Viking is the most consistent product in cruising right now. Every ship is virtually identical, so clients know exactly what they're getting whether they sail the Mediterranean or Asia. The included shore excursion in every port, free Wi-Fi, free specialty dining and all-balcony cabins make the pricing transparent and honest. It's not the line for clients who want a buzzy nightlife scene or kids' activities — it's built for adults who want to learn something and come home enriched.
Viking Ocean Cruises has built the most awarded fleet in modern cruising by doing something deceptively simple: removing everything that does not serve the destination. There are no casinos, no children, no umbrella drinks by a wave pool, and no formal nights. In their place, Viking offers a fleet of identical 930-guest ships wrapped in serene Scandinavian design — pale timber floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, reindeer pelts draped over couches in the two-storey Explorer’s Lounge, and walls hung with modernist paintings by Edvard Munch and other Norwegian artists. The effect is a ship that feels like a beautifully curated Nordic boutique hotel.
Cultural enrichment is the beating heart of the experience. Every voyage includes a complimentary shore excursion in every port, resident historians who deliver TED-style lectures tailored to upcoming destinations, destination performances ranging from Portuguese fado to Italian opera, and an onboard cooking school where guests learn to prepare local dishes with ingredients sourced from markets ashore. The library was curated by Heywood Hill, the London bookseller that holds a Royal Warrant. Viking calls itself “The Thinking Person’s Cruise,” and the onboard atmosphere — calm, quiet, intellectually stimulating — justifies the claim.
The all-inclusive pricing model is unusually transparent. Every cabin is a balcony stateroom; wine and beer are included at meals; all specialty dining, Wi-Fi and self-service laundry are complimentary. The ships are small enough to dock directly in most ports, sparing guests the tender rides that plague larger vessels. Rated number one for ocean cruises by both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure for five consecutive years, Viking has amassed more than 450 industry awards — a record unmatched by any competitor.
Viking is purpose-built for a specific traveller: the curious, well-read adult with the time and means to explore the world thoughtfully rather than hurriedly. It is not the right choice for families, party-seekers or anyone who equates cruising with amusement parks. For everyone else, it sets a standard that the rest of the industry is still trying to match.
Tell us your travel dates and our Viking Ocean Cruises specialists will create a tailored proposal.
