraries

Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line, mostly due to the fact that it operates both ocean cruises and river cruises.

Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note.

You'll find Viking river ships operating on the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also operated cruises on the Volga in Russia and the Dnieper in Ukraine. (As noted above, sailings on the latter two rivers are on hold due to the war in Ukraine and may not resume for many years.)

Viking also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, and it recently began trips on the Mississippi River.

The line's ocean ships can be found in nearly every ocean and sea around the world, from North America to Europe and Asia.

Viking's ocean ships have a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which the line considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) It's also a big player in the Mediterranean. You'll find Viking's ocean ships in other key cruise destinations as well, such as Alaska, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, Canada and New England, South America, Asia and Australia.

In addition, in early 2022, the line began its first cruises to Antarctica with its first expedition ship, Viking Octantis. That summer, the same vessel launched the line's first voyages in the Great Lakes — a destination that only a handful of cruise operators visit.

You'll find everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages among the line's voyages.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking ship

Who sails Viking

Most Viking passengers are North Americans who are approaching retirement age or already retired. The company's core market is people who range in age from 55 to 75 years, although it does draw some passengers who are younger or older.

In general, it's an educated crowd, with many passengers coming from professional backgrounds or a life of running their own businesses. They're often people who have spent years focused on work and building up savings for retirement, and they're finally ready to start enjoying the fruits of their labor by spending some of the savings on travel to places they've long put off visiting.

They're also people who can afford a relatively high-end vacation experience. While Viking doesn't market itself as a luxury line, some would call it that. Viking vessels are full of luxury touches, with the pricing to match (see more on what Viking trips cost at the bottom of this story).

In general, you'll find a lot of couples on Viking ships and some solo travelers. You'll also find the occasional multigenerational group — a retired couple traveling with their working-age adult children, for instance.

However, unlike nearly every other cruise brand, what you won't find are families with young kids. As noted above, Viking doesn't allow passengers under the age of 18 on its ships — a key differentiator for the brand as compared to other cruise lines.

Cabins and suites

Is a balcony something you can't live without when staying in a cabin on a cruise ship? Viking could be your line.

Viking is one of the only cruise brands in the world that offers a balcony with every cabin on every ocean ship it operates — even the least expensive, smallest cabins. That's something that even the most upscale of Viking's ocean cruise rivals including Oceania Cruises , Azamara , Seabourn , Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises can't say.

Viking's ocean ships also offer a large number of suites, many of which are quite spacious. Even the smallest cabins on Viking's ocean ships are large by cruise ship standards at 270 square feet, and the largest suites measure nearly 1,500 square feet.

If you're looking for a big open room on an ocean cruise (and are willing to pay for it), Viking offers you plenty of options.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking cabins and suites

Viking also offers lots of balcony cabins and suites on its river ships, something that isn't always the case in the river cruise business, where space on vessels is at a premium. Unlike its ocean ships, Viking's river ships aren't all-balcony-cabin vessels.

Designwise, Viking cabins and suites across all categories are modern and elegant in an understated sort of way, with Scandinavian-influenced furnishings and decor that tie to the Norwegian heritage of the company's founder.

You'll find beds topped with crisp, white duvets and Scandinavian throws, comfortable contemporary sofas and chairs in neutral tones, and light-wood desks and side tables that combine to offer a residential feel in bedroom areas. Soothing, minimalist colors — think creams, grays and lighter blues — are the order of the day.

Bathrooms in Viking cabins are serene, modernist escapes with luxurious travertine-lined walls, Scandinavian-influenced wood-veneered vanities, shiny white sinks and chrome fixtures.

In keeping with the high-end nature of the brand, Viking cabins and suites have a lot of upscale touches, from sumptuous bedding that envelops you to heated floors in bathrooms. The rooms aren't overly flashy, though.

What they are is eminently functional, with storage in all the right places, lots of outlets for charging your devices and lighting right where you need it. We love the reading lights built into the fabric headboards, which are in addition to the lamps on bedside tables. You won't have trouble seeing the pages of the Viking Daily activity newsletter while lying in a Viking cabin bed.

Other little touches in Viking cabins that show a line thinking about functionality as much as decor include the large and clear lettering on the Freyja toiletries that you'll find in every Viking cabin bathroom. The toiletries were specifically designed with bigger and clearer lettering than is common for toiletries on cruise ships and at hotels so that the line's older customers would have no trouble differentiating the body wash from the body lotion and shampoo.

Restaurants and dining

The number of restaurants and other dining options that you'll find on Viking ships will vary greatly depending on whether you are sailing on an ocean or a river ship.

All of Viking's oceangoing ships, which are much bigger than its river ships, have at least four and usually more outlets serving food of some sort.

Every one of the line's 930-passenger ocean ships has a main restaurant (called, simply, The Restaurant) with rotating menus that include dishes that tie to the destination where the vessel is sailing. There also are casual buffet eateries called World Cafe on every vessel. You'll probably eat most of your meals in one of these eateries.

The main restaurants on these ships are notable for their walls of glass that can slide open to create al fresco dining, something that is unusual in the cruise world.

Each of the 930-passenger ocean ships also has two smaller restaurants with specialized cuisine: Manfredi's, a high-end Italian eatery, and The Chef's Table, which offers a five-course tasting menu themed around a specific cuisine that changes every few days.

There's no extra charge for dining in the smaller restaurants, but reservations are required. Each passenger is only allowed to make one to three reservations per cruise at the eateries, depending on which category of cabin they have booked.

Viking's bigger ocean ships also have poolside grills that serve made-to-order gourmet hamburgers and other grill items. Passengers can grab a snack — with a Norwegian twist — at the forward-facing lounges atop the ships, which are home to a small food counter called Mamsen's. Named after Viking founder Torstein Hagen's mother (Ragnhild "Mamsen" Hagen), it offers authentic tastes of Norway such as traditional heart-shaped waffles, specialty cakes and the brown goat cheese that is found around the country.

Passengers will also find finger sandwiches, scones and teas in the afternoon at the glass-topped Wintergarden lounge at the top of every vessel.

The line's smaller expedition ocean ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, offer four of the above venues: The Restaurant, World Cafe, Manfredi's and Mamsen's.

Viking's river ships, by contrast, typically offer just two eateries: a main restaurant where passengers eat most of their meals and a smaller, casual buffet with indoor and outdoor seating.

Fun fact: The Manfredi's restaurants on Viking ocean ships are named after former Silversea Cruises owner Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, a friend of Viking founder Torstein Hagen. Some Silversea ships, in turn, have lounge areas named after Hagen.

Entertainment and activities

Many of the activities on board Viking's ocean ships revolve around "cultural enrichment," to use a phrase often used by Viking executives. On any given day, you might find an expert on one of the destinations you're visiting lecturing in the theater, or a classical musician performing in the central atrium, known as The Living Room. The ships also offer some traditional entertainment, including production shows with singers and dancers.

On the line's river ships, you'll also find onboard lectures, usually related to the destinations the ships are visiting, as well as destination-related demonstrations and tastings. (On a Seine River voyage, you might have a tasting of local French cheeses or French wines, for instance).

You'll also find live piano music in the evenings in river ship lounges.

Theaters, lounges and shows

Each of the line's ocean ships has a theater at its front that is home to production shows, movie showings (with fresh popcorn available) and enrichment lecturers.

In keeping with Viking's focus on cultural immersion, lecturers often have expertise related to the places you'll be visiting on your sailing. The line also draws a wide range of interesting and accomplished people from all walks of life to serve as guest lecturers, including well-known academics, diplomats and even astronauts.

In addition to the theater, a secondary lounge space on the ships called Torshavn is home to musical entertainment at night. It's also known for an extensive collection of Armagnacs, with one from almost every year of the past eight decades. (A fun game is to try the Armagnac from your birth year. Just be careful — some years are far more expensive than others.)

You'll also find musicians including pianists and guitar players performing at times in the Viking Living Room — a three-deck-high, atrium-like space at the center of the ship. Filled with comfortable seating areas and home to a bar, the Viking Living Room serves as a central meeting point for passengers throughout the day and night. It's also home to the ship's Explorers' Desk — the equivalent of a guest relations area on other ships.

There's also live music at night in the Explorers' Lounge, a two-deck-high observation lounge and bar area at the very top of the ship. The Explorers' Lounge also is home to Mamsen's, the food counter serving tastes of Norway mentioned above.

The pool deck and other venues

The centerpiece of the top deck of each of Viking's ocean ships is the main pool area, which is home to a pool, hot tub and rows of lounge chairs, as well as comfortable seating areas.

The entire main pool area is covered with a glass magrodome that can be opened on short notice on warm and sunny days — or closed if the ship encounters inclement weather.

Just behind the main pool area on each of the ocean ships is a lovely, glass-topped lounge with comfortable seating called the Wintergarden that is home to afternoon tea. A den of serenity, it's one of our favorite places on these vessels.

A secondary pool area with an infinity pool is at the back of each of the ships.

Other interior spaces that are part of the ocean ships include a stylish spa with a thermal suite area that is open to all passengers at no extra charge (something that is not common on cruise vessels) and a fitness center.

Note that Viking river ships do not have fitness centers, which is relatively unusual for river ships. Viking has long argued that few of its customers use fitness centers and the space that would be devoted to one is better used for other things. However, if you're fitness-obsessed, Viking river ships may not be the best choice for your river trip.

Related: The 12 cruise ships with the most spectacular attractions at sea

Children's program

Viking does not allow children under the age of 18 on its vessels and thus has no children's programs on any of its vessels.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

Viking operates international itineraries where a passport is required. Passports must be valid for at least six months. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Viking adds an automatic service gratuity (which it calls a "hotel and dining charge") of $17 per person per day to final bills, depending on your cabin category. If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount before disembarking at the Explorers' Desk. (You can also increase the tip amount if so desired.) Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars and for drinks at restaurants.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship

As part of Viking's "no nickel-and-diming" philosophy, the line offers free Wi-Fi service to passengers on all its ships throughout sailings. Note that internet service can be slow at times of heavy use, as is typical on cruise vessels. In addition, in order to ensure fair usage for all, the line limits some heavy-bandwidth applications, downloads and software upgrades.

Related: Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board

Carry-on drinks policy

Unlike many lines, Viking allows you to bring your own wine, Champagne, beer and liquor onto ships at embarkation with no limits. The line also doesn't charge a corkage fee.

Smoking policy

On all ships, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas. It's forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

Some Viking ships, including all of the line's ocean vessels (including its one expedition vessel), have self-serve launderettes on cabin decks with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. The launderettes are stocked with detergent for the washing machines that, unlike on many cruise ships with launderettes, do not come with an extra cost.

In addition, most Viking vessels offer laundry and pressing services. Such services are complimentary for passengers staying in certain categories of cabins. Otherwise, fees are comparable to what you'll pay cleaners at home. Dry cleaning is available on the line's ocean ships but not on Viking river ships.

Viking's recently unveiled Mississippi River ship offers self-service launderettes but no send-out laundry and pressing service.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

All of the line's vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets in rooms as well as European-style, 220-volt outlets and USB ports in cabins.

The currency used on Viking ships is U.S. dollars.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on Viking ships.

During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, a short-sleeve shirt and shorts are just fine.

Evenings have an official dress code, but it's not too formal. The line asks passengers to keep things "elegant casual" when heading to any of the ship's dining venues, performances or special events. To Viking, that means a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women, and trousers and a collared shirt for men. A tie and jacket for men are optional. Jeans are not permitted.

This evening dress code is not enforced at the casual World Cafe eateries on Viking ocean ships, where passengers can go even more casual in the evenings.

Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Viking cruise loyalty program

Viking doesn't have a loyalty program in the traditional sense — one where passengers earn points every time they travel with the brand and progress through multiple tiers that bring an ever-expanding array of perks. However, it does offer a few basic perks for past guests.

Once you travel with the brand for the first time, you will automatically be enrolled in the Viking Explorer Society. As part of this society, you will receive:

• A credit of $200 per passenger anytime you book a Viking voyage within one year of your last Viking voyage. If you reserve within two years, you receive a $100 credit.
• An invitation to a members-only Viking Explorer Society cocktail party when sailing on Viking ships.
• Early word by email or regular mail on new Viking Cruises itineraries and new ships, as well as special limited-time offers.

Note that the credits mentioned above cannot always be combined with promotions the line offers.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking's cruise loyalty program

How much does a Viking cruise cost?

Viking sailings aren't inexpensive. Ten-night "Greek Odyssey" voyages to the Greek Islands start at $3,999 per person. That works out to roughly $800 per day for a couple sharing a room. Some of the line's more exotic sailings, such as its expedition trips to Antarctica, cost even more. Fourteen-night Antarctica trips start at $13,995 per person — about $2,000 per day for a couple.

Related: 6 ways to travel to Antarctica in luxury and style

Still, as is typical for cruise lines at the high end, Viking includes a lot in its base price. In addition to a room on board and all meals, the fares include beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; specialty coffees, teas and bottled water around the clock; shipboard Wi-Fi; and (perhaps most notably) a shore excursion in every port. The latter is something relatively few lines roll into their base fares, and shore excursions can be expensive.

Viking also includes access to the thermal areas of its spa in its base fares. Such access almost always comes with an extra charge on cruise vessels.

Viking fares do include port taxes and fees, which can add up to hundreds of dollars per sailing. Most other lines do not include port taxes and fees in their base fares and add them later in the booking process.

Note that Viking does charge extra for two key things that many luxury lines such as Silversea, Seabourn and Regent do not: alcoholic drinks at bars and gratuities. This is one reason some cruisers do not consider Viking at quite the same level as those other brands.

How to book

If you're sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to Viking.com and book directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we always recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.

A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. An agent can also help you if something goes wrong before, during or after your voyage.

If you're sure that Viking is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all of the line's many itineraries in detail and, preferably, has sailed on or at least inspected some of the line's vessels, too, to understand the various cabin types and onboard amenities.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card spending when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , which offers 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel (and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining).

Bottom line

Viking can be defined as much by what it isn't as what it is. It's not a line for families with young children. It's not a line that offers megaships topped with every sort of amusement known to humans. And it's not a line for the party crowd.

What it is is a line that has focused very specifically on "thinking person's cruises" that offer a deeper dive into the destinations that its ships visit than is typical at many lines. It's all about exploring the world and doing so in comfort.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Find viking river cruise deals.

For expert cruise advice, call 1-800-916-8586.

Travelers in the cabin

Best Viking River Cruises cruise deals

7 night Caribbean

Find the best Viking River cruise

Why should i book a viking river cruise.

If you're looking for an unforgettable vacation, Viking River cruises are a perfect choice. Viking River is one of the best cruise lines in the industry, with a successful history of providing excellent service and luxurious experiences. The Viking River cruise vacations take you to some of the world's most beautiful and fascinating destinations. They’re sure to have features to please everyone in your group.

How to find the best Viking River cruise deals?

There are many different Viking River cruise deals to choose from depending on your destination and the experiences you would most like to enjoy. These deals let you include additional features for a lower price to make your vacation even more comfortable. You can find the best deals by searching for your destinations, and filtering by your desired cruise lines. This way only the companies you wish to travel with will appear. You can also sort your results by price and length of time.

How to choose your cruise with Viking River?

If you want to book aViking River cruise there are plenty of amazing Viking River cruise deals available. Add your destination, cruise vacation, and number of travelers. Then you can sort your results by price, duration, and departure date. You can also filter by cruise line, cruise ship and cabin type. You’ll find different amenities to suit your vacation needs on each Viking River cruise. For example, youth programs, fitness facilities, and spa facilities.

What do I need to look out for when booking a Viking River cruise?

When booking your 2025 Viking River cruise it’s important to consider a few practical tips. Check what the cost covers, and what you may need to budget for or need insurance for. Think about any amenities or onboard service you’ll require, depending on the length of the Viking River cruise. For example, youth programs, entertainment, fitness facilities, spa facilities, and room service. Secondly, research the weather conditions for your journey and destination. In some locations, summer and winter weather can vary a lot. Another tip is to go over the ship layout to see where you’d like to pick a cabin. Don’t forget to check visa requirements and any flight logistics.

When is the best time to book a Viking River cruise?

You can book a Viking River cruise as early as you like depending on availability. There’s a higher chance of finding cheaper Viking River cruise prices by booking between 6 months to 12 months in advance. But there are also lots of last-minute cruise deals closer to your preferred departure date, but this will depend on your flexibility.

Are last minute deals available with Viking River?

Yes, you can find last-minute Viking River cruises on Expedia. Add your travel dates to the cruise finder and sort your results to find the best price available. Cruise deal discounts are indicated by a green box above the Viking River cruise price.

How do I book a cruise with Viking River?

To book a Viking River cruise on Expedia select your Viking River destination and filter by cruise line. You can also browse our extensive selection of pre-selected cruise deals and find the perfect cruise for you. Once you have found the one you want, choose your dates and the port of departure. You can also refine your search by cabin experiences, or cruise ship. Each ship will have amenities to suit your needs including room service, spa facilities, and fitness facilities.

Is Viking River great value for money?

Viking River cruises are excellent value for money if you're looking for an enjoyable and relaxing cruise vacations. A Viking River cruise offers a high standard of service, a great selection of dining, modern amenities, friendly staff, and exciting activities. The exceptional quality of the experience is worth the price.

Can I cancel a Viking River cruise booking?

Yes, you can cancel your Viking River cruise. We all have unfortunate circumstances where we need to cancel a booking, so Expedia makes it easy to do so. All you have to do is head to your My Trips page on Expedia and click on the cancellation button. Another option is to contact customer service, where you’ll receive help with cancelling. Do make sure that you’re aware of the refund policy that applied to your booking, to see if you’re entitled to a full refund.

Viking River Cruise Guide

Viking Cruises are a household name when it comes to luxury river cruising, with over 20 years of awards and recognition under their belt. Viking's large fleet of over 70 ships and counting sail to a large variety of itineraries in Europe, Russia, Egypt, China and more. Onboard you’ll be treated to an all-inclusive experience, with complimentary Wi-Fi access, coffees, teas, as well as complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with gourmet meals by Swiss-trained chefs. Enjoy guided shore excursions and in-depth tours, or sightsee on your own, with plenty of time allocated for independent activities. Viking’s innovative ships offer a variety of larger-than-average suites and intricate Scandinavian design made with guest comfort in mind.

Viking River Ships

• Viking Vali
• Viking Sigyn
• Viking Einar
• Viking Herja
• Viking Hild
• Viking Jarl
• Viking Atla
• Viking Gersemi
• Viking Torgil
• Viking Alsvin
• Viking Ingvi
• Viking Astrild
• Viking Beyla
• Viking Gefjon
• Viking Lofn
• Viking Mimir
• Viking Modi
• Viking Vidar
• Viking Kara
• Viking Hlin
• Viking Alruna
• Viking Egil
• Viking Kadlin
• Viking Osfrid
• Viking Skirnir
• Viking Kari
• Viking Radgrid
• Viking Osiris
• Viking Skaga
• Viking Fjorgyn
• Viking Rinda
• Viking Buri
• Viking Delling
• Viking Hermod
• Viking Kvasir
• Viking Embla
• Viking Prestige
• Viking Rurik
• Viking Truvor

More Cruise Lines to Explore

• AmaWaterways
• Avalon Waterways
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Costa Cruise Lines
• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Disney Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Seabourn Cruise Line
• Uniworld River Cruises
• Viking Ocean Cruises

Get expert advice

• 1-866-403-9848
• Request a consultation

Terms & Conditions

Fuel supplement may apply. Savings advertised are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates, and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings.

• Viking Ocean

Where to get a "promotional code" for Viking Ocean

By benel204 , September 19, 2023 in Viking Ocean

Recommended Posts

We are possibly going to book our first ever Viking tour (an ocean cruise Med Odyssey May 2024), booking directly with Viking.

However, I am not pleased that the ~$16K expense would not even include gratuities or any beverage package (not that we are heavy consumers).

In reading through various resources, it looks like having a "promotional code" would help us to reduce the cost or get onboard credit, possibly both.

Does anyone have more insight on where/how to get a promotional code or onboard credit or both? 

We were excited about the itinerary, but the other cruise lines (and booking through Costco Travel) are now feeling like a better value.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

Here is a long thread where folks have been posting the Promo codes as they find them. Have a look at the end for the most recent offers.  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2863068-post-viking-promos/page/38/#comment-66092365

People also report that you can book directly with Viking, then transfer to a travel agency and receive any OBC offered by the TA. 

Clay Clayton

On 9/19/2023 at 4:49 PM, benel204 said: Hello, We are possibly going to book our first ever Viking tour (an ocean cruise Med Odyssey May 2024), booking directly with Viking. However, I am not pleased that the ~$16K expense would not even include gratuities or any beverage package (not that we are heavy consumers). In reading through various resources, it looks like having a "promotional code" would help us to reduce the cost or get onboard credit, possibly both.   Does anyone have more insight on where/how to get a promotional code or onboard credit or both?    We were excited about the itinerary, but the other cruise lines (and booking through Costco Travel) are now feeling like a better value.        

Promo codes usually come in emails from Viking and the thread noted above is the only place I am aware that collects them.  It's proved helpful to me and others.   

It appears to me that Viking offers promo codes when a particular cruise hasn't sold as expected.  Timing for this is difficult (impossible) to predict. IF there is a particular cruise you want to take and you can only take it at a particular time, it's unlikely a promo will work for you. For example, we had been watching and waiting for a promo in the Route of Marco Polo (which never appeared) but last spring a promo for the Hong Kong to Bangkok cruise appeared that offered free air, silver spirits, and an upgraded category.  We decided it was a good deal and jumped on it.  Unfortunately that cruise was cancelled (and the Marco Polo one never had a promo that we saw).   

Regarding your second question, to  maximize your value, you may want to find a travel agent that provides the maximum kickback of their commission that Viking allows-$150pp on cruises up to 7 nights, $300pp on 8-14 night cruises, and $500pp on cruises of 15 nights or more. This is enough to cover the daily service charge/gratuities and leave a little left over for the bar tab. 🍸 . Not all travel agents provide this maximum value. You can book directly and the. transfer to an agent if you wish. My agent says it has to be transferred within 30 days but others have reported that it can happen within 60.  When we do it we always do it almost immediately after booking online or on the phone. 

The Other Tom

1 hour ago, Clay Clayton said: When we do it we always do it almost immediately after booking online or on the phone. 

Just curious, it you're going to transfer the booking immediately, why not just book with the TA?

1 hour ago, The Other Tom said: Just curious, it you're going to transfer the booking immediately, why not just book with the TA?

Sometimes the promos come out (or I don't see them anyway) until the weekend and rather than risk not getting it booked, I'll go online and book it and then send the booking number to our TA.  

10 hours ago, Clay Clayton said: Sometimes the promos come out (or I don't see them anyway) until the weekend and rather than risk not getting it booked, I'll go online and book it and then send the booking number to our TA.  

Gotcha, thanks

Thank you all for the information about finding a TA who might be able to offer a promotional code or onboard credit.

Anyone have a TA to recommend?

38 minutes ago, benel204 said: Thank you all for the information about finding a TA who might be able to offer a promotional code or onboard credit. Anyone have a TA to recommend?

No, because it’s against the posting rules on CC.

Ah, thanks LIndaS272 -- I hadn't thought about that.

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 10 hours ago

LauraS · Started 12 hours ago

LauraS · Started Thursday at 06:25 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 03:59 PM

LauraS · Started Tuesday at 05:03 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures

Special offers on all-inclusive river voyages

Grand European Tour

• Request a Quote

Rhine Getaway

Danube Waltz

Romantic Danube

Paris to the Swiss Alps

Cities of Light

NEW! Rhine & Main Explorer

Lyon & Provence

Paris & the Heart of Normandy

Pharaohs & Pyramids

Limited-time offers for ocean and expedition voyages.

Ocean Voyages

Expedition Voyages

Sign up to receive updates from viking.

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Special Offers
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Advisors
• Media Center
• Investor Relations
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking cruise ship

MSN has partnered with The Points Guy for our coverage of credit card products. MSN and The Points Guy may receive a commission from card issuers.

Fast-growing Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line.

Not only does the California-based company offer ocean cruises in almost every corner of the world, it also offers river cruises on many of the world’s major rivers.

That’s notably different from most cruise lines. Typically, cruise lines operate either ocean cruises or river cruises but not both. That gives them a smaller range of itineraries.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note, from the Douro in Portugal to (until recently) the Volga in Russia.

The company also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Southeast Asia, and it just began river trips on the Mississippi River .

There are 80 river ships in Viking’s fleet — an astounding number. None of its main competitors among river lines catering to North Americans, which include Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and AmaWaterways , have anywhere near that number of vessels.

Related: First look at Viking’s stylish new Nile River ship

Among ocean cruise destinations, Viking has a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which it considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) However, you’ll find Viking’s nine traditional ocean ships everywhere from North America to Asia and Australia.

Last year, the line began cruising to Antarctica with its first expedition ship — a type of vessel built specifically for travel to remote, hard-to-reach places. Viking now has two such vessels.

Among the line’s voyages, there’s everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages.

Overwhelmed with choices? Here are the five best Viking cruise destinations where the line can truly offer you a memorable vacation.

Scandinavia and Northern Europe

Some of Viking’s most interesting itineraries are around Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, with many beginning or ending in Norway — the homeland of the company’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen.

As Hagen once told me, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea are what the company considers “Viking country” — a region where it wants to dominate.

During summers, in particular, Viking devotes an unusually large number of its ships to itineraries around Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and other Northern Europe destinations such as Iceland. Many, notably, use the relatively small but famously scenic Norwegian city of Bergen (population 286,000) as a gateway, something no other line is doing. That allows for unusual variations on the typical Baltic Sea or Norwegian fjords cruise.

The line’s most popular route in the region, “Viking Homelands,” is a two-week-long, one-way trip between Bergen and Stockholm that combines several days of exploring the fjord region of Norway’s west coast with more-typical Baltic cruise destinations such as St. Petersburg, Russia, and Helsinki.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Note that, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Viking has pulled the St. Petersburg stop, as well as stops in Finland and Estonia from the Viking Homelands itinerary; the trips instead feature extra stops in Norway and Denmark. It’s unlikely St. Petersburg will return to the itinerary until the war in Ukraine is resolved.

Viking also offers a 14-night itinerary that includes several stops in the northernmost part of the country above the Arctic Circle. Dubbed “Into the Midnight Sun,” the one-way route between Bergen and London is unique because it combines calls in far-north Honningsvag and Tromso, Norway, with visits to Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands. Though part of the United Kingdom, these archipelagos have ties to Norwegian and Viking history.

Itineraries that will take you from Bergen to Iceland or even as far away as France, Portugal and Spain also are available.

Viking’s Scandinavia and Northern Europe trips range widely in length from just seven nights to a whopping 28 nights.

Among the longest sailings that Viking offers that include calls in Northern Europe are one-way, 28-night voyages between Bergen and New York City. The trips include stops in Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada.

In Northern Europe, Viking ships mostly sail out of Bergen, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London as well as Reykjavik.

The Mediterranean

Viking has grown into a major player in Mediterranean sailings, with more than 30 distinct itineraries that include stops in the region.

The trips include voyages focused specifically on the Western Mediterranean or Eastern Mediterranean and some that include stops across both areas.

Typical of the latter is the line’s 14-night “Mediterranean Antiquities” routing, a one-way trip between Athens and Barcelona that stops in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Monaco, France and Spain.

More-focused Mediterranean itineraries include the line’s nine-night “Empires of the Mediterranean” voyages between Venice and Athens, which mostly concentrate on stops along the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea in Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.

In the Mediterranean, the line’s main hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens), Greece; and Istanbul.

Related: The complete guide to Viking cabins and suites  

Europe riverways

Viking is, quite simply, the giant of river cruising in Europe — at least among lines that cater to English speakers. The company operates around 70 river ships on a broad swath of the continent’s rivers — far more than any other river line catering to North Americans.

In all, the line accounts for about half of all river cruises taken by North Americans in the region. The next biggest player in Europe river cruises for North Americans, AmaWaterways, is less than half the size.

Among the rivers in Europe where Viking has a major presence are the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also offered cruises on the Dnieper River in Ukraine. The voyages have been suspended since Russia invaded the country in early 2022.

On nearly all of the rivers, the line offers multiple itineraries with lengths ranging from seven nights to as many as 22 nights.

Among 10 different itineraries on the Rhine River alone, offerings range from a seven-night “Rhine Getaway” from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, to a 22-night “European Sojourn” from Amsterdam to Bucharest, Romania. The latter adds travel on the Main and Danube rivers to days on the Rhine.

Viking offers some of the most intimate and elegant cruises on the Nile, with three ships including the recently unveiled, 82-passenger Viking Osiris — one of our favorite vessels on the river.

All three of Viking’s Nile ships operate the same seven-night Nile cruise itinerary that Viking pairs with a four-night stay at a hotel in Cairo (three nights before the cruise and one night after) to create an 11-night “Pharaohs and Pyramids” tour of Egypt.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s loyalty program

The cruise portion of the tour includes visits to the historic temples of Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Dendera and Abu Simbel as well as a visit to the iconic Valley of the Kings. The stay in Cairo brings a visit to the pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and other sites.

Viking Osiris is the first of four sister ships that Viking plans to launch on the Nile by 2025 as it doubles its footprint in Egypt. The vessels offer a clean-lined, Scandinavian-influenced design that mimics the look of Viking’s Europe-based vessels.

Notably, the ship features an entire deck of sprawling suites that rival anything else found on the Nile for luxury and comfort. Each comes with two full-size rooms — a large living room with a residential feel and an adjacent bedroom with a walk-in closet and bathroom. Each suite also has an outdoor balcony with seating for two — something you don’t always see on Nile ships.

Viking is a newcomer to cruises to Antarctica, but the destination is a big growth area for the line. Viking recently added two new, 378-passenger expedition cruise vessels specifically built to travel to the White Continent.

Dubbed Viking Octantis, the first of these vessels began sailings to Antarctica in February 2022. The second ship in the series, Viking Polaris, has just joined its sister in Antarctica this year. Together, the two ships are already making waves in the market for Antarctica cruises, in part because they have several new and unusual features.

Most notable is The Hangar, an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to two of each ship’s exploratory vessels while still in the protected interior of the ship. A first for an expedition ship, it’s something that is significantly improving the experience for passengers heading out on Antarctica exploration.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

In another first for polar expedition cruise vessels, every cabin on both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel.

Viking offers several Antarctic itineraries, with the typical trip starting with a night at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, to board one of the two expedition ships for an 11-night cruise to Antarctica and back. A longer version of the trip features 13 nights on board one of the ships and extra days in Antarctica.

Viking also offers Antarctica sailings that combine a visit to the White Continent with stops in the Falkland Islands, Uruguay and Brazil.

Viking Octantis, notably, also operated Viking’s first sailings around the Great Lakes this year. In 2023, both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris will spend their summers in the Great Lakes.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Viking Cruises Earnings: Bets on 55+ Demo, Cuts Debt, Vague on Forecasts

Sean O'Neill , Skift

May 29th, 2024 at 3:11 PM EDT

Viking, the only pure-play luxury cruise line, has reported its first quarterly earnings since it went public. The company is targeting a English-speakers over the age of 55, a demographic with most of the wealth and a broad eagerness to travel.

Sean O'Neill

Viking  on Wednesday provided its first earnings report since its IPO earlier this month. The company, which operates 92 luxury river and ocean cruises, gave a broadly upbeat report.

Here are some key takeaways from its presentation .

Betting on over-55s

• Viking’s core customers are affluent, English-speaking travelers over age 55.
• “In the U.S., this demographic has a large spending power and holds 70% of the wealth,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO. “They’re also the fastest-growing segment of the population, expected to increase from 98 million people in 2020 to 110 million in 2030. To put things in perspective, we carried about 650,000 guests in 2023.”
• Executives said this demographic likes an all-inclusive product because they like to know their budgets upfront. That said, about 40% of passengers book an upsell, typically a package that includes a stay in a hotel before departure or at the end of a cruise. The company also offers optional excursions while in ports as upsells.

Strong 2024 and 2025 seasons

• For sailings this season, it has sold 91% of its possible passenger cruise days — a measure of the number of passengers carried multiplied by the number of ship operating days.
• For the 2025 season, it has sold 39% of its passenger cruise days. That amounts to $2.5 billion in advance bookings so far.
• “Our current bookings pace is proceeding pretty much as we planned,” Hagen said. “We have had no surprises.”

Growing capacity

• As the company adds ships, the volume of passengers it can serve obviously grows. Viking will boost its ocean cruise capacity by 17% for next year’s season, compared to the level in 2023, and its river cruise capacity by 12% next season, compared to last year.
• Viking said it had exercised options with the shipbuilder Fincantieri. It expects delivery of two wholly new 998-guest cruise ships in 2029.

Vague forecasts

• The company’s executives said that typical fluctuations in the mix of bookings over any given year make it impossible for them to provide a specific forecast for yields. Net yields last year averaged about $500 per passenger per day.
• A few analysts were disappointed in the lack of detailed guidance. “It seems to us that giving guidance would be easier for you than your peers given that your booking curve is farther out [Viking is better at generating bookings farther in advance] and you don’t really generate much onboard revenue [because] Viking’s ships are smaller,” said Robin Farley, managing director and leisure stock analyst at UBS.
• “Our goal is always to try to keep [price hike percentages from season to season] in the mid-to-high single digits,” said Linh Banh, executive vice president, finance.

Narrowing losses

• The operator of river and ocean cruises said it has been reducing its cash burn. Its adjusted EBITDA was negative $214 million in the year through March 31, representing half the loss of the prior comparable period.
• The company raised about $246 million in net proceeds from its IPO.
• Viking’s net leverage slipped from 3.8x as of year-end to 3.4x trailing yearly adjusted EBITDA as of March 31.
• “Our balance sheet is probably among the best in the industry,” Hagen said.

Viking IPO: Key Facts Behind the Luxury Cruise Operator’s Billion-Dollar Debut

Wednesday’s IPO will value Viking, an operator of luxury river and ocean cruises, at roughly $10 billion. Leaders in the luxury travel sector will be eyeing the move closely.

Cruise and Tours Sector Stock Index Performance Year-to-Date

What am I looking at?  The performance of cruise and tours sector stocks within the ST200 . The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including both cruise lines and tour operators.

The Skift Travel 200 (ST200)  combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more cruise and tours sector financial performance .

Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.

The Daily Newsletter

Our daily coverage of the global travel industry. Written by editors and analysts from across Skift’s brands.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: cruise , cruise earnings , cruise industry , cruise lines , earnings , viking

Photo credit: An aerial view of a cruise ship run by Viking Cruises, near Geiranger, Norway, and next to Seven Sisters Waterfall tumbling 1,000 feet into the fjord's water. Source: Viking Holdings Viking

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures

Special offers on all-inclusive river voyages

Grand European Tour

• PRICE & BUILD

Rhine Getaway

Danube Waltz

Romantic Danube

Paris to the Swiss Alps

Cities of Light

NEW! Rhine & Main Explorer

Lyon & Provence

Paris & the Heart of Normandy

Pharaohs & Pyramids

Limited-time offers for ocean and expedition voyages.

Ocean Voyages

Expedition Voyages

Sign up to receive updates from viking.

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Special Offers
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Advisors
• Media Center
• Investor Relations
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

Investor’s Edge: Two cruise lines that are worth a look

• Updated: Jun. 05, 2024, 10:08 a.m. |
• Published: Jun. 05, 2024, 10:05 a.m.

Syracuse.com logo

• Jim Burns, CFA

In my lifetime, I’ve been on just a few cruises, the worst actually being on my honeymoon. It was two weeks of tedium in August of 1999, when the weather in Syracuse was great, but my cruise ship was — literally — passing icebergs in the North Atlantic. We were also the youngest cruisers by about 40 years.

The boredom over those two weeks became so bad, I was hoping, somewhat seriously, that we would hit one of the icebergs, a la the Titanic. The only difference being my desire that everyone would be safely rescued. Unfortunately, no luck there.

Needless to say, my view of cruises became quite jaded.

Modern cruises, however, are nothing like what I experienced 25 years ago. The cruise ships of today are essentially floating mega resorts complete with gourmet dining, casinos, theaters, laser tag, live music, and even roller coaster rides.

In fact, cruises are more popular than ever. According to Expedia, 2024 is projected to see a record 36 million global cruise passengers — a number that is expected to grow to nearly 40 million by 2027.

Recently I had a client rave about a Viking cruise that she and her husband experienced that went from Antwerp, Belgium to Amsterdam. As Viking Cruises just went public on May 1, I think it is a good time to look at this growing industry.

I will focus on only the two top players in the industry that local investors should consider embarking on.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN (TICKER: RCL)

Miami based Royal Caribbean International is the world’s largest cruise line by revenue and accounts for nearly 20% of all cruises taken around the globe.

Royal Caribbean vessels are the essence of the floating “mega resorts” I mentioned above, which center around offering just about every type of entertainment imaginable from rock climbing walls and water slides to ice skating rinks and Broadway shows. With a focus on luxury and top-tier service, Royal Caribbean is considered by many to be the gold standard in the mega-cruising industry.

The company is currently firing on all cylinders with record booking levels, ship capacity, and profit margins. In fact, after three years of losses during the pandemic from 2020-2022, Royal Caribbean’s earnings per share skyrocketed back to $6.69 in 2023 and are projected to crest $10 per share in 2024. Despite the stock being up more than 90% in the past year, the stock still sells at a very reasonable 19 times earnings — far lower than its top competitors.

I believe Royal Caribbean is a solid buy within the cruise industry.

VIKING (TICKER: VIK)

While most cruise brands try to offer a large variety of experiences and entertainment that appeal to everyone, Viking unapologetically does not. Viking offers high-end adults-only cruises for the affluent and intellectually curious.

Viking sails across 88 countries in all seven continents. The hallmark of a Viking cruise is world-class accommodations, food, and curated cultural experiences both on and off the ship.

The company’s “secret sauce” is its niche position and fiercely loyal customer base. In fact, more than 50% of patrons return for another Viking cruise and Viking’s total revenue per passenger is more than four times larger than a standard cruise line.

According to Bank of America, Viking’s average cruise is booked 11 months ahead of time, providing meaningful earnings visibility.

Furthermore, while most cruise lines focus mainly on the Caribbean, more than 60% of Viking’s excursions take place on European rivers, allowing it to carve out a niche with little competition.

Viking is undergoing an aggressive expansion strategy to keep up with rising demand. The company plans to build 14 river cruise ships and 10 ocean ships by 2030.

The company just went public on May 1 and already the stock has risen more than 12%. With only a $13 billion market cap, Viking has a lot of room to grow.

The risks involved with these stocks is a steep economic downturn or, as in what happened in 2020, a worldwide crisis like a pandemic. Barring that, however, the cruise lines in general have been very good investments.

To note, I don’t personally own either of these stocks. I prefer owning meaningful positions in a lesser number of businesses. That said, I am currently looking into a Viking cruise later this year and I think this the cruise line stock with the most runway.

Viking and Royal Caribbean are two very different, but still best in breed cruise players that are growing rapidly. For growth-oriented investors, either is an excellent stock to consider setting sail on.

Jim Burns is a chartered financial analyst, is president of J.W. Burns & Co. The opinions expressed here are his and do not necessarily reflect those of The Post-Standard. Readers should do research before deciding on an investment. Contact him at [email protected]

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

• My View My View
• Following Following
• Saved Saved

Viking gains after wave of bullish Wall Street coverage initiations

• Medium Text

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

What does the street say.

Sign up here.

Reporting by Granth Vanaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Thomson Reuters

Granth reports on the North American Consumer and Retail sector, covering a broad range of companies from consumer packaged goods and restaurants to department stores and apparel retailers. Granth's work on the website usually appears on the Retail & Consumer page of Reuters Business section. He holds a post-graduate degree in international relations and area studies and has previously worked as a research analyst.

Business Chevron

US lawmakers call to add China's CATL, Gotion to import ban list, WSJ reports

Chinese battery companies CATL and Gotion High Tech should be added immediately to a U.S. import ban list, a group of Republican lawmakers said, alleging their supply chains use forced labour, the Wall Street Journal reported.