November 21, 2025 — Nothing could wipe the smile off Viking founder, chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen’s face last week in Basel, Switzerland — not a sudden mid-ceremony burst of rain or even a premature bottle smash on the hull of the nearly finished Viking Dagur — as the cruise brand he started 28 years ago achieved the major milestone of becoming the first line to amass a 100-ship fleet.
October 27, 2025 — "We had a vision that we should establish a serious cruise line for serious people." Viking CEO Tor Hagen on their no-kids cruise policy.
October 22, 2025 — By one measure, at least, Viking now rules the cruise world. The fast-growing cruise brand officially welcomed nine new ships to its fleet on Tuesday during an upbeat naming ceremony in Basel, Switzerland, bringing its total to 103. The addition of the new vessels, all designed for river cruising, puts Viking firmly ahead of cruise giant Carnival Corporation for the title of the cruise company with the most ships.
October 22, 2025 — With a push of a button and a smash of Norwegian aquavit, Viking named its 100th ship. It was one of nine river vessels Viking welcomed into its fleet on Oct. 21, in ceremonies across six countries and three continents. The company now has 100-plus ships across its river, ocean and expedition categories. Viking is known for its big, multi-ship naming ceremonies. In 2014 Viking broke its own Guinness World Record when it christened 16 ships in a 24-hour period -- and then inaugurated two more in Portugal.
October 21, 2025 — Viking Holdings CEO Torstein Hagen joins ‘Mad Money’ host Jim Cramer to discuss the milestone of naming the 100th ship, the growth of their ocean business, the strength of the consumer, and more.
September 3, 2025 — Viking executives say the company’s strictness on what its vacations will and will not be helps keep ships full in the face of new competition in the river space and a sea of larger, kid-friendly boats teeming with entertainment and rides. Guests on Viking ships attend lectures about their trip’s destinations from resident historians and listen to classical music. Rather than pool parties and waterslides, a Viking cruiser steps into quieter pools and snow grottos, small glass-enclosed rooms filled with man-made snow. “There are very successful floating entertainment palaces,” said Chief Executive Tor Hagen, referring to other cruise operators. “We are really a place where we take grown-ups to interesting places, where they can continue to educate themselves.”
June 26, 2025 — I recently came back from sailing the Great Lakes on Viking’s unique Niagara & the Great Lakes expedition cruise itinerary, which began in Milwaukee, sailing four of the five Great Lakes and traversing the historic Welland Canal before ending in Toronto, Canada. Along the way, I enjoyed visiting Mackinac Island, Michigan—a historic island that’s been using horses and bicycles instead of cars for over a century—along with Alpena, known for its shipwrecks; Detroit, known for its industry and its cultural and artistic resurgence; Point Pelee, a Canadian National Park and the southernmost tip of Canada; and scenic Niagara Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders.
April 30, 2025 — Viking stands out as a leader in balancing luxury with genuine sustainability. As a frontrunner in the clean maritime travel sector, Viking has set the standard by ensuring all of its ocean liners have minimal environmental impact and expeditions that prioritize preservation.
March 5, 2025 — On this adults-only cruise line, choose between river, ocean, and expedition vessels. Viking ships sail all seven continents. Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris explore the poles but also sail Niagara, the Great Lakes, and Chilean fjords. While categorized as upper premium, Viking’s ocean and expedition fleet includes many amenities, such as one shore excursion per port, all dining, afternoon tea, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, spa Thermal Suite access, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service.
February 21, 2025 — Viking began studying eDNA in part because of the pandemic. The company initially required guests to take daily polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19, but once that requirement was phased out, the equipment on board its ship Octantis was repurposed to allow for real-time testing of water samples. The cruise company teamed up with NOAA in 2020, and scientists joined Viking's expedition to the Great Lakes in 2022.
February 20, 2025 — This new offering for Viking in 2025 and 2026 will take adventurous travelers on a once-in-a-lifetime journey from the Earth's far north in Greenland all the way to the South Pole in Antarctica. The 87-day cruise sails aboard Viking's 378-guest Polar Class 6 expedition vessels, Viking Octantis (in 2025) and Viking Polaris (in 2026). It features ports of call in 12 countries. Guests along for the extended sailing will explore the remote beauty of Greenland and the icy wilderness areas of the Canadian High Arctic – all the way south to the Chilean fjords and the otherworldly landscapes and surreal beauty of Antarctica.
February 10, 2025 — “It's incredibly inspiring to be part of a program like this that’s open to non-specialist involvement,” said one volunteer, a retired biology teacher aboard the Viking Octantis ship, who continued to say, “Thank you for letting us be a part of the science and explaining so clearly why it matters to the bigger picture."
December 11, 2024 — The experience of visiting Antarctica is so remarkable that most get to do it only once—making your selection of vessel a precious one. Aboard the sleek Viking Octantis, the goal is to get you as close to the continent’s most striking landscapes as possible, without the discomfort one might assume is standard for traversing this unforgiving destination.
November 18, 2024 — When Brandi Revels joined Viking in 2021 as one of the cruise line’s Chief Scientists, she hadn’t really considered what it would mean to live for months at a time on an expedition vessel—she was just enchanted by the research opportunities, educational outreach, and undeniable lure of traveling to some of the farthest reaches of earth. In her role with Viking, she navigates itineraries throughout Antarctica and the Great Lakes, and, in 2025, the Arctic, joining guests for shore excursions and landings, overseeing field research and leading experiments such as the NOAA weather balloon launch, and delivering lectures on everything from geology to paleoclimatology.
November 7, 2024 — In 2024, the former PCR labs aboard Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, as well as the PCR technology itself, were converted into facilities for real-time environmental DNA sequencing: a method that allows scientists to create a full picture of an ecosystem, identifying organisms living there or passing through using just a small sample.
October 2, 2024 — The impact of these programs is evident. In January 2023, Viking published its first scientific paper detailing its expedition team's encounters with the rare giant phantom jellyfish in Antarctica—spotted during submersible dives with guests. In January 2024, the first aerial survey of Antarctica's Astrolabe Island in 40 years, executed on board Viking Octantis in partnership with research watch group Oceanites, revealed a new chinstrap penguin colony on nearby Diaz Rock. Call it an experience worth traveling for.
September 16, 2024 — Drawn to Antarctica again, I chose Viking Polaris as my home base in the Southern Ocean. And while the ship might not offer passengers a true polar plunge, it has the next best thing: a traditional Nordic spa with floor-to-ceiling windows, connecting you with the vast landscapes of the White Continent while you luxuriate. Bliss. I found myself there regularly, cycling through the sauna, ice-cold bucket shower, steam room, and snow grotto—with a little relaxation in the warming cave or the hydrotherapy pool for good measure. But it was the badestamp that stole my heart, lingering in my mind long after I returned home.
September 10, 2024 — Viking’s scientific enrichment program enables a team of working scientists and experts, including ornithologists and glaciologists, to conduct research with guests. Passengers ride in submarines to look for deep-water ocean life or dutifully note the birds they spot while sitting out on the Finse Terrace. For this secretly science-mad citizen, filtering water samples for microplastics in a lab coat was a winning combo of feeling good and doing good. Nothing nerdy about that.
August 25, 2024 — Viking's two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, carry a maximum of 378 passengers, so they fall into the medium-size category. As such, landings are generally limited to one site per day, which creates a more laid-back Antarctica experience — there's plenty of time to enjoy the out-of-this-world spa (my favorite feature is the open-air badestamp, a wooden hot tub) as well as hands-on science demonstrations. But there's a lot to do off the ships, too, as they carry quite a few toys: notably, submersibles.
August 22, 2024 — Viking Holdings Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen joins ‘Mad Money’ host Jim Cramer to talk quarterly results, affordability and pricing, and more.
August 20, 2024 — At The Science Lab, developed in partnership with the University of Cambridge and Akvaplan-niva aquatic research and development institute, guests can learn and participate in research. A weather balloon launch took place during our voyage and guests were invited to watch the event and the incoming live data. Lectures and films in the ship’s theater also brought the region of the lovely Great Lakes to life as Viking Polaris sailed along its mighty waters.
July 15, 2024 — On a recent trip to Antarctica aboard Viking Polaris, I not only discovered the multidimensional allure of the ice — but I also realized that you don’t have to sacrifice amenities for adventure. That’s thanks in large part to Polaris, which was launched in 2022. One of two identical expedition ships from Viking, this 378-passenger vessel has much in common with the nine ocean and 90 river ships of the brand that’s a favorite of Travel + Leisure readers. Aboard this newly constructed expedition ship, the décor is an elegant interpretation of modern Scandinavian style and there are no inside cabins, a particularly important consideration for trips on the sometimes rocky Drake Passage.
July 9, 2024 — Topping the World’s Best Awards in the small-ship category for a second year in a row, Viking’s pair of 189-cabin expedition ships deliver expedition-style cruising with the comforts found on traditional ships. The ships winter in Antarctica, summer in the Great Lakes, and also explore South America, Greenland, and the Northwest Passage. They also do multi-month itineraries such as longitudinal world cruises. Off-ship exploration opportunities caught readers’ attention as did a science focus.
July 1, 2024 — Not so long ago, giant phantom jellyfish were an extremely rare sight, with fewer than 130 known sightings. Then tourists aboard personal submersibles started spotting them near the Antarctic Peninsula. The submersible rides were part of a Viking Expedition trip. Viking Octantis, a luxury cruise vessel, takes thousands of passengers each year through the icy waters of the Southern Ocean to glimpse penguins, seals, and other wildlife. All the majestic scenery and cruise ship amenities come with a healthy dose of science and the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge Antarctic research.
June 27, 2024 — Viking takes science very seriously, and on board were a chief scientist, an ornithologist, a PhD student doing seaweed research, plus historians, geologists, and various other scientists. There were daily lectures on birds, geography, aquatic life, and history of the region. The scientific staff collected myriad samples of water (which, sadly, I was told always contains micro-plastics), phytoplankton, and various other readings that are sent back for analysis.
June 26, 2024 — Our go-to expedition cruise line just keeps getting better. Its two all-new polar-class ships explore the world's most remote destinations (think Antarctica and the Arctic Circle) in a category of comfort, luxury, and elegance that no other adventure cruise can touch.
June 25, 2024 — Whether you cruise with Viking on one of the company’s many 190-passenger river cruise vessels in Europe, on the line’s 930-passenger ocean cruise ships that sail around the world, or on one of its two 378-passenger expedition ships, you’ll be treated to a fine-tuned cruising experience geared strictly to adults. You need to be age 18 and up to get aboard to enjoy the many perks covered in the all-inclusive fares. Those perks consist of shore excursions in every port, free wine and beer, all meals (including numerous restaurant experiences and nightly seafood buffets), engaging lectures hosted by historians and other experts, and Nordic spas complete with hot sauna, steam room, and a chilly snow grotto.
June 24, 2024 — Built in 2022, Viking Polaris is a relative newcomer to expedition cruising in Antarctica, but the ship’s Scandinavian designs and comforts have mastered the art of spoiling guests. Cabins boast plush beds, picture windows that lower with the touch of a button (balconies are pointless in Antarctica) and spa-like bathrooms with large showers and heated floors. Drying closets keep wet gear out of the way while helping ensure it dries in time for the next adventure.
June 22, 2024 — Viking currently has over 60 ships in their fleet that travel all around the world. You can take an iconic Western Mediterranean trip (Barcelona to Rome), a Grand European tour (Budapest to Amsterdam) or a Great Lakes voyage (Toronto to Minnesota). While many of the ships feature pools, restaurants, a library room and theater, most travelers go for the thrilling excursions and even participate in lectures specifically found on the expedition ships (Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris) that are great for the curious scientist or animal lover.
June 10, 2024 — An example of a Viking Local Life experience is learning about the important trade route of the Indigenous Anishinaabe people in Canada’s Georgian Bay. Meanwhile, a Working World experience may involve joining a regional fisherman in Thunder Bay, Canada, and cooking a fresh catch. And the line’s Privileged Access experiences extend to exclusive shore excursions, such as afternoon tea at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel in Michigan. For those wishing to at least dip a toe in more adventurous waters, the above activities are in addition to Viking’s typical expeditionary offerings, which include Zodiac rides to help the expedition team scientists study phytoplankton as it relates to the lakes’ ecosystem; or, in Canada, kayaking in Silver Islet or sub diving in Fathom Five National Marine Park.
May 29, 2024 — I just returned from a week-long voyage on Viking Octantis and looked inside to see what makes this vessel so incredibly unique. As the first expedition ship I sailed on, I was very impressed with its overall design and how it easily blended relaxation and adventure into its onboard elements. Equally impressive is the educational opportunities to learn from the expedition and scientific staff.
May 24, 2024 — Viking has revealed its latest scientific advancement on board Viking Octantis by adding real-time environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing of phytoplankton. With scientific support from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and J. Craig Venter Institute, the PCR lab on board Viking Octantis has been home to scientists contributing to the Genomics at Sea Programme — monitoring the environmental impact on phytoplankton without the need to transport samples to a distant shoreside facility.
May 3, 2024 — The attentive service, elegant accommodations, and delightful culinary offerings onboard the Viking Polaris ensured that every moment of the expedition was imbued with a sense of luxury and refinement. Yet it was the ship's ability to deliver us to the very edges of the untouched wilderness, to facilitate profound connections with the natural world, that made this journey truly extraordinary. When I disembarked the Viking Polaris, I carried with me more than just photographs. I carried a renewed sense of wonder, a deeper appreciation for our planet's most remote and pristine environments, and an unshakeable commitment to their preservation. For an expedition to the Antarctic is not just a journey to the end of the world; it is a journey to the very heart of what makes our world worth saving.
April 8, 2024 — Viking Octantis is a destination unto itself, evoking a sense of intimacy and understated elegance with a neutral colour palette and contemporary Scandinavian design. Think: lichen displays, giant felt birds, cozy leather armchairs and fur throws, and bird songs playing in the bathrooms. Octantis has ceiling-to-floor glass windows in the common spaces and 189 double-occupancy staterooms, all with retractable windows which open from the top down to watch the passing scenery.
March 25, 2024 — Viking might be inspired by Nordic sailors of yore, who explored the world in their bare-bones longships — or the rugged 20th-century explorers whose portraits line the walls of the ship — but Viking Polaris' creature comforts would make all those hardy men and women rethink their travel choices. You won't regret yours if you choose to make this gorgeous little ship your home base for vacation adventure.
March 24, 2024 — The 378-passenger expedition-style cruise ship — from every "Downton Abbey"-loving baby boomer's favorite ocean/river/expedition cruise line Viking — is like the Goldilocks of the South Pole. It's not so big that it can't let guests disembark onto Antarctica's snow-covered shores, nor is it so small that it can't offer creature comforts like spacious cabins, multiple dining venues and that expansive spa. Its interior spaces are well designed, friendly and inviting, while its rugged exterior and ice-strengthened hull enable it to cruise the icy seas at the ends of the earth. In essence, it's "just right."
March 21, 2024 — The Polar Class Viking Octantis features 189 staterooms and holds 387 passengers, so you'll never feel crowded onboard. Many ways to unwind include sitting in the Explorers' Lounge, with its amazing views over the lake, and hitting the pool, sauna, or steam room at the Nordic Spa. The luxurious staterooms offer all the comforts of home, from luxury linens to a large flat-screen TV, plus a floor-to-ceiling heated drying closet and 24-hour complimentary room service.
March 20, 2024 — For active, curious travelers who want to see the world and have perspective-altering experiences, it’s hard to beat Viking. “On the Antarctic Explorer, I set my feet on two continents and had daily experiences that were challenging both mentally and physically—it was definitely a leap for a lot of us to get on a tiny zodiac in choppy waters, go kayaking with icebergs, and walk on shores with shipwrecks and whale bones from the previous century,” says Women’s Health Managing Editor Laura McLaughlin.
March 13, 2024 — While that doesn’t mean it’s wrong to go on a cruise, it does mean that travelers should consider all the factors that go into creating their dream cruise vacation, and consider ways they can create a more positive impact. One easy way to do that is by selecting cruise lines that have scientific partners or research teams on board. That ensures at least some of your travel funds are going to a good cause, and may lead to more discoveries like the one made by Viking and Oceanites.
February 29, 2024 — While many Antarctica cruises can add up to two weeks duration, Viking Cruises offers a 13-day itinerary that’s ideal for a post-wedding extravaganza. The round-trip sailing from Ushuaia provides ample time to cuddle up with your new partner as you prepare for the experience of a lifetime. Days are scheduled around excursions like kayaking through cerulean-frosted icebergs, visiting penguin colonies, and zipping into inlets via zodiac for a better view of seals and animated ice formations; yet, still leaves plenty of time for curling up in the Explorers’ Lounge with your favorite cocktail or dipping in the heated pools at the spa or the aft of the ship.
February 9, 2024 — More evidence that expedition trips are growing in popularity: industry leader Viking jumped into the market in 2022 with sister ships Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Each accommodates 378 guests in 189 staterooms. After their first full year of voyages, the line was voted #1 for expeditions by both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. They currently sail in Antarctica and the Great Lakes, and will begin voyages in the Arctic in 2025.
February 2, 2024 — Under the new itinerary, the Octantis was now bound for Astrolabe Island, a three-mile-wide volcanic mass lying in the Bransfield Strait, with a colony of chinstrap penguins that had not been surveyed since 1987.
November 23, 2025 — I, too, felt like I’d won the travel lottery, getting to see places that had been closed to Westerners (and indeed many Chinese people) for years because of COVID restrictions. By sailing with Viking, I suddenly had the keys to some of China’s most interesting cities. What’s more, I never once had to wait in line, buy tickets, arrange transportation, make restaurant reservations, or handle any other logistics.
November 21, 2025 — Nothing could wipe the smile off Viking founder, chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen’s face last week in Basel, Switzerland — not a sudden mid-ceremony burst of rain or even a premature bottle smash on the hull of the nearly finished Viking Dagur — as the cruise brand he started 28 years ago achieved the major milestone of becoming the first line to amass a 100-ship fleet.
November 18, 2025 — U.S. News has made it easier to find the cruise that's right for you with our Best Cruise Lines rankings, which identify the best cruise lines for a variety of traveler types in a range of regions.
November 9, 2025 — Once I’ve been on a ship or cruise line, I’m on to the next one, meaning that I’m not really able to revisit vessels that I enjoy. So lucky for me that Viking’s ocean ships, which rate among my favorites, are almost all identical. Boarding Viking Vesta, the newest of the line’s fast-growing fleet, on the line’s Ancient Mediterranean Treasures itinerary in Istanbul, felt like seeing an old friend who recently received a glow up.
October 27, 2025 — "We had a vision that we should establish a serious cruise line for serious people." Viking CEO Tor Hagen on their no-kids cruise policy.
October 22, 2025 — By one measure, at least, Viking now rules the cruise world. The fast-growing cruise brand officially welcomed nine new ships to its fleet on Tuesday during an upbeat naming ceremony in Basel, Switzerland, bringing its total to 103. The addition of the new vessels, all designed for river cruising, puts Viking firmly ahead of cruise giant Carnival Corporation for the title of the cruise company with the most ships.
October 22, 2025 — With a push of a button and a smash of Norwegian aquavit, Viking named its 100th ship. It was one of nine river vessels Viking welcomed into its fleet on Oct. 21, in ceremonies across six countries and three continents. The company now has 100-plus ships across its river, ocean and expedition categories. Viking is known for its big, multi-ship naming ceremonies. In 2014 Viking broke its own Guinness World Record when it christened 16 ships in a 24-hour period -- and then inaugurated two more in Portugal.
October 21, 2025 — Viking Holdings CEO Torstein Hagen joins ‘Mad Money’ host Jim Cramer to discuss the milestone of naming the 100th ship, the growth of their ocean business, the strength of the consumer, and more.
September 15, 2025 — It just might be the perfect cruising moment — at least for me. As I write this, I am sitting in the stylish, glass-walled lounge at the front of the Viking ocean ship Viking Saturn, my travel companion at my side. Awaiting our lips, in Schott Zwiesel crystal glasses, are martinis made with gin from Highclere Castle, a Viking partner — garnished at our server’s recommendation with orange twists to match the spirit’s citrus overtones. In the background, classy orchestral music plays. Not too softly. Not too loudly.
September 3, 2025 — Viking executives say the company’s strictness on what its vacations will and will not be helps keep ships full in the face of new competition in the river space and a sea of larger, kid-friendly boats teeming with entertainment and rides. Guests on Viking ships attend lectures about their trip’s destinations from resident historians and listen to classical music. Rather than pool parties and waterslides, a Viking cruiser steps into quieter pools and snow grottos, small glass-enclosed rooms filled with man-made snow. “There are very successful floating entertainment palaces,” said Chief Executive Tor Hagen, referring to other cruise operators. “We are really a place where we take grown-ups to interesting places, where they can continue to educate themselves.”
August 29, 2025 — Viking has carved out a niche as the cruise line for the culturally curious. With no casinos, no children under 18, and no garish poolside entertainment, it’s the go-to for those who’d rather attend a lecture on Norse mythology than a limbo contest (though you might find yourself signing up for a surprisingly spirited pub quiz or a bracing polar plunge). Still primarily owned by its founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen, the company blends Nordic understatement with intellectual enrichment, delivering destination-focused itineraries and a calm, unhurried onboard atmosphere.
August 24, 2025 — If you’re looking to sail on a stupendous big ship where there’s a casino, a Jumbotron at the pool, children on board, thousands of passengers, artwork for sale, formal nights, gold-chains-by-the-yard – and long lines everywhere (especially at the elevator) – Viking Cruises is not for you. It will not be your cup of (chamomile) tea. Instead, the world-class, award-winning, six-star ships of Viking are famous for the fact that they are really meant for sophisticated cruisers who desire a dynamic journey filled with fascinating lectures, super-interesting excursions, first-class on-board activities, and books everywhere – all augmented and complemented with gourmet cuisine, and beautiful live classical music performed live by gifted musicians throughout the day and into evenings, (especially in the beautiful atrium).
July 30, 2025 — I am here thanks to Viking, the fast-growing cruise company. This train ride, along with almost every other element of my visit to Norway, from my pickup at the airport in Oslo to hotel stays, guided tours and museum admissions in each city I am visiting, was arranged by Viking as part of a multiday precruise land tour. Viking, it turns out, isn't just one of the fastest-growing cruise lines in the world. It's a growing land tour company, too. With an ever-increasing array of multiday land tours and hotel stays designed to be seamlessly added on to one of its cruise itineraries, the line is making it easier than ever for cruise-loving travelers to custom-design the perfect extended vacation — all while only dealing with a single company that arranges everything from start to finish.
June 25, 2025 — The first snow grotto on the silver seas (there is even a snow-making machine) is just one example of how every aspect of Viking’s therapeutic experience ties back to the brand's Nordic roots. There’s a simplicity to the LiVNordic spa—much like a folk melody—and the trick here is to allow your body to adjust to rapid hot and cold temperature changes in the sauna and cold pool. With treatments neatly divided into categories to promote mindfulness, rest, and detox, you can customize your treatments and float, spirited and carefree like a Norse god or goddess.
June 17, 2025 — This itinerary also featured fascinating lectures and presentations about the Canal, the Panama hat, the horses of the Conquistador, the rare birds of Costa Rica, the real pirates of the Caribbean and so much more. For me, sea days are synonymous with spa days and Viking’s spa is my favorite place to relax and rejuvenate. I always get at least one massage and I take advantage of the entire Nordic-inspired thermal suite (another included Viking perk), going back and forth between the sauna, steam, hot tub, snow grotto and ice bucket. I consider it self-care.
June 17, 2025 — One of the best things about travel, besides getting to visit new places and experiencing different cultures, is introducing other people to your favorite finds. So, when I decided to finally plan a Panama Canal cruise with a friend who also had always wanted to sail through the famous waterway, I made sure we booked Viking’s 11-day Classic Panama Canal Passage itinerary. My husband and I have taken more than a dozen cruises on Viking and are so at home on their ships, the crew feels like family. So I felt like a proud parent as we stepped aboard the Viking Mars and I saw my friend’s wide-eyed expression. She couldn’t stop ooh-ing and ah-ing over the casually elegant Scandinavian design, our spacious staterooms with their balconies and all the thoughtful little details for which Viking is famous.
April 30, 2025 — Viking stands out as a leader in balancing luxury with genuine sustainability. As a frontrunner in the clean maritime travel sector, Viking has set the standard by ensuring all of its ocean liners have minimal environmental impact and expeditions that prioritize preservation.
April 23, 2025 — There may be no better place to take in views of some of Europe’s most enchanting ports and coastlines than from the seventh deck of Viking Vela. The Norwegian line’s newest ocean ship has made its home continent its primary focus, and introduced a range of new itineraries to keep pace. It spent much of this winter on Viking’s new northern lights-themed sailings, whisking passengers from London to the far north of Norway in search of the aurora borealis.
April 14, 2025 — Viking’s sailings along the southeast coast go beyond the headlines. On a cloudy morning in Zhujiajiao, a familiar green-and-white logo touched a nerve during my first trip back to China since 2019. I’d joined a cruise along the southeast coast, and this shore excursion would plunge me straight into the beauty, history, and contradiction that a visit to the Middle Kingdom promises. As we arrived at the canal-laced town, 28 miles inland from Shanghai, firecrackers rattled loudly in the morning air.
March 17, 2025 — Viking Cruises offers first-time and repeat cruisers the Best of All Worlds with their six-country, 13-day European itinerary. Sailing a course to the ancient civilizations and visiting historic ports is a history lover’s dream. Begin in Barcelona or Chioggia (Venice) and discover the pleasures of visiting ten unique cities without unpacking. Many passengers, like us, opt for pre- or post-excursions, giving the embarkation or disembarkation destinations further review. We flew into Venice before our cruise and spent a glorious few days strolling the enchanting canal waterways and back streets lined with specialty shops.
March 5, 2025 — On this adults-only cruise line, choose between river, ocean, and expedition vessels. Viking ships sail all seven continents. Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris explore the poles but also sail Niagara, the Great Lakes, and Chilean fjords. While categorized as upper premium, Viking’s ocean and expedition fleet includes many amenities, such as one shore excursion per port, all dining, afternoon tea, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, spa Thermal Suite access, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service.
February 15, 2025 — Drinking green tea has been part of my ritual most mornings for the past 20 years, but I had never given much thought to how that hot beverage had gotten from a plant to my cup. That changed, though, during an eye-opening shore excursion, a break from my recent cruise aboard the Viking Yi Dun, the cruise line's inaugural coastal China voyage for English speakers. China has been making tea for thousands of years, and here I was, standing in the birthplace of Tieguanyin tea, a type of oolong tea, and I was about to pick it myself. My fellow passengers and I had spent the past few days immersing ourselves in Chinese culture and rituals during this 10-day cruise from Shanghai to Shenzhen in September.
February 7, 2025 — Viking introduced its first “Quiet Season Mediterranean” sailing in 2015 and remains a leader in the industry when it comes to winter sailings in Europe. It currently has 21 different itineraries for winter sailings in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Malta, Turkey, Monaco, Portugal, Croatia, and Montenegro, typically offered from late October through mid-March. “Quiet Season Mediterranean continues to be one of our key offerings, with a variety of dates and itinerary options and a dedicated place on our website,” says Richard Marnell, Viking Executive Vice President of Marketing. “During the upcoming 2025 to 2026 fall to spring season, we’ll have five ocean ships in the Mediterranean full-time and one additional ocean ship sailing select itineraries.”
February 5, 2025 — After busy days ashore, we are always ready to be back on board. Few ships can match the quiet sophistication of Viking’s ocean going vessels. With its neutral Scandi-chic design, Venus feels more like a home than a ship. With only 930 guests, the public spaces are never crowded.
December 29, 2024 — But sweltering summer temperatures in Greece this year had me — and a growing number of people who are seeking “cool-cations” — looking for an escape. I found mine on a 13-day voyage through Iceland and Norway aboard Viking Saturn, the 465-cabin ship that is the newest ocean-going vessel from Viking, a favorite of Travel + Leisure readers. And while many cruise lines travel the seemingly endless coastlines of Norway, Viking is one of only a few that calls the country home, a fact that’s evident the moment you step aboard.
November 14, 2024 — Viking Saturn, a 745-foot, 930-passenger ship launched in 2023. For four days, we sailed around Iceland before heading east to the Faroe Islands, and then on to Norway during this 14-day journey. The small-ship’s elegant minimalist all-veranda design makes it the perfect platform to visit these remote places once trodden by the Vikings. Unlike the Vikings, however, guests can unwind and recalibrate after a long day of adventure in cozy leather armchairs with fur throws and then relax in the ship’s extensive Scandinavian spa.
November 11, 2024 — With multiple routes and departures, Viking has emerged as a leader in what it calls the “quiet season” in the Mediterranean. Founded as a European river cruise line in 1997, Viking began offering winter sailings in the region when it added its first oceangoing ship, the 930-passenger Viking Star, in 2015. This winter, Viking is stationing three ships full time in the Mediterranean and will increase the fleet dedicated to the region to five in the 2025-26 winter season. “We recognized past travelers would appreciate traveling in the Mediterranean during a time period in which it was still very, very temperate,” said Richard Marnell, the executive vice president of marketing at Viking. Midwinter temperatures in Barcelona tend to run from the high 40s to the low 60s.
October 15, 2024 — The line’s new sailings on the 930-passenger Viking Yi Dun hug the country’s southeastern coast, from Shanghai to Shenzhen, stopping in ports that were part of the Maritime Silk Road, a series of historic trading ports. It marks the first time international passengers can explore coastal China with an English-speaking cruise line; other cruise lines drop into Shanghai as a port of call, typically on multicountry itineraries around Asia, but Viking’s new 10- to 20-day itineraries (including land-based extensions) operate fully within China.
October 1, 2024 — But it is this combination of isolated geography and bracing weather that has preserved the peninsula of eighteen islands from the ravages of mass tourism. Our port call aboard the elegant new Norwegian-flagged and Nordic-spirited Viking Saturn – the only cruise ship to visit that day and one of only six large cruise ships that month – not only allowed us to get a measure of the islands’ isolation, but our approach and sail away gave a longboat-eye perspective of the sheer beauty of the place.
September 25, 2024 — Viking’s ocean-going ships are a bit of a departure from the norm for Alaska cruises. Designed with clean Nordic lines and the aesthetic of a land-based luxury hotel, these ships are well-suited for understated exploring—you won’t find a casino onboard here. The 11-day itinerary from Vancouver calls at Alaska’s collection of “Greatest Hits” ports like Ketchikan, Sitka, and Juneau, but also overnights in Seward before passengers disembark, giving them a chance to check out rescued wildlife at the fascinating Alaska SeaLife Center or take an excursion in Kenai Fjords National Park.
September 21, 2024 — Food on Viking Yi Dun is excellent both in terms of quality and variety. It includes Chinese dishes and those that appeal to more Western tastes. Many passengers will end up trying a few new foods, and Viking Yi Dun makes it easy for them, holding themed events and clearly explaining what is in the items they’re trying.
September 19, 2024 — The cruise line weaves in a bit of China everywhere. Lectures take a look at history and culture, classes like intro to Mahjong or beginner Tai Chi are offered, and entertainment includes things like classic shadow puppetry. Menus, too, blend Western and Eastern tastes in every venue. I loved breakfast at the main restaurant, where I could order a Chinese breakfast, and waiters wheeled around dim sum carts with items like purple sweet potato buns and shrimp shumai. Other guests did too, delighting in trying congee for the first time.
August 22, 2024 — Viking Holdings Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen joins ‘Mad Money’ host Jim Cramer to talk quarterly results, affordability and pricing, and more.
August 14, 2024 — A Viking Iceland cruise might be the ideal way to explore the Land of Fire and Ice -- and not only from a logistical point of view. The cruise line’s respect for all things Norwegian make it a perfect partner for exploring Iceland’s Norse heritage along with its remarkable landscape and modern culture. When it comes to Iceland cruises on Viking Ocean ships, you’ll be able to choose from plenty of choices. There are several Viking cruise ships to consider, all offering one- to multi-week sailings.
August 8, 2024 — For many, walking along the Great Wall is a dream. For passengers aboard Viking Yi Dun on the Classic China and the Coast cruise, it's a reality. Viking sets itself apart with a China-focused cruisetour that combines a five-night precruise land stay in Beijing and Xian with a nine-night cruise through the East and South China Seas. You can choose from multiple fall 2024 departures. In Beijing, you can visit the Forbidden City and Great Wall before flying to Xian to admire the famous Terra Cotta Warriors archeological site.
August 1, 2024 — For a first Viking river cruise in Europe, you can't go wrong with the Danube. The line operates a variety of eight-day segments along the river, allowing you to start or finish in such cities as Amsterdam, Vienna and Budapest. Immersive shore experiences include tours of historic palaces and castles, wine tastings, bike and e-bike city tours, and cooking classes. If ocean cruising appeals to you, first-time cruisers can cruise almost anywhere on the globe with Viking. A good first choice is a Mediterranean cruise that allows you to see such iconic cities as Athens, Rome, Barcelona and Venice.
July 31, 2024 — Viking's fans love the ships' serene Scandinavian-inspired decor, complimentary spa thermal area and pricing that includes wine and beer with lunch and dinner, gratuities and one free shore excursion per port. The ships do not have an onboard casino, but two pools (one with a retractable roof) offer relaxation during sea days.
July 10, 2024 — True history lovers will not be satisfied with only a week in this rich landscape. Choose Viking for your Eastern Mediterranean cruise, and look for longer itineraries, such as the 15-day "Ancient Mediterranean Antiquities" sailings throughout 2024, 2025 and 2026. The one-way sailing between Rome and Istanbul hits most of the ancient civilization highlights: Naples and Sicily, Italy; Rhodes, Crete and Athens, Greece; and Ephesus, Troy and Istanbul, Turkey.
July 9, 2024 — When you get on a Viking ship, you know what to expect. There are familiar surroundings, no kids onboard, no casinos, no nickel-and-diming, just overall excellence, say T+L readers. With 10 identical 465-cabin ships and a 11th, 499-cabin ship debuting later in 2024, Viking delivers a winning formula of all-inclusive fares that combine meals, beverages, Wifi, gratuities, and a shore excursion in every port with standout itineraries, too. Those destinations include the Caribbean, Alaska, Southeast Asia, China, South America, Australia, and Scandinavia.
June 27, 2024 — Viking ships make seeing the incredible sights of Scandinavia not only possible but comfortable. At the end of a day ashore — sometimes spent on excursions skimming across the waters of fjords in rigid inflatable boats or exploring tiny fishing villages near, or even above, the Arctic Circle — you'll return to relax in one of the best complimentary thermal suites at sea. If that's not enough, you'll also dine on extraordinary cuisine without worrying about extra costs.
June 25, 2024 — Whether you cruise with Viking on one of the company’s many 190-passenger river cruise vessels in Europe, on the line’s 930-passenger ocean cruise ships that sail around the world, or on one of its two 378-passenger expedition ships, you’ll be treated to a fine-tuned cruising experience geared strictly to adults. You need to be age 18 and up to get aboard to enjoy the many perks covered in the all-inclusive fares. Those perks consist of shore excursions in every port, free wine and beer, all meals (including numerous restaurant experiences and nightly seafood buffets), engaging lectures hosted by historians and other experts, and Nordic spas complete with hot sauna, steam room, and a chilly snow grotto.
June 22, 2024 — Viking currently has over 60 ships in their fleet that travel all around the world. You can take an iconic Western Mediterranean trip (Barcelona to Rome), a Grand European tour (Budapest to Amsterdam) or a Great Lakes voyage (Toronto to Minnesota). While many of the ships feature pools, restaurants, a library room and theater, most travelers go for the thrilling excursions and even participate in lectures specifically found on the expedition ships (Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris) that are great for the curious scientist or animal lover.
June 7, 2024 — This 17-day voyage from Los Angeles takes place aboard the Viking Neptune, an all-veranda small ship that carries a maximum of 928 guests. After five days at sea, the first stop is the Big Island, where guests can view Kilauea by helicopter, visit waterfalls, or explore Hilo Bay by kayak. The next port is Oahu, where guests can tour by helicopter, hike Diamond Head, attend a luau, or more. On Kauai, excursions range from an ATV tour of the island to snorkeling along the South Shore. On day 10 in Maui, highlights include Haleakala National Park, snorkeling, and a visit to Maui Ocean Center. The ship then sails to Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can indulge in wine tastings, e-bike tours, and ATV adventures in the Guadalupe Valley. The Viking Neptune returns to Los Angeles the next day.
June 5, 2024 — The Golden Circle is a circular road trip from Reykjavik that can be done in a day. Viking seven-day Iceland cruises include an overnight in Reykjavik, allowing time for an eight-hour excursion on the Golden Circle. The tour includes examples of Iceland’s top geological wonders, including its most famous waterfall, Gullfoss and the Strokkur geyser.
June 1, 2024 — Mmmmmm…Mamsen’s! Sure, aboard Viking Ocean ships, you can grab lunch at the buffet, the grill or in the dining room but sometimes you just crave the wholesome and healthy—yet undeniably delicious—Norwegian dishes available at Mamsen’s. Tucked into the corner of The Explorer’s Lounge, this serene space is the perfect setting to indulge in fragrant pea soup (with or without ham), and open-faced sandwiches like shrimp/tomato/cucumber, gravlox and red onion, roast beef and more, each served with its own delectable dipping sauce. Warm dishes like fish cake on rye are also available. But don’t feel too virtuous! Mamsen’s serves its heart-shaped waffles all day long along with an eye-popping assortment of cakes, tarts and pastries.
April 28, 2024 — The smoky sweetness of Manfredi’s Viking Bistecca. The delectable soft shell crab sushi which, along with other sushi varieties and a vast hot and cold buffet, is available nightly at World Café. The rich split pea soup and delightful Scandinavian open-faced sandwiches of Mamsen’s. The Chef’s Table’s delicate seared halibut in a pool of California olive and herb vinaigrette resting atop crumbled roasted cauliflower and buttered panko. The tender and cheesy oysters Rockefeller and crispy wiener schnitzel at The Restaurant. Afternoon tea, each table bearing a tiered tray heavy with the sweet and the savory, and The Pool Grill’s salads, grilled selections and those heavenly chicken wings. Viking Mars may not have over 40 restaurants like one newly launched megaship boasts, but with choices as outstanding and varied as Viking Mars’, who cares?
April 2, 2024 — Viking commands attention on all waters, with riverboats, ocean liners, and expedition ships plying every continent. So many touches sum up Viking’s willingness for menus to reflect itineraries, and regional dishes and wines are a given. Flourishing herb gardens allow riverboat chefs to pluck the freshest herbs to grace dishes daily. On ocean-going vessels, specialty restaurant Manfredi’s excels in Italian cuisine (bistecca alla Fiorentina is legendary), and Mamsen’s triumphs the line’s Nordic heritage — all bow to the signature waffles.
March 15, 2024 — Eating well is one of the best parts of travel. With multiple dining options onboard the Viking Venus, sure to satisfy the pickiest of palates, dining on the cruise was another ideal feature. My mom and I tried all the different restaurants throughout the 11-day excursion. We especially loved the Italian favorites at Manfredi’s (epic bread basket) and the Nordic brunch at Mamsen’s (still dreaming of the waffles). The Chef’s Table was another specialty eatery with elegant plating for a five-course tasting menu.
March 7, 2024 — Viking's destination-focused itineraries are curated for travelers who are interested in history, science, culture and cuisine, as they feature onboard enrichment like lectures by Viking's resident historians. You'll also find regionally inspired dishes in The Restaurant and special access to unique tours and excursions ashore.
February 29, 2024 — Board Viking Sky to circumnavigate the globe — the ultimate cruise. A Dec. 19 departure from Fort Lauderdale ends up in New York City three months later. In between, you’ll visit 37 countries with the possibility of 83 guided, culturally immersive tours, from Panama and Los Angeles to Tahiti, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Turkey. Although more commonly aligned with river cruises, Viking boasts ocean liners with the same small-ship (930 guests max) nimbleness and sleek, Scandinavian design. Viking Sky’s staterooms garner praise for their private verandas and understated elegance.
February 28, 2024 — On this adults-only cruise line, choose between river, ocean, and expedition vessels. Viking ships sail all seven continents. Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris explore the poles but also sail Niagara, the Great Lakes, and Chilean fjords. While categorized as upper premium, Viking’s ocean and expedition fleet includes many amenities, such as one shore excursion per port, all dining, afternoon tea, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, spa Thermal Suite access, WiFi, and 24-hour room service.
February 23, 2024 — Once you’ve gone outside and frozen yourself stiff, there’s nothing like returning to the warm lights (and warmer service) of your ship. In every port, Viking Venus shone like a beacon in the darkness. Crew put out electric lights to illuminate a path to the ship, creating what Scandinavians call “hygge” – a feeling of coziness – before passengers even step back aboard. And when you brave the polar winds that swirl around the steel gangway and finally step into the warmth of the ship’s interior, Viking’s crew were waiting with hot chocolate and hot toddies to warm passengers up.
February 21, 2024 — There’s the old adage that says you get what you pay for. Viking slays that by consistently delivering more than you’d expect – more amenities, better quality and graceful service, the latter being harder to come by these days in the travel industry.
February 7, 2024 — Viking Neptune: A floating home-away-from-home has never been as luxurious as the stalwart digs found aboard the recently debuted Viking Neptune. In keeping with the luxury cruise line’s ever-popular small-ship formula, the 930-passenger Viking Neptune ticks all the sumptuous seafaring boxes with its all-veranda makeup and sleek Scandinavian style. Viking Sky: Exploring the world is an endeavor worth undertaking on the luxurious Viking Sky — especially when sumptuous staterooms come standard with king-sized beds and private ocean-view verandas. Like the vessels crewed by its namesake explorers, the intimate Viking Sky was built to navigate smaller rivers and fjords rather than just vast open seas. A voyage on this 930-passenger ship affords access to more exclusive ports that don’t permit larger liners.
February 5, 2024 — Traverse the Pacific and tour some of the most interesting ports in Asia on this 37-day journey with Viking. Passengers depart Hong Kong in September 2024 on an epic voyage through 20 ports in Taiwan, Japan, Alaska, and Canada. The ports offer immersive activities like exploring temples and shrines in Kyoto and bear watching on Alaska’s Kodiak Island. But it’s the sea days that could prove to be the most scenic. The itinerary takes travelers through some of the most breathtaking stretches of the Pacific, including Japan’s Tsugaru Straits, as well as the glacier-laden Yakutat Bay and Glacier Bay in Alaska before navigating the Inside Passage. Onboard, you’ll also enjoy free access to the ship’s Nordic spa and complimentary 24-hour room service.
January 19, 2024 — Viking is launching three new cruise and land tours in China this year, just as the country is making it easier for American travelers to visit. The cruise company announced it will launch a series of 10- to 20-day trips with stops built in for some of China’s most popular cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
November 21, 2025 — Nothing could wipe the smile off Viking founder, chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen’s face last week in Basel, Switzerland — not a sudden mid-ceremony burst of rain or even a premature bottle smash on the hull of the nearly finished Viking Dagur — as the cruise brand he started 28 years ago achieved the major milestone of becoming the first line to amass a 100-ship fleet.
October 29, 2025 — Viking just celebrated a huge milestone: welcoming its 100th ship to its fleet. Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin covered the ship-naming extravaganza in Basel, Switzerland, and as she reports, Viking is still committed to growth. It has 35 additional river ships in the works, along with 14 ocean ships. As CEO and chairman Torstein Hagen put it: "I think on the rivers, our rate of growth has defined the demand." I'd say he's right.
October 27, 2025 — "We had a vision that we should establish a serious cruise line for serious people." Viking CEO Tor Hagen on their no-kids cruise policy.
October 22, 2025 — By one measure, at least, Viking now rules the cruise world. The fast-growing cruise brand officially welcomed nine new ships to its fleet on Tuesday during an upbeat naming ceremony in Basel, Switzerland, bringing its total to 103. The addition of the new vessels, all designed for river cruising, puts Viking firmly ahead of cruise giant Carnival Corporation for the title of the cruise company with the most ships.
October 22, 2025 — With a push of a button and a smash of Norwegian aquavit, Viking named its 100th ship. It was one of nine river vessels Viking welcomed into its fleet on Oct. 21, in ceremonies across six countries and three continents. The company now has 100-plus ships across its river, ocean and expedition categories. Viking is known for its big, multi-ship naming ceremonies. In 2014 Viking broke its own Guinness World Record when it christened 16 ships in a 24-hour period -- and then inaugurated two more in Portugal.
October 21, 2025 — Viking Holdings CEO Torstein Hagen joins ‘Mad Money’ host Jim Cramer to discuss the milestone of naming the 100th ship, the growth of their ocean business, the strength of the consumer, and more.
September 16, 2025 — Viking has taken delivery of its newest river ship, the Viking Tonle, which will sail exclusively on Southeast Asia’s Mekong River. “Our guests are thinking people who value learning through travel, and the rich history and traditions of Vietnam and Cambodia make this region especially compelling,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman and CEO of Viking. “We are pleased that the addition of the Viking Tonle to our fleet allows us to welcome even more curious travelers to the Mekong River and the cultural treasures of Southeast Asia.” Built specifically for the Mekong River and the 15-day Magnificent Mekong itinerary, the Viking Tonle joins its sister ship, the Viking Saigon.
September 3, 2025 — Viking executives say the company’s strictness on what its vacations will and will not be helps keep ships full in the face of new competition in the river space and a sea of larger, kid-friendly boats teeming with entertainment and rides. Guests on Viking ships attend lectures about their trip’s destinations from resident historians and listen to classical music. Rather than pool parties and waterslides, a Viking cruiser steps into quieter pools and snow grottos, small glass-enclosed rooms filled with man-made snow. “There are very successful floating entertainment palaces,” said Chief Executive Tor Hagen, referring to other cruise operators. “We are really a place where we take grown-ups to interesting places, where they can continue to educate themselves.”
June 16, 2025 — The 11-day trip, which also included new port stops in the German towns of Karlsruhe and Marktheidenfeld, underscores Viking’s large-scale expansion plans in Europe. In all, the company has planned 10 new ships across the continent for 2025 and 2026, along with several new itineraries designed to take advantage of new port options and maximize time spent at beloved Christmas markets along the Rhine, Main, and Seine rivers, Richard Marnell, Viking’s executive vice president of marketing, told Travel Market Report. Ultimately, Marnell said the expansion is necessary to keep up with demand. “The objective for many of our passengers that we’re seeing is to experience as many Viking-perfected itineraries as possible,” Marnell said, adding travelers — especially last-minute cruisers — are currently being blocked out of sailings because they sell out so quickly.
May 20, 2025 — Everyone onboard the Viking Aton gathers by the windows to marvel at the change of weather: a real Egyptian sandstorm. But as quickly as the dust has accumulated in the air, the sun reemerges and we sail onward. It’s nearing the end of my 11-day Egypt experience, and there’s always something new to see. It’s easy to sit on the deck of the sleek Viking river ship—one of six in the cruise line’s Nile fleet—and observe the passing river and its banks. We pass through villages and larger cities, areas of mountainous desert, and rows of palm trees and tangled reeds.
April 30, 2025 — Viking stands out as a leader in balancing luxury with genuine sustainability. As a frontrunner in the clean maritime travel sector, Viking has set the standard by ensuring all of its ocean liners have minimal environmental impact and expeditions that prioritize preservation.
April 29, 2025 — Too soon to plan your Christmas vacation? Bah humbug. Savvy travelers already have their sights set on the holidays—and in particular, the Seine, where Viking has unveiled a new yuletide itinerary. The eight-day tour ushers revelers from Paris to Normandy for an architecture immersion in Rouen, then back to the City of Light. Guests on the route will also have the chance to experience Viking’s latest vessel, Viking Nerthus, so named for the ancient goddess of fertility and earth.
April 10, 2025 — On my ship, the Scandinavian-inspired lines are spare, the woods blonde, the windows panoramic. Which offers an understated framing for Egypt’s riverscapes of verdant grasses, studded rows of bankside palms, and pale sands stretching to distant ridgelines. The Sobek is a cleansed aesthetic palate from which to step onshore every day for another overwhelming encounter with this distant civilization.
February 17, 2025 — This 10-day trip starts with two days on land in Lisbon for a 3.5-hour food tour complete with tastings of cheese, smoked sausage, and pastel de nata (a Portuguese egg custard pastry). Embarkation takes place on the third day in Porto, where the famous port wine comes from. While there, you’ll have the opportunity to visit W. & J. Graham’s, a family-run winery that’s been operating since 1820, to take part in a port tasting and a traditional Portuguese meal. The Douro Valley the river flows through is filled with wine estates, including Mateus Palace, which you will have the chance to tour extensively before enjoying a tasting.
February 15, 2025 — I set about brainstorming. My first thought was an ocean cruise, something both my parents have enjoyed in the past. But the idea of being aboard a large ship with endless activities, numerous decks to navigate, and thousands of other passengers, felt overwhelming to me. Instead, I suggested a European river cruise, a weeklong itinerary aboard the Viking Forseti that started and ended in Bordeaux, France. We would sail the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, past beautiful vineyards and châteaux. And with only four decks, the 95-cabin vessel would, I hoped, be easy for us all to handle.
February 12, 2025 — Viking, which operates more than 80 river ships with another two dozen on order, is nearly synonymous with the form of travel. The company became a household name to travelers after its sponsorship of the PBS “Masterpiece” show “Downton Abbey” brought river ships into Americans’ living rooms for years.
January 29, 2025 — I'm sitting on the 360-degree promenade deck aboard a Viking river cruise, with a glass of wine and a paperback, taking in the silver maples in the high afternoon sun on a bright August day. The water, blue-green and more beautiful than I had expected, hums with steamboats and pontoons. Staff members flit about, delivering cocktails and greeting guests like old friends. With its plentiful blond woods, the stylish ship has the kind of opulence you'd expect on the world's great waterways, from the Nile to the Seine. But I'm on board the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi, custom-built to traverse America's most famous river. Interest in sailing along it has been on the rise since the pandemic, but Viking is the first major luxury liner to offer a trip.
December 26, 2024 — The trip, which departs St. Louis and ends in St. Paul, Minnesota, is one of several itineraries offered by Viking, which launched the Viking Mississippi in 2022. Other voyages run from New Orleans to Memphis or travel almost the full length of the river between New Orleans and St. Paul. My own journey had a focus on the Upper Mississippi, and as we ping-ponged from both sides of the river — Missouri and Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin — I had the chance to visit working dairy farms and plenty of charming small towns, where mom-and-pop shops still thrive and the American dream is alive and well.
November 23, 2024 — Our cruise was on Viking Sobek, one of six custom built Viking river ships for the Nile River. The ship only has 41 cabins and a maximum capacity of 82 guests. It quickly became my favorite river ship I’ve ever sailed on. After the first day on the Nile River, I realized that this was not a trip of a lifetime, but THE trip of a lifetime.
November 2, 2024 — As the newest cruise line to offer fantastic itineraries on the Upper and Lower Mississippi on its Viking Mississippi vessel, Viking provides a glimpse into life along this fascinating waterway. The brand also features fabulous pre- and post-cruise extensions that allow you to continue your trip in the wonderful places the ship visits.
September 27, 2024 — This 12-day Viking itinerary from New Orleans to Memphis is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, Mississippi River cruise that Viking offers, according to staff. Guests on this itinerary will get to see this region’s most sought-after cities as the boat sails from New Orleans to Memphis, visiting Baton Rouge, Darrow, and more in Louisiana, along with stops in Natchez and Vicksburg in Mississippi. Guests will find majestic rows of moss-covered trees that lead to historic homes and former plantations where guided tours of the properties reveal how the French, native Acolapissa, and West African people intertwined. Other aspects of the cruise include learning about Cajun and Creole culture and indulging in culinary tastings.
September 5, 2024 — Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of Viking Mississippi is that it doesn’t feel much like a river cruise ship at all. With a length of 471 feet, a width of 75 feet, and five passenger decks, the feeling onboard is much more akin to a small oceangoing vessel. It’s only when you’re ashore that you become aware that it is, indeed, a river cruise ship. One of the best advantages to having that big-ship feel is that there’s more space to spread out.
August 31, 2024 — While the American crew gives the Viking Mississippi a unique feel compared to the line's ships in Europe, Viking fans will find that the vessel is exactly what they would expect from the Norwegian brand, from its signature Scandinavian themes and decor to what it calls an intuitive design layout. But this is the Mississippi River, and Viking made sure that some of the interior design choices reflect that. The wall of the main staircase, which extends from the Living Room on Deck 1 all the way to Deck 5, features huge renderings of excerpts from chapters in Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," complete with illustrations. That provided a sense of place for the ship and where it's sailing.
August 22, 2024 — Viking Holdings Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen joins ‘Mad Money’ host Jim Cramer to talk quarterly results, affordability and pricing, and more.
August 19, 2024 — Placeres also recommends Viking Cruises, which was established by Torstein Hagen in 1997 and operates river, ocean, and expedition cruises across all seven continents. Viking’s Rhine River cruises range from eight to 15 days, and itineraries go beyond the Rhine to include the Main, Moselle, and a voyage that goes across the North Sea to Norway’s fjords.
August 1, 2024 — For a first Viking river cruise in Europe, you can't go wrong with the Danube. The line operates a variety of eight-day segments along the river, allowing you to start or finish in such cities as Amsterdam, Vienna and Budapest. Immersive shore experiences include tours of historic palaces and castles, wine tastings, bike and e-bike city tours, and cooking classes. If ocean cruising appeals to you, first-time cruisers can cruise almost anywhere on the globe with Viking. A good first choice is a Mediterranean cruise that allows you to see such iconic cities as Athens, Rome, Barcelona and Venice.
July 26, 2024 — Intimate access to Egypt’s ancient UNESCO-credited sites enhanced by Egyptologists’ lectures hallmark Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids cruise on the Nile River. Looping from Cairo, the epic voyage on Viking’s 82-passenger Viking Osiris, purpose-built for cruising the Nile, flows through the Egypt’s 5000-year history with visits to the Pyramids of Giza, the iconic Sphinx, Karnak’s Valley of the Kings, the temples of Luxor, and the artisans of Aswan. Excursions include visits to the Cairo Citadel and Egyptian Museum, local markets, camel rides, and engaging with local artisans at their crafts.
July 11, 2024 — Viking's 12-day Christmas on the Main & Moselle cruise sails between Paris and Prague in 2024 and 2025. The adults-only sailing affords passengers 18 and older the opportunity to visit four European countries: France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. In addition to browsing the chic boutiques in Paris and a variety of Christmas markets in Germany, you'll want to explore iconic landmarks like Reims Cathedral in France and the Luxembourg American Cemetery. Don't miss the famed wines produced in the regions, including Champagne, Moselle, riesling, Müller-Thurgau and gewürztraminer. In Cochem, Germany, you'll want to sample white mulled wine and regional delicacies produced from the red vineyard peach.
June 25, 2024 — Whether you cruise with Viking on one of the company’s many 190-passenger river cruise vessels in Europe, on the line’s 930-passenger ocean cruise ships that sail around the world, or on one of its two 378-passenger expedition ships, you’ll be treated to a fine-tuned cruising experience geared strictly to adults. You need to be age 18 and up to get aboard to enjoy the many perks covered in the all-inclusive fares. Those perks consist of shore excursions in every port, free wine and beer, all meals (including numerous restaurant experiences and nightly seafood buffets), engaging lectures hosted by historians and other experts, and Nordic spas complete with hot sauna, steam room, and a chilly snow grotto.
June 22, 2024 — Viking currently has over 60 ships in their fleet that travel all around the world. You can take an iconic Western Mediterranean trip (Barcelona to Rome), a Grand European tour (Budapest to Amsterdam) or a Great Lakes voyage (Toronto to Minnesota). While many of the ships feature pools, restaurants, a library room and theater, most travelers go for the thrilling excursions and even participate in lectures specifically found on the expedition ships (Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris) that are great for the curious scientist or animal lover.
June 18, 2024 — Vilhjalm sets sail after dark to take in dramatic views of the illuminated city skyline. We glide past the Chain Bridge, the Castle Quarter, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the massive gothic-and-renaissance-revival-style Hungarian Parliament. Viking is passionate about what it calls “destination immersion,” and, to that end, they provide one included shore excursion in every port. Most are walking tours, which are a great way to become oriented to a new destination and make it easy to stay in town for further exploration — or coffee and pastries!
May 27, 2024 — How about making your home away from home a floating one? Viking has several sailings on its "Paris and the Heart of Normandy" Seine river cruises that coincide with the Olympics and are not yet sold out. These cruises spend the first two nights in Paris and conclude with one additional night back in the City of Light. The itinerary also involves a stop in Normandy, France, where you can commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
May 1, 2024 — The Viking longships were purpose-built to navigate the Seine river, which means they can dock at exclusive locations that are super convenient to the sights you want to see. For instance, this cruise began in Paris, and we were docked a mere 20-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. In fact, that’s the first thing I did after boarding the Radgrid, which allowed me to check off my biggest bucket-list item immediately!
April 25, 2024 — The comfortable furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows make both the Lounge and the Dining Room perfect venues to enjoy drinks and meals and group get-togethers. At the bow of the ship, Viking’s signature Aquavit Terrace is a wonderful glass-covered dining area. In good weather dining extends onto the open deck – not a daily feature in late March in northern France. When the sun did come out, Aquavit came to life. For 360 degree views of the scenery, the entire top deck is also a mini-recreation center with a putting green and a walking track.
April 24, 2024 — In the style of all Viking ships, the Rottet Studio–designed Aton is intended for comfortable and thought-provoking exploration—just look to the book-filled shelves in the cabins, curated by London’s Heywood Hill library.
April 19, 2024 — Also worth noting, in 2025, to mark the end of World War II, Viking is operating a number of “Paris & the Heart of Normandy” cruises, which include five nights at the start in London to coincide with the Victory in Europe Day anniversary. (VE Day, which marked the end of WWII in Europe, was May 8, 1945.) This tour offers a chance to visit the key sites involved in the British war effort, including the Cabinet War Rooms in London and Bletchley Park, where the German Enigma code was deciphered.
April 15, 2024 — Want the total Mississippi experience? You can cruise the entire length of this mighty river as you visit 14 cities in seven U.S. states on Viking's two-week sailing. Available three times a year (in July, September and October), the America's Great River cruise begins in Minnesota (either St. Paul or Red Wing) and concludes in New Orleans, allowing you to experience an intricate tapestry of American history and culture.
April 10, 2024 — Viking has established themselves as a major player in both river and ocean cruising by never veering from high cruise standards. The pride that they take in their immaculate ships and attentive staff is well-justified. Previously, we were thoroughly impressed on a pair of Viking Ocean cruise itineraries , but it had been several years since river cruising on the Volga. This French itinerary proved to be just as memorable as those and shows why Viking enjoys such loyalty from past cruise guests.
April 10, 2024 — I am so glad that my first experience visiting a European country went as wonderfully as it did. I credit Viking’s knowledgeable staff and guides for helping me understand the nuances of French culture and daily life, and I know that should I ever return to France, I will be well prepared to enjoy my trip.
April 1, 2024 — Tulips have been an important part of Dutch society since the 16th century, and this festive season is the perfect time for a Viking river cruise. Aboard a Viking longship, you’ll cruise the waterways of the Low Countries, from the windmills and flower fields of Holland to Belgium’s well-preserved medieval cities.
March 29, 2024 — The 386-guest Viking Mississippi spans five decks, making it one of the largest passenger vessels on the Mississippi. Inaugurated in 2022, the ship features a modern Scandinavian design with an infinity pool and a two-story Explorers’ Lounge observation area similar to its ocean ships. Directly in front of the Explorer’s Lounge is an expanded outdoor seating area known as The Bow. Three restaurants serve both Southern regional cuisine and international favorites.
March 22, 2024 — Viking celebrated the floating out of its newest purpose-built ship for the Nile River, the Viking Hathor, which is expected to debut this August. The float out is a key construction milestone in shipbuilding and is the first time the ship touches water. The 82-guest river ship is being built at the Massara shipyard in Cairo and will now undergo its final stages of construction.
March 20, 2024 — With the arrival of spring comes the return of the busy river cruise high-season in Europe, and Viking’s Longship fleet is celebrating the launch of itineraries on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, and other scenic rivers. From Amsterdam and Avignon to Salzburg and Vienna, river cruisers can crisscross the continent on the Longships, each with capacity for under 200 guests.
March 4, 2024 — On a recent Christmas Market cruise along the Danube with Viking Cruises, my enthusiasm for these hot wines was rekindled. Every city we visited had multiple stands selling variations of local wines, heated, and enhanced with different spices. Each city too had a unique ceramic mug that the wine was served in.
March 1, 2024 — While a degree of consistency from ship to ship is important for branding—and to make Viking’s legion of repeat customers feel at home—the design of each cruiser reflects its unique location. In Aton’s atrium, for instance, four monolithic columns crafted of locally quarried stone relate to monumental Egyptian architecture, in particular the ancient site of Abu Simbel on the bank of Lake Nasser, which is fronted by four statues of Ramses II. The library on the upper deck is replete with themed volumes curated by London bookshop Heywood Hill. (Yes, there are several copies of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile.) Even the structure itself reflects the location, as it was partially dictated by constraints including the Nile’s shallow depth and low bridges.
February 6, 2024 — America’s greatest waterway gets the luxe treatment with this new Viking offering, which debuted in 2022. Start in St. Paul, Minnesota and journey through 10 states until ending in New Orleans, Louisiana.
January 19, 2024 — The doyen of Europe's waterways is the adults-only Viking Cruises, a multifaceted cruise line that also boasts a fleet of ocean and expedition vessels. With 55 Nordic-inspired “Longships” sailing mainland Europe—including the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône and Elbe—plus four ships on Portugal's River Douro, Viking has an itinerary for every type of river cruiser. The cruise line’s soothing Scandinavian aesthetic combines a chic design with spacious accommodations that include river views or private verandas, and sails also include drinks during mealtimes, shore excursions and Wi-Fi.
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