• Condé Nast Traveler: Experience the Most Extraordinary Voyages in the World With Viking

    October 3, 2023 — A Viking cruise puts the magic of your destination at center stage, while ensuring your comfort and enrichment at every turn. It’s no surprise that Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Viking to the top of the River, Ocean, and Expedition cruise categories in the 2023 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards—the first time a travel company has been voted number one across these three categories simultaneously.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Cruise Lines in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards

    October 3, 2023 — When Viking was founded in 1997, it focused solely on river cruising in Europe. It soon expanded its operations to other rivers around the world, followed by the oceans in 2013. The expedition branch of the company, however, was only launched in 2020—the first ship, Viking Octantis, is a 378-passenger vessel that made her debut in early 2022. Her sister, Viking Polaris, made her inaugural voyage later in the year.

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  • Virtuoso: Testing the Waters – A Brand-New Cruiser Takes on Antarctica

    October 1, 2023 — I boarded the 378-passenger Viking Polaris a skeptical but game cruiser. I've always loved planning my own activities when I travel, and here I'd have less control over my day-to-day. Fortunately, I found I enjoyed the freedom to sip Baileys in the outdoor hot tub or swing by the spa's steam room, cold bucket shower, and sauna.

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  • Artful Living: Aboard Viking Polaris' High Seas Excursion to Antarctica

    September 13, 2023 — Despite my travels, I’ve never considered myself a cruiser but more of a rugged sailing type who would rather spend a week barefoot on a boat. This sentiment changed in short order upon experiencing the Polaris, which feels like a luxury boutique hotel on water. The decor gives off Scandinavian chic vibes, the food rivals a Michelin-starred restaurant and the service is absolutely extraordinary.

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  • Lavender: A Fall Getaway on the Great Lakes with Viking

    September 7, 2023 — The allure of the Great Lakes in autumn is undeniable. As the leaves begin to shift from green to shades of gold and red, the lakes stand as vast, tranquil mirrors reflecting the changing season. This year, I decided to immerse myself in this spectacle, choosing Viking’s Expedition ship, the Polaris, as my vessel of discovery. With the promise of exploring three iconic lakes on the itinerary, I was eager to delve into the unique character and offerings of each.

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  • Porthole: A Voyage of Love: The Best Cruise Lines for Honeymooners

    August 10, 2023 — On this adult-only cruise line, every passenger is treated like a VIP guest. Each stateroom has a private veranda, providing the perfect setting for you and your partner to savor a glass of wine and gaze upon the tranquil waters of the open ocean. Viking Cruises offers some of the most romantic all-inclusive getaways offered at sea. With captivating itineraries like the Mediterranean and Polynesia, any couple is sure to have a dream honeymoon. Regardless of your itinerary, every Viking Cruises vessel has six complimentary restaurants onboard, all with a captivating ocean view.

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  • National Post: Great Lakes Cruise Reveals Wonders In Own Backyard

    August 9, 2023 — Sailing on lakes Superior, Huron and Michigan aboard Viking Octantis is a kaleidoscope of rugged landscapes defined by rock, water and trees. Craggy shorelines, dense forests of black spruce, poplar and jack pine, plus a smattering of sleepy lakeside communities stir memories of carefree summers spent in northern Ontario. Add seemingly endless expanses of water, where no shorelines are visible, and it becomes clear what makes the Great Lakes Explorer itinerary an expedition and not simply a cruise.

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  • Mashed: Viking Provides The Bougiest Cruise Food

    August 8, 2023 — According to Food & Wine readers, the cruise line that offers the best culinary experience overall is Viking. A ticket for a Viking cruise does include all restaurant meals as well as snacks and drinks from an in-suite mini-bar, and the dining options — similar to Vikings themselves — span the globe from Italian to sushi. The ships do, however, feature certain Scandinavian specialties, some said to be based on recipes from the cruise line founder's mother.

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  • Forbes: The Best Cruises For Adults

    August 1, 2023 — When asked to envision a cruise, chances are you might summon images of kids wailing down waterslides, dripping in ice cream and building sandcastles, typically what you see in the many candy-colored ads from mega cruise ships. But those are far from the only cruise options out there for grown-ups who want to get away from it all. The best cruises for adults cater to adult guests with high-brow luxuries or dedicated spaces—and some even don’t allow kids on board, period.

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  • Falstaff: Adventures On Thin Ice: Notes On A Mother Daughter Trip To Antarctica

    July 28, 2023 — When I first signed on for the Antarctic Explorer expedition aboard the Viking Polaris, there was no doubt in my mind about who I would bring as my guest. She cried upon receiving the news — and later, upon seeing the icy continent for the very first time. It’s rare to be able to give someone such a powerful gift, and if you have the opportunity, may I say: Always bring your mother.

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  • Forbes: Viking Founder Torstein Hagen Checks Off A 65 Year Old Bucket List Item

    July 25, 2023 — Every once in a while, work and play come together in an unexpected, magical moment. And that’s why Viking Founder/Chairman, Torstein Hagen, recently found himself in a post office in Ushuaia, Argentina – the world’s southernmost city, nicknamed the “End of the World” – fulfilling a childhood wish from 65 years ago.

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  • Travel + Leisure: Readers’ 5 Favorite Small-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines of 2023

    July 11, 2023 — Typically thought of as a midsize-ship line, Viking took top honors in this category, too, thanks to its twin ships Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis. The expedition vessels, both of which have 189 cabins, are built for out-there adventures, whether on the waters of the Great Lakes or in the Southern Ocean on the way to Antarctica.

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  • Eye On Travel: Onboard the Viking Octantis

    June 17, 2023 — This week’s broadcast of Eye on Travel is from the Viking Octantis as it sails the Great Lakes from Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Lake Michigan), into Lake Huron and Lake Superior into Thunder Bay, Canada. Peter has all the latest news updates. Plus the Mayor of Milwaukee Cavalier Johnson discusses the evolution of his city into an arts and food capital, not to mention the gateway to the Great Lakes. And why Milwaukee’s Mitchell Field is really Chicago’s third airport. We’ll talk history and fudge on Mackinac Island, and Peter submerges in Fraser Bay — a UNESCO world heritage biosphere — on one of the Octantis submarines to the bottom of Lake Huron.

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  • CNBC: Viking chairman: We appeal to the 'thinking person' which has been very favorable for us

    June 16, 2023 — Torstein Hagen, Viking chairman and founder, joins ‘The Exchange’ to discuss a rebound in travel following the pandemic, pricing packages for Viking Cruises, and opportunities for older consumers looking to travel.

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  • TravelPulse: The Rise And Fall And Rise Again Of Viking’s Torstein Hagen

    June 14, 2023 — The 25-year ascent of Viking to become one of the world’s most consequential cruise lines is quite a story. Especially when it is told by the company’s forthright founder Torstein Hagen.

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  • News 5 Cleveland: Cleveland welcomes new Viking cruise ship Polaris for first of 8 visits this season

    June 13, 2023 — Long, tall and majestic, the brand new Viking Cruise Ship Polaris made its way into the Port of Cleveland Tuesday. The six-story, 665-foot-long ship is the two-week home for 378 guests making their way from Toronto to Duluth, Minnesota, across all five Great Lakes—the major selling point for Jim and Jane from South Carolina.

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  • Forbes: The Viking Cruise Vision: Steadfast And Unflappable

    June 12, 2023 — Viking guests remain fiercely loyal to the line because it offers what they want both on the rivers and oceans. They appreciate the modern ships, attentive service and broad choices of itineraries.

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  • Fox News: Viking on Cruise Industry Resurgence

    June 8, 2023 — Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen discusses the cruise industry’s resurgence after the pandemic on ‘Your World’ as they are 93% booked for 2023.

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  • Reader’s Digest: I've Been on 25 Cruises, but a Trip to Antarctica Changed Me in Ways I Never Expected

    June 7, 2023 — After 25 cruises on the best cruise lines, I was convinced I knew everything about cruising and that, yes, it really was all about the journey rather than the destination. And then I sailed on Viking Polaris to Antarctica last December, and the destination was impossible to consider secondary.

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  • Food & Wine: This Is the Best Cruise for Food, As Voted on by Our Readers

    April 18, 2023 — While one strategy rolled out by many lines has been focusing on quantity with a dizzying variety of ho-hum options, that’s never been part of the plan for Viking Cruises, which our readers voted the overall best cruise for food in the world.

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  • Smithsonian Magazine: How Vacationers on Arctic Cruises Are Filling in Scientific Gaps

    March 7, 2023 — Cocooned inside a submarine, I held my breath in anticipation as the vessel slowly descended beneath the surface of the Southern Ocean off the coast of Antarctica. Looking out the bubble-shaped acrylic window of the small, seven-person submersible, I watched the water go from bright aquamarine to inky black as we dove deeper and deeper, leaving behind the bright white snow and the last rays of sunlight.

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  • MSN: Extremely rare phantom jellyfish caught on camera

    February 10, 2023 — In the ethereal blue glow of the water, a huge shape swept toward them. Around 30 feet long, with four billowing arms and a domed head, the creature was larger than the tourists’ personal submersible. This startling sight occurred hundreds of feet underwater off the coast of Antarctica’s Rongé Island. When they returned to their Viking Expeditions cruise ship and showed photos to Daniel M. Moore, a marine biologist with Exeter University in the U.K., he knew they’d seen “something incredibly rare.”

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  • Travel + Leisure: These New Viking Expedition Ships Will Sail Longitudinal World Cruises and to the Great Lakes — Submarine Excursions Included

    October 7, 2022 — “Go big or go home” isn’t the official Viking motto, but it sure feels like the company’s mantra. Long dominant in river cruising and now a major player (and Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards winner) in midsize-ship ocean cruising, the company has recently and definitively moved into a new market: expedition cruising. 

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  • Forbes: Viking’s Second Expedition Ship Sets Sail: Meet The Viking Polaris

    October 6, 2022 — The brand new expedition ship from Viking has set sail and is on her way to South America and then on to Antarctica, where she will join sister ship Viking Octantis for the southern hemisphere’s summer. 

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  • The Points Guy: Fast-growing Viking doubles down on adventure cruising with a second expedition cruise ship

    September 30, 2022 — With more than a hundred Viking executives, business partners, passengers and media looking on, the company officially welcomed the 378-passenger ship, Viking Polaris, with a short but upbeat naming ceremony along the waterfront of Amsterdam.

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  • Cruise Critic: Viking Christens Two New Expedition Ships at Ceremony in Amsterdam As Part of 25th Anniversary Celebrations

    September 30, 2022 — Viking christened both its new expedition ships -- Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris -- at a joint ceremony in Amsterdam today. The line chose the first two women to cross Antarctica -- Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft -- as godmothers to the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, respectively. 

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  • Travel Weekly: Viking takes delivery of Polaris, its second expedition ship

    September 29, 2022 — The Viking Polaris has been delivered, It is the second expedition ship to join the Viking fleet in less than a year.  Vard Group delivered the ship on Sept. 27 in Soviknes, Norway. Polaris, named after the North Star, is Viking's second expedition ship, built for sailing in Antarctica and the Great Lakes. The ship joins the Viking Octantis, conversely named after the pole star in the southern hemisphere. That ship was delivered in December 2021. 

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  • Newsweek: America's Best Customer Service 2023

    August 31, 2022 — Viking ranked #1 on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Customer Service Brands in the transportation and travel cruise category for the third consecutive year.
     

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  • Travel Weekly: Exploring the Great Lakes on Viking Octantis

    July 22, 2022 — The difference between expedition ships and large cruise vessels, said Torstein Hagen, founder and chairman of Viking, is that large ships are not welcome in nearly as many places. “We come here and we're welcome everywhere,” he said last month onboard the 378-passenger Octantis, then on its third Great Lakes voyage. “It's quite nice. Refreshing.”

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  • AFAR: The Hottest Cruise Destination of 2022 Isn’t Where You Might Think

    June 28, 2022 — This new, state-of-the-art, long and narrow expedition ship was built for Southern Hemisphere summers in Antarctica and is spending Northern Hemisphere summers in the Great Lakes.

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  • Cruise Critic: What It's Like Sailing the Great Lakes With Viking: Just back from Viking Octantis

    June 27, 2022 — The 665-foot-long, Polar Class 6 ship carries 378 guests and 256 crewmembers and sailed its inaugural in Antarctica before heading north. It is summering in the Great Lakes region before heading back to the Antarctic and other destinations.

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  • Travel Weekly: Viking Octantis well-equipped for luxury expeditions

    June 27, 2022 — As the submarine lowered itself about 50 feet below the surface, they got their first glimpse of the bottom of Lake Huron's Georgian Bay. Guests will find a series of toys like this while sailing the Octantis, Viking's first expedition ship, which will be followed by sister ship Viking Polaris, due out this fall.

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  • Travel Awaits: 6 Fascinating Facts About Viking’s New Expedition Ship Octantis

    June 25, 2022 — Viking recently launched the newest member of its fleet: the expedition ship Octantis. With its current itineraries focused on the Great Lakes and Antarctica, the gorgeous vessel seamlessly transitions between the serious science conducted on-board, and the high-end travel option Viking’s become recognized and lauded for during the past 25 years.

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  • TravelPulse: What’s Special About Great Lakes Cruises?

    May 18, 2022 — One such cruise line to expand into the Great Lakes is Viking Cruises. Known for luxurious river cruises, the cruise line launched its first expedition ship, the Viking Octantis, in Antarctica before making its way into the Great Lakes for its inaugural Great Lakes season earlier this month.

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  • Travel Weekly: Viking completes its first Great Lakes voyage

    May 9, 2022 — Viking on May 6 completed its inaugural Great Lakes voyage on the new Viking Octantis, the largest cruise ship to sail the Great Lakes. Viking is offering three Great Lakes itineraries this year on the 378-passenger expedition ship.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: The Best New Cruises in the World: 2022 Hot List

    May 3, 2022 — This 378-passenger expedition ship, which just wrapped her first season in Antarctica, is an exciting departure from the European river cruising Viking has staked its reputation on.

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  • The Jet Set: The Thinking Persons Adventure

    April 25, 2022 — The Octantis, named for the southern star, is an extensive enrichment experience. Understated elegance and attention to detail, distinct Viking characteristics are around every corner.

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  • Cruise Critic: Viking Octantis Cruise - Ship Review

    April 25, 2022 — With the introduction of Viking Octantis, Viking Cruises has firmly planted its flag in the expedition cruising world. Octantis is the cruise line’s first ship dedicated to adventure cruising, and it is simply excellent. Viking has built a reputation on its river and ocean cruise ships for considering every detail, and on Viking Octantis, the company has taken this to the next level.

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  • Forbes: New Viking Octantis Carves Unique Niche In Expedition Cruising

    April 21, 2022 — This new Polar Class 6 expedition vessel is a product of Hagen’s visionary leadership as well as a testament to his moxie. Although the occasion was low-key, the excitement of the first guests, visitors, and crew on board was palpable.

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  • TODAY: Vacationing while protecting Earth is the new big draw for travelers

    April 19, 2022 — A growing number of tourists are looking for ways to travel sustainably, looking to see the sights and protect them—and that’s making cruise liners, car companies and the tourism agency readjust. NBC’s Jessie Kirsch reports for TODAY.

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  • AFAR: The Best Ships for Antarctica Sailings And When to Book

    April 7, 2022 — Viking Expeditions (part of the larger Viking cruise company that also operates a river and ocean line) is new in Antarctica with the 378-passenger, polar-class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, ships that combine the comforts of traditional cruising with expedition adventures.

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  • The Points Guy: The types of Viking cruise ships, explained

    April 3, 2022 — Viking is unusual among major cruise lines in that it operates both ocean ships and river ships. But despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: What It's Like to Sail to Antarctica on Viking's Luxe New Expedition Ship

    March 16, 2022 — Just last week I sat in a Norwegian hot tub known as a badestamp, the steam rising to meet the crisp air of Antarctica that flushed my cheeks. As our ship sailed at a leisurely pace past brilliant blue icebergs, I kept an eye out for the occasional crabeater seal—usually perched on ice floes, they’d lazily lift their heads to glance over at us. I lived like that—in this delicate sweet spot where great adventure and comfort meet—for a full eleven days on board the brand-new Viking Octantis.

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  • Forbes: Celebrate World Whale Day With A Trip To One Of These Amazing Whale Watching Destinations

    February 17, 2022 — There’s a brand new way to spot whales in Antarctica: Officially launched February 16, 2022, Viking Cruises will visit Antarctica with its two new 378-passenger Viking Expeditions ships, Viking Octantis and, later this year, Viking Polaris.

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  • The Points Guy: The 7 most anticipated new cruise ships of 2022

    February 15, 2022 — Fast-growing Viking has rolled out more than 70 new river cruise ships and oceangoing vessels since its founding in 1997. But there’s never been one like this. Designed to hold just 378 passengers, Viking Octantis is the line’s first “expedition” cruise ship — a type of cruise ship specifically designed to take travelers to the most off-the-beaten-path parts of the world, including Antarctica and the Arctic.

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  • Toronto Star: Vacation ships on Great Lakes

    February 10, 2022 — Beginning in late May, the Thunder Bay cruise ship port will be bustling with travellers arriving on the Viking Expeditions’ Viking Octantis.

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  • Forbes: Viking Takes Delivery Of Viking Octantis, Line’s First Expedition Ship

    December 23, 2021 — Yearning to get away from it all? Viking just announced that it has taken delivery of the Viking Octantis, the first of two new purpose-built expedition cruise ships that will join the fleet in 2022. These additions will allow the line to transport its guests to all seven continents.

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  • Travel + Leisure: This New Viking Cruise Will Take You to All 5 Great Lakes in 15 Days

    November 8, 2021 — If ever you’ve wanted to experience all five of North America’s Great Lakes in a single trip, here’s your chance. Viking Expeditions is launching a new 15-day Great Lakes itinerary for summer 2023 starting in Toronto and sails to Duluth, Minn. — giving passengers the chance to experience each of the five Great Lakes — the cruise company announced recently.

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  • Cruise Critic: Viking Cruise News: Expedition Cruise Ships To Have COVID-19 Testing Labs

    August 30, 2021 — Viking's expedition ships, coming in late 2021 and 2022, will have onboard lab facilities so passengers can be tested for COVID-19, the cruise line's founder and chairman said. The move extends the health and safety practices that Viking instituted on its ocean cruise ships when cruising resumed in May. Viking is the only cruise line to have a full PCR testing labratory onboard.

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  • CNBC: Viking chairman on cruise demand: Bookings up 42% for 2022 over 2019

    August 10, 2021 — Chairman Torstein Hagen joins ‘Squawk on the Street’ to discuss the Viking Health & Safety Program and the path forward.

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  • CNN: Here’s how Viking Cruises plans to welcome back vaccinated guests

    April 28, 2021 — Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen talks to CNN’s Richard Quest on “Quest Means Business” to discuss our plans for welcoming vaccinated guests back on board our ocean ships in 2021.

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  • Viking.TV: Exploring the world in comfort…from home

    Forbes: Free Virtual Entertainment From Viking Cruises: Yes, You Can Enjoy Travel Fun At Home

    February 21, 2021 — Applause to travel companies that have gone the extra mile during the pandemic by creatively developing free virtual entertainment. One of the best and brightest roll-outs to build community and share positive experiences comes from Viking Cruises, which launched, in April 2020, a new digital platform called Viking.TV, available online. Now approaching its one year anniversary, Viking.TV has amassed an impressive collection of engaging original cultural content and live-stream video adventures.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: 10 Memorable Cruises for Every Occasion

    February 9, 2021 — Ahhh, retirement—when you finally have enough time to embrace the good life. In 2022, Viking offers just the ticket to celebrate with its new Viking Expeditions arm, dubbed “the thinking person’s expedition.” Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are influenced by Scandinavian design and fit up to 378 passengers per ship. Each vessel includes a working laboratory for resident scientists, plus fun expedition toys like Zodiacs, kayaks, and twin submarines.

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  • Cruise Critic: Viking Octantis Launches, Begins Wave of New Expedition Cruise Vessels

    January 4, 2021 — Viking Cruises' foray into the exciting and growing world of expedition cruising came one step closer to reality in December, when the line successfully floated out its first purpose-built expedition vessel, Viking Octantis.

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  • Fox Business: Affordable vacation ideas in the year ahead include four cruise options: Here's what to know

    November 13, 2023 — Viking’s ocean ships are truly spectacular vessels, and they sail some phenomenal itineraries – from the Mediterranean to Norway’s fjords. The ships themselves are beautiful and they’re all pretty much exactly the same.

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  • Porthole: Viking Cruises Honored with Six Awards

    November 2, 2023 — Viking received numerous awards from U.S. News & World Report and Silver Travel Advisor for Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples, and Best Line in the Mediterranean. Viking.TV also won Silver Standout for Innovation, marking its third consecutive win since launch. Silver Travel Advisor named Viking #1 for Rivers and Oceans in the Best Premium or Luxury Cruise Line category.  

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  • AFAR: 7 Caribbean Cruises We Love

    October 27, 2023 — For those seeking more than just a beach scene, Viking Cruises offers a broad selection of daily tours focused on cultural and natural attractions in its all-inclusive pricing. Onboard the 930-passenger Viking Sea, sailing from San Juan on a 10-night West Indies Explorer itinerary, passengers visit nine countries with the opportunity to deeply immerse themselves in the Caribbean’s British, French, Dutch, and African history.

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  • U.S. News & World Report: The Best New Cruise Ships for 2024

    October 25, 2023 — The 930-passenger Viking Saturn is the ninth ship in the Viking Ocean Cruises fleet and identical in design to its eight sister ships. The all-veranda vessel offers six categories of accommodations ranging from the 270-square-foot Veranda Stateroom to the spacious 1,448-square-foot Owner's Suite. On board, guests will enjoy the sleek, elegant Scandinavian-inspired public spaces and lounges. The line's enrichment program includes lectures with resident historians, TED Talks and sessions with world-renowned guest speakers. There are eight dining venues featuring destination-focused cuisine, the Nordic Spa with its snow grotto, two pools and hot tubs, and a sports deck.

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  • Explore: This Stunning Cruise Itinerary Allows You To See The Best Of Northern Europe

    October 10, 2023 — Viking is a good fit as a cruise company for passengers who are looking for an itinerary that infuses rich culture and history into the sailing experience. Viking Ocean Cruises has a fleet of nine passenger ships that each carry upward of 930 passengers. The smaller stature of these ships allows the company to operate within more exclusive ports worldwide, including those that adorn the coast of Northern Europe.

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  • Cruise Fever: 6 Best Cruise Lines for a Quiet and Relaxing Vacation

    October 6, 2023 — The simple elegance and decidedly Norwegian design of a Viking ocean ship is calming and relaxing in itself.  From the heated and covered pools to the amazing thermal suites (which are free to all guests) to the quiet but refreshing Wintergarden at teatime, Viking ships have so many quiet and comfy places to enjoy the views I cannot list them all here.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: Experience the Most Extraordinary Voyages in the World With Viking

    October 3, 2023 — A Viking cruise puts the magic of your destination at center stage, while ensuring your comfort and enrichment at every turn. It’s no surprise that Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Viking to the top of the River, Ocean, and Expedition cruise categories in the 2023 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards—the first time a travel company has been voted number one across these three categories simultaneously.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Cruise Lines in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards

    October 3, 2023 — Originally a river cruise line, Viking has launched nine ocean-going vessels since 2015 (not including expedition ships), the most recent being the Viking Saturn, whose maiden voyage took place in May 2023. The ships are nearly identical, carrying 930 passengers each, housed in balcony staterooms. Though not all-inclusive, Viking Ocean offers guests one free excursion in each port (the ships primarily sail Northern Europe, though there are some Mediterranean itineraries, too), beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and an unlimited Wi-Fi connection.

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  • Cruise Critic: Expert Review of the Viking Mars Cruise Ship

    August 25, 2023 — Introduced in 2022 as Viking's seventh ocean ship, Viking Mars follows the exact blueprint of its sister ships. And therein lies its appeal: repeat cruisers appreciate the sense of familiarity aboard the 930-passenger ship, while newcomers are charmed by its stylish design and intuitive layout.

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  • OC Register: Travel: Norway’s Far North is a Land of Trolls, Midnight Sun and Polar Bears

    August 16, 2023 — Eccentric Longyearbyen was the next-to-last stop on our 14-night strikingly scenic “Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer” cruise aboard the Viking Saturn. Passengers are actually only in Iceland one full day which was enough to visit bird bonanza Vigur Island, home to just three humans, 7,000 breeding eider ducks and more than 100,000 cartoonish puffins. Indeed, this entire Viking sailing was far, far north and at times far-out.

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  • Porthole: A Voyage of Love: The Best Cruise Lines for Honeymooners

    August 10, 2023 — On this adult-only cruise line, every passenger is treated like a VIP guest. Each stateroom has a private veranda, providing the perfect setting for you and your partner to savor a glass of wine and gaze upon the tranquil waters of the open ocean. Viking Cruises offers some of the most romantic all-inclusive getaways offered at sea. With captivating itineraries like the Mediterranean and Polynesia, any couple is sure to have a dream honeymoon. Regardless of your itinerary, every Viking Cruises vessel has six complimentary restaurants onboard, all with a captivating ocean view.

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  • Mashed: Viking Provides The Bougiest Cruise Food

    August 8, 2023 — According to Food & Wine readers, the cruise line that offers the best culinary experience overall is Viking. A ticket for a Viking cruise does include all restaurant meals as well as snacks and drinks from an in-suite mini-bar, and the dining options — similar to Vikings themselves — span the globe from Italian to sushi. The ships do, however, feature certain Scandinavian specialties, some said to be based on recipes from the cruise line founder's mother.

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  • Tasting Table: 13 Best Cruise Line Restaurants

    August 7, 2023 — Considering its Norse name, and the fact that the fleet sails to Norway, it's only fitting that Viking cruise line features a Scandinavian restaurant rooted in Norwegian tradition. So named for the mother of Viking chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen (mamsen means "mum" in Norwegian), the cute and sunny eatery serves up atypical cruise fare like traditional heart-shaped waffles from the Explorer's Lounge of Viking's ocean ships.

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  • Forbes: The Best Cruises For Adults

    August 1, 2023 — When asked to envision a cruise, chances are you might summon images of kids wailing down waterslides, dripping in ice cream and building sandcastles, typically what you see in the many candy-colored ads from mega cruise ships. But those are far from the only cruise options out there for grown-ups who want to get away from it all. The best cruises for adults cater to adult guests with high-brow luxuries or dedicated spaces—and some even don’t allow kids on board, period.

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  • Forbes: Viking Founder Torstein Hagen Checks Off A 65 Year Old Bucket List Item

    July 25, 2023 — Every once in a while, work and play come together in an unexpected, magical moment. And that’s why Viking Founder/Chairman, Torstein Hagen, recently found himself in a post office in Ushuaia, Argentina – the world’s southernmost city, nicknamed the “End of the World” – fulfilling a childhood wish from 65 years ago.

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  • Travel + Leisure: Readers’ 5 Favorite Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines of 2023

    July 11, 2023 — Viking took the No. 1 spot in this category for the second year in a row, thanks to its consistent excellence. It starts with the brand’s many identical ocean-going ships, of which Viking now has 10, including the newest, Viking Saturn.

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  • Joe's Daily: Viking Ocean Cruises Review: Luxury Cruising At Its Finest

    July 8, 2023 — Viking Ocean Cruises offers a unique and personal experience that distinguishes it from other cruise lines. This isn’t your typical cruise where the ship is merely a vessel to move you from one place to the next. Instead, Viking Ocean Cruises invites you on a journey that feels deeply personal and thoughtfully curated.

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  • CNBC: Viking chairman: We appeal to the 'thinking person' which has been very favorable for us

    June 16, 2023 — Torstein Hagen, Viking chairman and founder, joins ‘The Exchange’ to discuss a rebound in travel following the pandemic, pricing packages for Viking Cruises, and opportunities for older consumers looking to travel.

    Read the full article >

  • TravelPulse: The Rise And Fall And Rise Again Of Viking’s Torstein Hagen

    June 14, 2023 — The 25-year ascent of Viking to become one of the world’s most consequential cruise lines is quite a story. Especially when it is told by the company’s forthright founder Torstein Hagen.

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  • Travel Weekly: What You'll Find on The Viking Saturn (and Other Viking Ships)

    June 13, 2023 — As a cruise company, Viking is well known for doing things a little differently. As chairman Torstein Hagen says: “We're quite different from the big guys. We're very proud of what we are.” One of the ways Viking differentiates itself is to make all of its oceangoing ships exactly the same in size, layout and design.

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  • Forbes: The Viking Cruise Vision: Steadfast And Unflappable

    June 12, 2023 — Viking guests remain fiercely loyal to the line because it offers what they want both on the rivers and oceans. They appreciate the modern ships, attentive service and broad choices of itineraries.

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  • Fox News: Viking on Cruise Industry Resurgence

    June 8, 2023 — Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen discusses the cruise industry’s resurgence after the pandemic on ‘Your World’ as they are 93% booked for 2023.

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  • Travel Weekly: Viking introduces its 10th ocean ship, the Saturn, in New York

    June 7, 2023 — Viking named its 10th oceangoing ship, the Viking Saturn, in an event on June 6 that included performances by Metropolitan Opera singers and a blessing by godmother Ann Ziff, chairwoman of the Met Opera. The ship was docked in New York for the ceremony and the naming took place on the Saturn's bow, facing the Hudson River. Ziff used a sword from the Met's production of "Il Trovatore" to cut a ribbon that released a bottle of aquavit into the Saturn's hull.

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  • Daily Beast: The Unique Cruise Beloved by Cruise Fanatics

    May 12, 2023 — Crossing an ocean, on the water, is still a big deal—even when you do it on a cushy cruise liner. Day after day, just surrounded by liquid horizons on every side. Steaming between continents, like explorers did way back when they navigated the seven seas in creaky wooden vessels moved by the power of the wind.

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  • Food & Wine: This Is the Best Cruise for Food, As Voted on by Our Readers

    April 18, 2023 — While one strategy rolled out by many lines has been focusing on quantity with a dizzying variety of ho-hum options, that’s never been part of the plan for Viking Cruises, which our readers voted the overall best cruise for food in the world.

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  • Travel + Leisure: 7 of the Best Northern Lights Cruises

    March 4, 2023 — Over the course of 13 days, a luxurious Viking ocean ship transports guests from London to Amsterdam, then all the way up the coast of Norway and north of the Arctic Circle, before returning back south to the Norwegian city of Bergen. (Although some sailings operate in reverse.) The Norwegian fjords themselves are a sight to behold — and if they're paired with the northern lights, that's all the better!

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  • Travel + Leisure: The Newest Viking Ship Was Named by an Aquanaut — and Just Set Sail on a 138-day World Cruise

    January 10, 2023 — In a naming ceremony over the weekend, Viking officially welcomed its newest ship, Viking Neptune, into its ever-growing fleet. The 930-passenger vessel, a sibling to seven other ocean ships — soon to be eight, with the launch of Viking Saturn later this year — all of which have celestial namesakes. It was only appropriate, then, to have a retired NASA astronaut serve as Viking Neptune's godmother. And not just an astronaut, but an aquanaut, too.

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  • Travel + Leisure: The 17 Best Trips Our Travel Editors Took This Year

    December 22, 2022 — It was almost a year ago now, but I still daydream about ringing in the start of 2022 in Rome. Rather than spend the holidays at home, my wife and I hopped aboard the Viking Venus in Athens and spent Christmas in the middle of the Mediterranean.

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  • U.S. News & World Report: Best Cruise Lines for Couples

    November 15, 2022 — Whether you're in the infinity pool, by the common area's fireplace or on your stateroom's veranda, Viking Ocean Cruises' adults-only ships offer ample ways to cuddle up with your loved one while taking in your surroundings.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: The Top Cruise Lines in the World: 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards: Medium Ship Line #1: Viking Ocean Cruise

    October 4, 2022 — Originally a river cruise line, Viking has launched seven ocean-going vessels since 2015 (not including expedition ships), the most recent being the Viking Mars, whose maiden voyage took place in May 2022.

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  • AFAR: The Best Around-the-World Cruises

    September 7, 2022 — Viking Cruises’ 930-passenger Viking Neptune sets sail on December 22, 2022, on an epic 137-night world cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Greenwich, United Kingdom, with explorations of Central America, the California coast, Hawai‘i, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Mediterranean.

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  • Newsweek: America's Best Customer Service 2023

    August 31, 2022 — Viking ranked #1 on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Customer Service Brands in the transportation and travel cruise category for the third consecutive year.
     

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  • Reader’s Digest: 10 Best Couples Cruises for a Romantic Vacation at Sea

    August 26, 2022 — Which company offers the best cruises for couples? Thanks to its small ships, impeccable service and adults-only policy, Viking earns that title, offering amazing cruises for lovebirds of all ages.

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  • USA Today: These are the best cruise ships and cruise lines of 2022

    July 22, 2022 — Viking Cruises earned its reputation through its affordable, destination-focused river cruises, and after expanding into sea voyages, the line now has six ocean vessels too. All cabins come with balconies and are notably larger than the industry average, and while the ships lack a casino and kids' club, they offer the same destination-intensive programming that made river cruising so popular.

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  • Travel + Leisure: The 5 Best Midsize-ship Ocean Cruise Lines

    July 12, 2022 — T+L readers rave about the consistency of Viking's vessels and their Scandinavian design. The ships have plenty of nooks and crannies that encourage socializing. Guests can indulge in afternoon tea in the Wintergarden or listen to a lecture by a historian in the theater. 

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  • TravelPulse: Viking’s Newest Ocean Ship Viking Saturn Floats Out

    June 23, 2022 — Viking’s newest ocean ship, the 930-guest Viking Saturn, has touched water for the first time, with its ‘floating out’ marking a major construction milestone.

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  • Town & Country: The 8 Best New Cruise Itineraries

    June 17, 2022 — Australia and New Zealand were closed to visitors for two years, and this new 31-day voyage aboard the Viking Orion is your chance to see them both. With six stops in New Zealand, there’s time for vineyard tours and tastings, viewing craggy coastlines, and exploring Art Deco Napier and Victorian Dunedin.

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  • The Points Guy: Traveling to Bergen, Norway? Here’s what you need to know

    May 20, 2022 — Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about planning a visit to Bergen, whether you’re arriving for just a day on a cruise ship or flying in for a multi-day visit.

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  • Cruise Critic: Live From Viking Mars: First Impressions of Viking Ocean’s Newest Cruise Ship

    May 19, 2022 — The 930-passenger Viking Mars is the seventh ship in Viking’s near identical ocean fleet which began with Viking Star exactly seven years ago. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of Viking, which is the world’s largest river cruise line.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: The Best New Cruises in the World: 2022 Hot List

    May 3, 2022 — Viking Venus is the newest addition to the brand’s collection of ocean liners—and with her launch in May 2021 came exciting new itineraries like Malta & Adriatic Jewels, marking the brand’s first time home porting in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Valletta.

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  • The Points Guy: The types of Viking cruise ships, explained

    April 3, 2022 — Viking is unusual among major cruise lines in that it operates both ocean ships and river ships. But despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

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  • USA Today: This one-of-a-kind Iceland cruise offers a new and unique experience

    March 20, 2022 — “Iceland’s Natural Beauty,” an 8-day cruise that sails round-trip from Reykjavik, gives you an up-close-and-personal look at some of the country’s most remote and beautiful coastal villages.

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  • Cruise Critic: Northern Lights Might Not Even be the Best Part of a Norway Cruise: Live from Viking Venus

    March 14, 2022 — The Northern Lights are what lured me and, from my nonscientific chat-and-listen survey, the other 600-plus guests onboard Viking Venus' 13-day aptly named "In Search of the Northern Lights" voyage wrapping up this weekend in Bergen, Norway. This, along with the promise of learning more about the Sami people of Norway, a chance to try out sled-dog racing and opportunities to view the gorgeous landscape.

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  • Travel + Leisure: This Tiny European Island — With a Population of 2 — Is Perfect for a Vacation Without the Crowds

    February 15, 2022 — To explore these storied waters, Viking Cruises offers voyages that stop in Malta, with excursions that allow guests to sail through and swim at various spots around Comino.

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  • Luxury Travel Advisor: Viking Marks Float-Out of Newest Ocean Ship

    January 14, 2022 — Viking's newest ocean ship—the 930-guest Viking Neptune—“floated out,” marking a significant construction milestone and the first time the ship touched water. Set to debut in November 2022, Viking Neptune will spend its inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean before embarking on the "2023-2024 Viking World Cruise" from Fort Lauderdale to London, spanning 138 days, 28 countries and 57 ports—with overnight stays in 11 cities.

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  • Travel + Leisure: 10 Around-the-world Cruises for the Trip of a Lifetime

    January 3, 2022 — See 28 countries on the 138-day Viking World Cruise from Fort Lauderdale to London. After departing from Florida, the Viking Neptune will sail the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, stopping in sunny destinations before crossing the Panama Canal to reach the Pacific.

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  • Toronto Star: As a long-time cruise enthusiast, I’ve sailed aboard about 40 different ships — and this trip was one of my all-time favourites

    December 31, 2021 — Cruising the Mediterranean is the stuff of dreams. For my 15-day voyage from Barcelona to Athens aboard the Viking Sea, the list of ports-of-call reads like romance, each stop stirring the imagination: Monaco, Rome, Naples, Crete, Ephesus.      

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  • CNBC: The best cruises of 2022, according to U.S. News & World Report

    November 9, 2021 — Two cruise lines, Viking and Disney, dominate a new ranking released by U.S. News & World Report.

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  • Travel Weekly: Viking Saturn to join Viking Ocean Cruises fleet in 2023

    October 13, 2021 — The 930-passenger vessel, identical to its eight sister ships, will spend its maiden season sailing in the Nordic countries, including two 15-day cruises (Iceland-Greenland-Canada and Iceland-Norway) and a 29-day sailing to Greenland, Iceland and Norway.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Cruise Lines in the World: 2021 Readers' Choice Awards: Medium Ship Line #1: Viking Ocean Cruise

    October 5, 2021 — Originally a river cruise line, Viking has launched six ocean-going vessels since 2015, the most recent being the brand-new Viking Venus, whose maiden voyage took place in 2021. The ships are nearly identical, carrying 930 passengers each, housed in balcony staterooms. Though not all-inclusive, Viking Ocean offers guests one free excursion in each port (the ships primarily sail Northern Europe, though there are some Mediterranean itineraries, too), beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and an unlimited Wi-Fi connection.

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  • USA Today: This cruise line is setting the standard for traveling during a pandemic

    September 8, 2021 — Never one to follow the pack, Viking has distinguished itself from other major cruise lines by focusing on “exploring the world in comfort.” Unlike most of its colleagues, it doesn’t allow kids under 18, it doesn’t have casinos and it doesn’t charge extra for Wi-Fi, laundry, specialty restaurants or beer and wine at lunch and dinner. Plus, one shore excursion is included in every port and every cabin comes with a private balcony.

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  • Cruise Critic: Just Back From Viking Venus: Brand-New Cruise Ship, Brand-New Homeport

    September 2, 2021 — What is the secret to a well-designed cruise ship? There's no one answer, of course, but versatility plays a role. As a passenger, you want to be on a ship that has as much to offer on a sun-soaked itinerary as it does during rainy weather. And cruise lines want the flexibility to be able to move ships around to different climates and countries, particularly during a pandemic when limited ports are availability. Maybe that's why Viking's ocean cruise ships have done so well managing their return to service with 'Welcome Back' itineraries based in three different countries -- Iceland, Bermuda and Malta.

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  • Travel + Leisure: Viking's 2022 World Cruise Sold Out so Quickly, It's Offering 2 in 2023

    August 27, 2021 — For the first time ever, Viking will operate two world cruises within one year, due to increased demand for longer-term travel. The 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise will sail aboard two different ships, both setting sail on identical itineraries from Fort Lauderdale and leaving within days of each other. The announcement comes after both Viking's 2021 and 2022 world cruises sold out in record time.

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  • CNBC: Viking chairman on cruise demand: Bookings up 42% for 2022 over 2019

    August 10, 2021 — Chairman Torstein Hagen joins ‘Squawk on the Street’ to discuss the Viking Health & Safety Program and the path forward.

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  • Forbes: My (COVID-19) Positive Experience Cruising To Iceland On Viking Sky Last Week

    July 19, 2021 — Viking has taken the pandemic seriously. They’ve spent the past year and a half creating the only full-scale testing labs at sea, putting them into place on every one of their ships (not an inexpensive undertaking) along with health and safety protocols that are setting the gold standard for cruising during these unsettling times.

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  • CNN: Here’s how Viking Cruises plans to welcome back vaccinated guests

    April 28, 2021 — Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen talks to CNN’s Richard Quest on “Quest Means Business” to discuss our plans for welcoming vaccinated guests back on board our ocean ships in 2021.

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  • CNBC: Viking restarts limited cruise operation with vaccine and testing requirements

    April 9, 2021 — Torstein Hagen, Viking chairman, joins “Squawk on the Street” to discuss the cruise line’s reopening plans and outlook for the company.

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  • Viking.TV: Exploring the world in comfort…from home

    Forbes: Free Virtual Entertainment From Viking Cruises: Yes, You Can Enjoy Travel Fun At Home

    February 21, 2021 — Applause to travel companies that have gone the extra mile during the pandemic by creatively developing free virtual entertainment. One of the best and brightest roll-outs to build community and share positive experiences comes from Viking Cruises, which launched, in April 2020, a new digital platform called Viking.TV, available online. Now approaching its one year anniversary, Viking.TV has amassed an impressive collection of engaging original cultural content and live-stream video adventures.

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  • Forbes: Viking Cruises Bets You’ll Be Ready For This Epic Journey In 2022–23

    January 21, 2021 — How many of the 58 ports on this 138-day cruise have you been to? Once the world is vaccinated and the pandemic subsides, many will be craving a cruise again. Viking Cruises has a new 138-day World Cruise that might be the most relaxing way to (almost) circle the globe. It visits some of the world’s most famous destinations on almost every continent.

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  • Cruise Critic: Viking to Launch Second Mekong River Ship, Viking Tonle

    November 14, 2023 — Viking is set to double its presence in the Mekong River with the launch of a new vessel purposely built to sail the Southeast Asian waterway. Currently under construction, Viking Tonle will debut in October 2025. The three-deck, 80-passenger ship will be identical to its sister ship Viking Saigon, which was launched in 2022.

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  • Robb Report: Viking Unveils a Luxe New Ship Designed to Cruise the Nile River in Style

    November 13, 2023 — True to Viking’s sleek and Scandi-style roots, the shiny new vessel comes outfitted with 41 residential-style staterooms, an open-air atrium, two modern restaurants, and an infinity-edge plunge pool flanking Aton’s signature Aquavit terrace. Where the sunny ship really shines is the thoughtful and understated design details like floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the interiors with natural light and uninterrupted Nile views at every turn.

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  • Porthole: Viking Cruises Honored with Six Awards

    November 2, 2023 — Viking received numerous awards from U.S. News & World Report and Silver Travel Advisor for Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples, and Best Line in the Mediterranean. Viking.TV also won Silver Standout for Innovation, marking its third consecutive win since launch. Silver Travel Advisor named Viking #1 for Rivers and Oceans in the Best Premium or Luxury Cruise Line category.  

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: Experience the Most Extraordinary Voyages in the World With Viking

    October 3, 2023 — A Viking cruise puts the magic of your destination at center stage, while ensuring your comfort and enrichment at every turn. It’s no surprise that Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Viking to the top of the River, Ocean, and Expedition cruise categories in the 2023 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards—the first time a travel company has been voted number one across these three categories simultaneously.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Cruise Lines in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards

    October 3, 2023 — Viking has expanded feverishly in recent years, with more than 60 riverboats, nine ocean vessels, and two expedition ships in its fleet. The company's longships explore familiar waters like the Danube and Rhône in Europe, as well as faraway itineraries on the Volga in Russia, the Nile in Egypt, and the Mekong in Southeast Asia. Viking River Cruises also includes complimentary Wi-Fi and select shore excursions in its prices, and its “Culture Curriculum” offers experiential learning through events like regional wine tastings and menus that rotate seasonally.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: Review: Viking Aton

    October 2, 2023 — Among the miscellany of vessels bobbing down the Nile, Viking’s sister ships—the Osiris and the Aton—are some of the sleekest (and newest) builds, with iconic itineraries that take travelers to the feet of the Great Pyramids, the temples of Luxor, and ancient tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

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  • TravelAge West: Review: Viking Skaga in France

    September 24, 2023 — Since Viking’s “inclusive value” fare includes one free shore excursion at every port of call, I walked away from the trip with expanded knowledge of the Normandy region’s history and robust culture. Other enlightening outings included an introductory sightseeing bus tour around Paris and a history- and architecture-focused walking tour of Rouen. Our overall trip was full of fun, comfort and great memories. I could not imagine doing this sailing a better way.

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  • Travel Weekly: Shining a light on the spacious new Viking Aton

    September 23, 2023 — Fans of Viking's river ships now have more opportunities to sail Egypt's Nile River, thanks to the addition of the Viking Aton to its growing fleet there. The ship recently joined three other Viking vessels on the river: the Antares, the Viking Ra and the Viking Osiris. The Aton is a sister ship to the Osiris, which launched in August 2022, accommodating 82 guests in 41 cabins. It has all of the same features as the Osiris, making for a familiar experience for guests who have sailed the Nile with Viking.

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  • Travel Awaits: Viking River Cruises’ Romantic Danube: How To Make The Most Of Every Stop

    September 19, 2023 — River cruising is a popular way to get the ease and convenience of a cruise while enjoying a more intimate experience. Viking River Cruises is one of the most recognized names in the industry, and we had the chance to take their eight-day Romantic Danube cruise in the wintertime. The cruise stops vary from year to year and season to season, but each version has stops in Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

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  • U.S. News & World Report: The 10 Most Festive Christmas Cruises for 2023

    September 7, 2023 — Viking's 12-day Christmas on the Main & Moselle cruise sails between Paris and Prague in 2023 and 2024. The adults-only sailing affords passengers 18 or older the opportunity to visit four European countries: France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. In addition to browsing the 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 region, including Moselle, riesling, Müller-Thurgau and gewürztraminer.

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  • Travel Weekly: Viking continues its Egypt strategy and expansion with the Aton

    August 30, 2023 — When it comes to designing and deploying river cruise ships, Viking doesn't just stick to what it knows -- it sticks to what it does best. The Viking Aton, which debuted this month, is the latest addition to the company's Nile River fleet. The 82-guest, 41-cabin ship will sail a 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary between Aswan and Luxor, with three nights in Cairo.

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  • Cruise Critic: Everything You Need to Know About Sailing a Nile River Cruise with Viking

    August 28, 2023 — Viking ships sail around the globe, but there is one country in particular where it has its sights set particularly high: Egypt. At the naming ceremony of Viking Aton in Aswan, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen teased that the options there are endless, promising a “slew of new ships” to come. There is no question that the excitement is there, both from Viking as well as customers seeing that 2024 Egypt sailings are almost entirely sold out with a similar direction headed for 2025.

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  • Travel Weekly: One unforgettable day on a Viking Nile cruise

    August 23, 2023 — I just completed a press trip to Egypt with Viking to launch their newest and fourth ship on the Nile, the Viking Aton. It was an abbreviated version of the company's 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, which the Aton will sail after it launches later this month. While it was a shorter itinerary I was on, it was by no means disappointing. This was my first time in Egypt -- my first time on the continent of Africa, in fact. I found Egypt to be almost surreal, a sort of mythological place.

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  • TravelPulse: Viking’s Newest Nile River Ship Named in Aswan

    August 21, 2023 — Viking has named its newest river ship, the Viking Aton, with a special celebration in Aswan, Egypt. The ship’s ceremonial godfather, Richard Riveire, designer of Viking’s award-winning river, ocean and expedition vessels, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship. The Viking Aton, an identical sister ship of the Viking Osiris, is a state-of-the-art vessel specifically built to navigate the Nile and will sail the line’s popular Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

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  • Cruise Critic: The Best Rhine River Cruise for Every Traveler

    August 16, 2023 — With its culture-rich itineraries, Viking River Cruises is a popular line with older passengers. Viking places a big emphasis on curating tours that provide an authentic insight into destinations rather than just scratching the surface. The line is also highly considerate of any mobility issues its passengers might have and provides options for all.

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  • Porthole: A Voyage of Love: The Best Cruise Lines for Honeymooners

    August 10, 2023 — On this adult-only cruise line, every passenger is treated like a VIP guest. Each stateroom has a private veranda, providing the perfect setting for you and your partner to savor a glass of wine and gaze upon the tranquil waters of the open ocean. Viking Cruises offers some of the most romantic all-inclusive getaways offered at sea. With captivating itineraries like the Mediterranean and Polynesia, any couple is sure to have a dream honeymoon. Regardless of your itinerary, every Viking Cruises vessel has six complimentary restaurants onboard, all with a captivating ocean view.

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  • Mashed: Viking Provides The Bougiest Cruise Food

    August 8, 2023 — According to Food & Wine readers, the cruise line that offers the best culinary experience overall is Viking. A ticket for a Viking cruise does include all restaurant meals as well as snacks and drinks from an in-suite mini-bar, and the dining options — similar to Vikings themselves — span the globe from Italian to sushi. The ships do, however, feature certain Scandinavian specialties, some said to be based on recipes from the cruise line founder's mother.

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  • Forbes: The Best Luxury Cruises Of 2023

    August 4, 2023 — Time spent on Viking River Cruises’ Viking Osiris is not only a retreat, but an enlightening experience. Known for its educational programming, the ship features lectures and informative guides that highlight seemingly endless knowledge on everything Egyptian (ancient to modern). Paired with the Nile as a backdrop, you’ll find yourself absorbing more than you can have possibly imagined.

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  • Forbes: The Best Cruises For Adults

    August 1, 2023 — When asked to envision a cruise, chances are you might summon images of kids wailing down waterslides, dripping in ice cream and building sandcastles, typically what you see in the many candy-colored ads from mega cruise ships. But those are far from the only cruise options out there for grown-ups who want to get away from it all. The best cruises for adults cater to adult guests with high-brow luxuries or dedicated spaces—and some even don’t allow kids on board, period.

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  • Forbes: Viking Founder Torstein Hagen Checks Off A 65 Year Old Bucket List Item

    July 25, 2023 — Every once in a while, work and play come together in an unexpected, magical moment. And that’s why Viking Founder/Chairman, Torstein Hagen, recently found himself in a post office in Ushuaia, Argentina – the world’s southernmost city, nicknamed the “End of the World” – fulfilling a childhood wish from 65 years ago.

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  • TravelPulse: Why So Many Travelers Are River Cruising for the First Time

    July 21, 2023 — My husband and I booked a Viking Rhine River Cruise this summer that sailed from Amsterdam to Basel. As always, the cruise was amazing, the sites were spectacular and because it’s not a mega cruise ship, you get to know many of your fellow passengers. With a boat that only holds 190 passengers at full capacity, that’s not hard to do.

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  • INSIDER: Brought Family on River Cruise, Best Money We Spent Traveling

    July 17, 2023 — I went on an eight-day river cruise through France aboard the Viking Skaga with my retired parents. The relaxed pace, calm waters, and mellow excursions made it the perfect way to travel with them.

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  • CNBC: Viking chairman: We appeal to the 'thinking person' which has been very favorable for us

    June 16, 2023 — Torstein Hagen, Viking chairman and founder, joins ‘The Exchange’ to discuss a rebound in travel following the pandemic, pricing packages for Viking Cruises, and opportunities for older consumers looking to travel.

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  • TravelPulse: The Rise And Fall And Rise Again Of Viking’s Torstein Hagen

    June 14, 2023 — The 25-year ascent of Viking to become one of the world’s most consequential cruise lines is quite a story. Especially when it is told by the company’s forthright founder Torstein Hagen.

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  • Global Traveler: Viking’s Newest River Cruise Itinerary Celebrates Treasures of the Rhine

    June 13, 2023 — Viking recently announced its newest river voyage, Treasures of the Rhine, sailing the Middle Rhine and debuting in December 2023. With this new sailing, Viking becomes the first line to operate year-round on Europe’s rivers. The 10-day Treasures of the Rhine itinerary sails the Middle Rhine’s turreted fortresses; grand cathedrals; medieval towns; scenery, including terraced vineyards; and destinations like Amsterdam, Basel and Cologne.

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  • Forbes: The Viking Cruise Vision: Steadfast And Unflappable

    June 12, 2023 — Viking guests remain fiercely loyal to the line because it offers what they want both on the rivers and oceans. They appreciate the modern ships, attentive service and broad choices of itineraries.

    Read the full article >

  • Fox News: Viking on Cruise Industry Resurgence

    June 8, 2023 — Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen discusses the cruise industry’s resurgence after the pandemic on ‘Your World’ as they are 93% booked for 2023.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: The Best New Cruises in the World: 2023 Hot List

    April 27, 2023 — Sailing with just 82 passengers and replete with sophisticated Scandinavian design elements, Viking Osiris has the look and feel of a boutique hotel on the Nile. Cozy up with a coffee in the airy two-story atrium at the heart of the ship—a rarity for river vessels—and watch lush scenery like date palms and mango groves pass by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

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  • Food & Wine: This Is the Best Cruise for Food, As Voted on by Our Readers

    April 18, 2023 — While one strategy rolled out by many lines has been focusing on quantity with a dizzying variety of ho-hum options, that’s never been part of the plan for Viking Cruises, which our readers voted the overall best cruise for food in the world.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: Exploring France's Enchanting Villages With My Father on a Seine River Cruise

    April 12, 2023 — Arriving in Paris that crisp November morning, we were well placed for our trip down memory lane. *Fjorgyn—*which debuted last March—docks on the Seine, in the 15th-arrondissement neighborhood of Grenelle. From our stateroom balcony we could see the Eiffel Tower, only a 20-minute stroll down the tow path; the nearest Metro station just a 10-minute walk in the opposite direction.

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  • AFAR: 5 European UNESCO Sites You Should See By River Cruise

    March 14, 2023 — Stonehenge. The Acropolis of Athens. Pompeii. Europe has so many protected UNESCO World Heritage sites—more than 400 by last count—one could practically stumble upon history on a morning walk to get coffee. (In Rome, another UNESCO site, you almost always do.) These landmarks, per UNESCO, are “so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.”

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  • The Points Guy: Best first-time cruises for all types of travelers

    February 11, 2023 — If you're retired or fall into the 55+ age group and are looking for an adults-only, highly inclusive cruise designed to immerse you in the destination, Viking has you covered.

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  • Food & Wine: Get a Crash Course on Bordeaux's Wines Via This Viking River Cruise

    December 30, 2022 — My homework began before I’d even packed my suitcase. Viking provided all passengers taking the Longship Forseti’s “Châteaux, Rivers & Wine” cruise with a list of suggested reading that spanned French literature, history, art, wine, and food. A few weeks later, collapsing onto the bed of my modern, Nordic-style stateroom, I paged through an introduction to Bordeaux’s wine regions while surveying the selection of in-room wine education videos.

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  • Fodor’s Travel: All the Ancient Egyptian Mythology You’ll Learn on a Nile Cruise

    November 8, 2022 — Viking River Cruises’ Viking Osiris, launched in 2022, is the most luxurious new ship sailing the Nile, geared toward curious travelers who value educational excursions with talented Egyptologists.

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  • Vogue: A Rhine River Cruise Is the Perfect Way to Discover Europe’s Lesser-Known Cities

    November 8, 2022 — For seven days and nights, we cruised along the Rhine: stopping in both tiny villages and cosmopolitan cities; enjoying the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in our staterooms and the lounge; spotting vineyards and castles along the river all the way from the Black Forest to the canals of the Netherlands.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: The Top Cruise Lines in the World: 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards: River Ship Line #1: Viking River Cruises

    October 4, 2022 — Parent company Viking Cruises has expanded feverishly in recent years, with more than 60 river ships and seven ocean vessels in its fleet.

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  • USA Today: Sail ‘right in the heart of the US’ on Viking's new Mississippi River cruise ship

    September 10, 2022 — Viking has brought American travelers to destinations around the world on its cruises, but until now has not had a river ship based in North America. The company operates close to 100 river and ocean vessels, and 82% of its guests come from America, Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, told USA TODAY.
     

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  • Newsweek: America's Best Customer Service 2023

    August 31, 2022 — Viking ranked #1 on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Customer Service Brands in the transportation and travel cruise category for the third consecutive year.
     

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  • Forbes: Viking Names Its Newest Nile River Ship In Luxor, Setting Egypt Up For A Travel Boom

    August 23, 2022 — Egypt’s ancient hieroglyphics are all about symbols and Viking Osiris is likely to become the symbol of how to explore the country in style.

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  • Cruise Critic: Live from Viking Osiris: A Luxury Cruise on the Nile River

    August 23, 2022 — Viking is no stranger to sailing the Nile: The cruise line long has chartered ships from other companies to sail Egypt's famed river, and in 2018, it launched Viking Ra, a ship it took down to its studs and refurbished to match the line's trademark Scandinavian style. But with the August 2022 debut of Viking Osiris, the company has created its first purpose-built ship for the region.

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  • The Points Guy: A trio of new super-small cruise vessels promises luxury adventure from South America to Asia

    August 20, 2022 — River cruise giant Viking is calling its new river ship the most upscale cruise vessel on the Nile, and from what we’ve seen of it so far, it’s a boast that’s hard to dispute. Designed to hold just 82 passengers, Viking Osiris features an entire deck of sprawling suites with two full-size rooms apiece; two suites even have stunning glass walls that wrap around the front of the vessel.

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  • U.S. News & World Report: The 10 Top River Cruise Lines

    August 19, 2022 — Viking's 60-plus ships − known as longships − carry roughly 75 to 250 people (depending on the vessel) and traverse major rivers across Europe, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Douro and more. Other popular routes sail to destinations in Asia, Egypt and the Mississippi River.

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  • USA Today: Sail down the Seine from Paris to Normandy on this luxury cruise

    August 2, 2022 — Viking offers a wide itinerary of Paris tours from its ships, so if it's your first time in this “City of Light,” a tour of Paris in the comfort of your luxurious Viking bus, with stops at every destination along the way, is definitely the way to go! Your ship is docked within easy walking distance to many of the famous Parisian sites, so don't be hesitant to stretch your legs and explore this city's beauty on your own.

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  • USA Today: These are the 10 best river cruise ships, according to our readers

    July 30, 2022 — The Viking Hlin out of Amsterdam cruises the Rhine in style. Built in 2014 with accommodations for 190 passengers, the ship features an open-air cafe on the bow, as well as a top deck that runs the ship's entire length with plenty of lounging options and the chef's herb garden.

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  • Travel + Leisure: The 10 Best River Cruise Lines

    July 12, 2022 — With its fleet of more than 50 contemporary “longships” on rivers such as the Rhine, the Danube, and the Seine, plus additional ships in Europe, Egypt, and Vietnam, T+L's top-ranked river cruise line for 2022 is often praised for its steadiness. “Having traveled on seven Viking longships that are virtually indistinguishable from one another, I believe it's the consistency that makes Viking one of our favorite ways to travel,” said one reader.

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  • U.S. News & World Report: 10 Top Mississippi River Cruises 2022-2023

    June 13, 2022 — Viking River Cruises is a newcomer to U.S. rivers, and its custom-built ship – the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi – will mark that milestone when it sails its inaugural Mississippi River cruise in June 2022.

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  • Travel Weekly: Viking Radgrid and its sisters sail to the heart of France

    June 4, 2022 — It's not every day that a cruise line launches four ships at the same time on the same river, but that's just what Viking Cruises did earlier this spring. The Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga all joined the fleet to sail Seine and Rhone itineraries visiting delightful ports in Normandy and central and southern France.

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  • The Points Guy: The types of Viking cruise ships, explained

    April 3, 2022 — Viking is unusual among major cruise lines in that it operates both ocean ships and river ships. But despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

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  • Forbes: Viking Christens 8 New Ships To Kick Off River Sailing Season

    March 18, 2022 — In a special naming ceremony that took place in Paris and live-streamed from Amsterdam, Viking christened 8 new river ships that had been in the pipeline since 2020.

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  • Associated Press: Viking Mississippi cruise ship touches water for first time

    March 9, 2022 — A Swiss company’s plan to offer tourists cruises along the length of the Mississippi River drew a step closer to reality this week as its new 386-passenger ship was floated out of a south Louisiana shipyard.

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  • TravelPulse: Viking's New Egyptian Ship Marks Construction Milestone

    January 27, 2022 — Viking has announced that its newest Nile River ship, the Viking Osiris, has marked a key construction milestone on January 26, touching water for the first time as it was “floated out” at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt.

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  • Travel + Leisure: What to Know About Mississippi River Cruises — From the Cruise Lines to Top Itineraries

    December 21, 2021 — River cruises are a great way to see the world — you can visit several waterfront destinations and watch the scenery pass by from cozy accommodations and top-deck lounges on intimate luxury ships. And while rivers like the Danube and Rhine are top choices for many travelers, you don't have to fly to Europe to take a river cruise. You can explore some of the nation's iconic attractions and favorite cities with a Mississippi River cruise.

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  • U.S. News & World Report: The 10 Top River Cruise Lines

    November 9, 2021 — If you’d like to take a cruise, but aren’t interested in the crowds or hustle and bustle of a massive ocean liner, you may want to consider a river cruise. River cruises offer the opportunity to visit lesser-known ports around the world, thanks to the small size and maneuverability of the vessels.

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  • Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Cruise Lines in the World: 2021 Readers' Choice Awards: River Ship Line #1: Viking River Cruises

    October 5, 2021 — Viking Cruises has expanded feverishly in recent years, with more than 60 river ships and six ocean vessels in its fleet. Under Viking River Cruises, the company's riverboats explore familiar waters like the Danube and Rhône in Europe, as well as faraway itineraries on the Volga in Russia, the Nile in Egypt, and the Mekong in Southeast Asia. Viking River Cruises also includes complimentary Wi-Fi and select shore excursions in its prices, and its “Culture Curriculum” offers experiential learning through events like regional wine tastings and menus that rotate seasonally.

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  • USA Today: Portugal’s port wine country can be best explored by boat

    October 2, 2021 — For most travelers, a visit to the Douro Valley can be enhanced by sailing along the beautiful Douro River, which flows from northern Spain to the area surrounding the city of Porto. Viking Cruises, known for its upscale river and ocean cruises across the world, offers an incredible voyage along the Douro with an abundance of small-group food and wine experiences along the way.

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  • Travel + Leisure: The Top 10 River Cruise Lines

    September 8, 2021 — The iconic river ships of No. 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers giving the stalwart high marks, moving it up three places. Viking has river ships across Europe, of course, but also sails the Mekong and the Nile. In 2022, the company plans to launch trips on the Mississippi.

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  • Travel Weekly: Viking returns to France with new river cruise ships

    August 12, 2021 — Viking Cruises marked its return to France's rivers on July 30 with the launch of four new, purpose-built Longships on the Seine: Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid, Viking Skaga, and Viking Fjorgyn. Each ship has 84 cabins and capacity for 168 passengers. The ships, which dock at an exclusive location in the heart of Paris near the Eiffel Tower, will help fulfill a pent-up demand for travel throughout France.

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  • CNBC: Viking chairman on cruise demand: Bookings up 42% for 2022 over 2019

    August 10, 2021 — Chairman Torstein Hagen joins ‘Squawk on the Street’ to discuss the Viking Health & Safety Program and the path forward.

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  • Forbes: Europe Is Reopening For Vaccinated Travelers: See It Via These Viking River Cruises

    May 20, 2021 — Following the May 19, 2021 signal that Europe will allow fully-vaccinated travelers to enter EU countries without the need to quarantine, Viking Cruises is relaunching five European river cruises beginning in July. Starting in July 2021, five of Viking’s most popular European river cruises are back. They’re in addition to the first 2021 itineraries Viking launched in Bermuda, Iceland, the UK, and Malta. 

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  • CNN: Here’s how Viking Cruises plans to welcome back vaccinated guests

    April 28, 2021 — Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen talks to CNN’s Richard Quest on “Quest Means Business” to discuss our plans for welcoming vaccinated guests back on board our ocean ships in 2021.

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  • Viking.TV: Exploring the world in comfort…from home

    Forbes: Free Virtual Entertainment From Viking Cruises: Yes, You Can Enjoy Travel Fun At Home

    February 21, 2021 — Applause to travel companies that have gone the extra mile during the pandemic by creatively developing free virtual entertainment. One of the best and brightest roll-outs to build community and share positive experiences comes from Viking Cruises, which launched, in April 2020, a new digital platform called Viking.TV, available online. Now approaching its one year anniversary, Viking.TV has amassed an impressive collection of engaging original cultural content and live-stream video adventures.

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