Logo of the 2020 Travel + Leisure award winner

TRAVEL + LEISURE

WORLD'S BEST AWARDS - 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

For the fifth year in a row, Viking was named the #1 Ocean Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure readers in the World’s Best Awards 2020. This award reinforces Viking’s position as a formidable industry leader.

Viking won the same Ocean Cruise Line award in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 overtaking the spot previously held by a luxury cruise line for 20 years. Viking is immensely proud of receiving this honor every single year since the launch of Viking’s ocean cruises in 2015.

Logo of the 2019 Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice award winner

CRUISE CRITIC

CRUISERS’ CHOICE AWARDS - 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

In 2019, the Viking ocean fleet swept the 9th Annual Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards with Viking Sky, Viking Star, Viking Sun and Viking Orion taking top honors in 10 out of 12 ocean categories.

Viking Sky received six first place awards within the small- to mid-size ship group: Best Overall Ship, Best Cabins, Best Dining, Best for Public Rooms, Best Service and Best Value-for-Money . Viking Sky also beat ships of all sizes to receive a seventh first place award as Best for First-Timers . Viking Orion was awarded First Place as Best for Fitness & Recreation ; Viking Sun was awarded First Place for Best Entertainment ; and Viking Star was awarded First Place for Best Shore Excursions . The Cruisers’ Choice Awards name the best cruise ships in the world, based solely on ratings submitted with member reviews published on the Cruise Critic website.

Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Award 2019 for Viking Ocean Cruises

CRUISE CRITIC

EDITORS’ PICKS AWARDS - 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

In 2019, the international team of Cruise Critic editors awarded more honors to Viking than any other cruise line. Viking once again led the luxury ocean cruise category with three prestigious awards—including “Best Luxury Value for Money,” “Best Spa,” and “Best Enrichment.” Cruise Critic notes that on top of fare inclusions, “Viking cruisers benefit from smartly designed cabins; gorgeous top-deck, all-weather hangouts; and destination-intensive itineraries.”

Cruise Critic editors have honored Viking ocean cruises every year since the debut of our first ship, Viking Star, in 2015. That year Viking Star was named the “Best New Ocean Ship,” with editors noting, “The ship is so beautifully designed—with terrific al fresco restaurants, a beautiful pool area, a superb spa and the two-level Explorers’ observation lounge—that you’ll be hard-pressed to go ashore.”

Cruise Critic Editor Rating Award for Viking Jupiter

CRUISE CRITIC

EDITOR RATING: 5 STARS - 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

Cruise Critic’s team of expert editors awarded Viking’s entire fleet of ocean ships—Viking Jupiter (2019), Viking Orion (2018), Viking Sun (2017), Viking Sky (2017), Viking Sea (2016) and Viking Star (2015) —with their highest rating: 5 stars. They stated that Viking Sea “is a stunning vessel that seamlessly integrates comfort and modern, Scandinavian style. The ship's small size means it rarely feels busy and is able to get into ports bigger ships can't reach.” About Viking Star they noted her to be “one of cruising's most beautiful small ships.”

Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Award 2019 for Viking Ocean Cruises

CRUISE CRITIC

CRUISERS’ CHOICE DESTINATION AWARDS - 2019, 2018

For the second consecutive year, Viking was honored as the Best Baltic & Scandinavian Cruise Line as well as Best British Isles & Western Europe Cruise Line. In 2018, Viking was also honored as Best Western Caribbean & Riviera Maya Cruise Line as well as Best Western Mediterranean Cruise Line.

TIME World's Greatest Place 2018 Award

TIME

WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES – 2018

Viking Orion was named one of the World’s Best Places to Stay for 2018. Highlighting an “out-of-this-world experience”, TIME praises Viking Orion ’s onboard planetarium (the most advanced on an ocean ship) as well as onboard lectures on astronomy and space exploration led by resident astronomer Howard Parkin.

AFAR Travelers' Choice Awards

AFAR TRAVEL

TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 2020, 2018

Viking received two first place honors in the 2020 AFAR Travelers’ Choice Awards. Named “Best Mediterranean Cruise Line” and “Best Caribbean Cruise Line,” Viking was chosen for its elegant, small-ship design, culturally rich experiences and picturesque itineraries.

Award logo from Berlitz

BERLITZ CRUISING & CRUISE SHIPS GUIDE

#1 SHIP - 2017, 2016

In its Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 edition, Berlitz rated Viking Sea first in her category, noting her “many elegant touches” and “excellent inclusive value.” This year, Viking Star, which was rated highest in her category in 2016, earned second place behind her sister ship Viking Sea.

USA Today 10BEST Readers' Choice 2021 "Best Ocean Cruise Line" Award logo

USA TODAY

10BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 6 Time Winner

For the third year in a row, Viking was named “Best Small Ship” in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards with Viking Orion taking the #1 position in 2021 and Viking Sky and Viking Sea following suit respectively for 2020 and 2019. In 2020, Viking was also named “Best Ocean Cruise Line”, beating ships of all sizes, and earned first and second placements for “Best Dining”. Nominated by a panel of travel experts and voted on by travelers, Viking was recognized for its “destination-focused itineraries,” “top-notch service,” and well-appointed, all-veranda staterooms.

THE POINTS GUY READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS - 2020

THE POINTS GUY

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS - 2020

In 2020, readers of The Points Guy, a website dedicated to honoring excellence in the travel industry, named Viking “Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” highlighting the destination-focused itineraries and upscale ship design on both our Ocean and River cruises.

Town & Country Cruise Award 2017 Winner logo

TOWN & COUNTRY

CRUISE AWARDS - 2017, 2016

Viking received two honors in the 2017 Town & Country Cruise Awards. Viking Star, Viking Sea, Viking Sky and Viking Sun were recognized in the “Best Aboard” category stating “the spas on all four ships are the most beautiful at sea”. Viking was also recognized in “Best Sports Marinas” for its destinations.

In the 2016 Town & Country Cruise Awards, Viking Star and Viking Sea were awarded “Best Overall Contemporary Luxury Cruise Line” and “Best for Design Contemporary Luxury Cruise Line.” Town & Country comments, “The Viking ocean design philosophy holds that ships should be elegant and comfortable and never overwhelm the real purpose of cruising: to see the world.”

Luxury Travel Advisor Awards of Excellence logo

LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE - 2019, 2018, 2017

In 2019, Viking was recognized for the third consecutive year as the first and only cruise line to win both rivers and oceans categories in the prestigious luxury trade awards: Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Company (for the third time) and Best Luxury River Cruise Company (for the sixth time).

RCA 2020 winner logo

RECOMMEND

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 2020, 2019, 2018

For the third consecutive year, Recommend magazine awarded Viking “Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Line” as well as “Best Mid-Size Ship” in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

Money Best in Travel 2017 award

MONEY MAGAZINE

BEST IN TRAVEL - 2017

Viking was named “Best Ocean Cruise Line” in its class by Money magazine for exceeding expectations in cost, cleanliness, customer satisfaction and overall value.

CruiseFever Fan Favorite Award 2017

CRUISE FEVER

FAN AWARDS – 2017

Cruise Fever fans named Viking “Best Luxury Cruise Line” in the 2017 Cruise Fever Fan Awards.

Logo of Foder's Travel

FODOR’S TRAVEL

WORLD’S BEST CRUISES - 2016

Viking was honored to be named one of Fodor’s Travel “World’s Best Cruises for 2016.” Fodor’s Travel recognized Viking Star and Viking Sea for the “infinity pool off the stern, Snow Grotto spa room, luminous Wintergarden tearoom and all-balcony staterooms.”

Porthole Cruise Editor in Chief Awards 2016 logo

PORTHOLE CRUISE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AWARDS – 2016

Viking Star was named for the first time as “Best New Breakout Ship” in the annual Porthole Cruise Editor-in-Chief Awards.

Porthole Cruise Readers' Choice Awards 2016 logo

PORTHOLE CRUISE

READER’S CHOICE AWARDS – 2015

Viking Star was honored for the first time as “Best Medium-Sized Ship” (500-2,000 guests) in the 17th annual Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards.

Interior Design Best of Year 2015 Award logo

INTERIOR DESIGN

BEST OF YEAR AWARDS - 2015

The preeminent design competition – hosted by the industry-leading publication – celebrates superior interior design projects and products. Viking Star was honored in the 2015 edition, with the Living Room, Wintergarden and Explorers’ Lounge receiving special nods for their unique and stunning design.

Logo of Architectural Digest

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST

BEST NEW LUXURY CRUISES - 2015

In a roundup of the most luxurious and design-forward vessels sailing today, Viking Star took top billing.

Logo of the Travel Channel

TRAVEL CHANNEL

BEST MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE - 2015

Rated among its best cruises of 2015, the Travel Channel honored Viking with “Best Mediterranean Cruise.” The cable network also recognized Viking for “living up to the reputation of its acclaimed sister line while offering perks all its own.”

© 2016. Travel + Leisure and Time Inc. Affluent Media Group are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Viking Cruises. Viking Ocean Cruises was voted Best Large-Ship Ocean Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure readers in the 2016 World’s Best Awards.