Situated on the north bank of the Thames, Tilbury is steeped in history. The town is most famous as the site of a fortress built by Henry VIII to defend London from invasion by ships coming up the Thames. Upriver, the city is home to iconic power centers—Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey—from which the fate of the British Empire rose and wavered. Today, the city thrives amid a long tradition of arts and architectural innovation—from Shakespeare’s Globe Theater to West End musicals, from Tower Bridge to the London Eye.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions vary by each itinerary and are subject to change.
Iconic London
Enjoy an overview of London’s most recognizable cultural and historic monuments.
Tilbury Fort
Journey to Tilbury Fort to discover its role in the defense of London for over 400 years.
Classic Monuments of London
Tour past some of London’s most famous landmarks, accompanied by a renowned Blue Badge–licensed guide.
Hever Castle & Gardens
Explore historic Hever Castle as you discover more about the home of one of England’s most famous Tudor queens.
The Royal Borough of Greenwich
Discover Greenwich’s maritime and royal history as you explore London’s leafy riverside suburb.
The Tower of London
Explore the intriguing past of one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks.
Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London
Enjoy a very special after-hours visit to the Tower of London and experience a unique, centuries-old tradition.
Imperial War Museum & Churchill’s War Rooms
Discover the undercover work of Britain’s Special Forces and the Allies, from World War I to conflicts of today.
Iconic London & The British Museum
Enjoy a final glimpse of London’s most notable landmarks during a scenic drive.
Royal Horticultural Society Garden Hyde Hall
Immerse yourself in nature as you explore the diverse array of gardens at RHS Garden Hyde Hall.
Chatham’s Historic Dockyard
Learn about maritime history during a visit to a 400-year-old Royal Naval base.
Videos
Highclere Castle
Join Karine at the “real Downton Abbey,” the historic and renowned Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England, home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.
Highclere Behind the Scenes: Gwyn, “The Butterfly Lady”
Join Karine to meet one of the longest serving residents on the Highclere Castle estate. And join them on a journey of joy and firsts, taking delight in the smaller things in life.
Highclere Behind the Scenes: Pat the Painter
Meet Pat Withers, one of the castle’s favorite, most colorful characters, who came to Highclere as a teenager and never left. As the longest serving staff member at Highclere, she’s worked for three generations of the Carnarvon family.
Tutankhamen and Highclere Castle
Uncover the fascinating history behind the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb by archaeologist Howard Carter and George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, and get an exclusive look at Highclere Castle’s collection of Egyptian relics.
Highclere Behind the Scenes: Mike the Beekeeper
Join Karine and Finse as they explore the world of bees with Mike Withers, a thirty-year member of the Highclere staff, whose passion for these hard-working, misunderstood insects spans 60 years.
Explore Chavenage House, the home from the PBS series “Poldark”
The friendly, very personable, longtime owners of Chavenage House, welcome you into this quintessential English estate, tucked away in the picturesque Cotswolds.
Time
Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen shares his philosophy on time and the importance of spending it wisely.
Churchill’s Britain
Discover the remarkable life and times of revered British statesman Sir Winston Churchill. During this 5-night London extension with Viking, gain Privileged Access to Cabinet War Rooms; visit Churchill’s private Chartwell estate and his birthplace at Blenheim Palace; learn how the British broke the Nazis’ secret code at Bletchley Park and much more.
Visit the University of Oxford
Join Karine as she goes behind the scenes at the University of Oxford, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious educational institutions and alma mater to kings and presidents.
The Viking Way
Go beyond the expected and experience The Viking Way. Engage in Local Life, learn about the Working World and enjoy Privileged Access to people and places otherwise difficult to visit.
