By Lee McCarthy
For those dreaming of a vacation experience created for curious travellers, let us introduce you to Viking and the Viking Difference.
The cruise line is destination focused and culturally enriching and for those who prefer an elegant, serene ship ambiance, more time in each port and an inclusive experience complete with exquisite dining and thoughtfully curated shore excursions.
Viking are often credited with inventing modern river cruising in 1997. In 2015, they turned their attention to ocean cruising. In 2022, they began perfecting expedition cruising with journeys to the ends of the earth and closer to their Norwegian home on board the Viking Polaris and the Viking Octantis.
The cruise line’s attention to detail and destination-focused approach is what has helped make Viking the world’s leading exploration company.
With offerings on all seven continents, the company invites you to reawaken your spirit of discovery and celebrate a return to sailing and exploring the world in comfort.
Viking offers a shore excursion in every port and an onboard and onshore enrichment program that provides deep immersion in the destination through performances of music and art, cooking demonstrations, informative port talks and carefully selected guest lecturers.
In 2015, Viking introduced its first ocean ship with the naming of the 930-guest all-veranda Viking Star. One year later, they launched their second ocean ship, the Viking Sea, which was joined by sister ship the Viking Sky in 2017, the Viking Orion in 2018, the Viking Jupiter in 2019 and the Viking Venus in 2021. Identical sister ships the Viking Mars, and the Viking Neptune joined the fleet in 2022; the Viking Saturn joined in 2023.
Ocean itineraries are designed to maximize the amount of time travellers spend in their destination. These enriching itineraries include base and combination voyages around the world, with particular focus in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Alaska, North and South America and Africa.
The popular European river voyages range from eight to twenty-three days, with itineraries featuring Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle, Elbe, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers.
Viking also offers voyages on Egypt’s Nile River and Southeast Asia’s Mekong River.
Sailing Europe’s storied rivers, the award-winning fleet of identical Viking Longships® offer a variety of stateroom categories and true two-room suites with full-size verandas. Onboard amenities include a restaurant, bar and lounge, library and expansive sun deck. The ships feature al fresco dining on the revolutionary indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, elegant Scandinavian design and environmentally considerate features, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines for a remarkably smooth ride.
Viking launched destination-focused travel experiences on the Mississippi River in 2022, with sailings ranging from eight to fifteen days between New Orleans, Louisiana and St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Viking Mississippi hosts 386 guests and features some of the largest staterooms across the cruise industry, where each guest has a sweeping view of the river and landscape beyond.
In 2022, they launched their expedition voyages with the arrival of the 378-guest Polar Class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Both ships sail expedition voyages in Antarctica, the Arctic and North America’s Great Lakes.
The Viking Sun was renamed the Viking Yi Dun in 2024 and will exclusively sail the coast of China. Viking Vela, Viking’s twelfth ocean ship debuted in November 2024 and the Viking Vesta will launch this year. Viking are excited to also announce the Viking Mira is due to be delivered in 2026.
For further information visit www.viking.com or phone reservations (AU) 138 747.
