With a name like ‘Viking’, you’d expect some epic sailings.
Whether it’s a 128-day world cruise, a fun-filled Caribbean or Alaska expedition, an alluring Mediterranean holiday or India and Asia discovery, the global itineraries offered by Viking Ocean Cruises have become legendary.
Some of the most popular cruise destinations these days are in Asia and the Middle East where Viking’s brand of small ship sailings, matched with culturally immersive experiences, are ideally matched.
Here’s just a sample of what Viking has to offer in this exotic part of the world.
Capitals of the Far East
There’s no better way to see China, Taiwan and South Korea, than on this fascinating 15-day cruise around the East China Sea and Yellow Sea.
Take in the glittering Hong Kong skyline before setting sail for Xiamen, Taipei, Shanghai, Seoul, Qingdao, Dalian and Beijing.
Learn about the history and culture of these fascinating cities with Viking’s Culture Curriculum and complimentary shore excursions. Best of all, travellers don’t require a visa for China travel when it’s part of an included ship tour.
Capitals of the Far East cruise itinerary
Day 1 – Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong’s amazing skyscrapers stand between mountains and sea.
Day 2 – Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong is home to long-cherished Eastern traditions amid modern Western sensibilities.
Day 3 – Xiamen, China
Xiamen boasts picturesque colonial architecture and modern, gleaming glass towers.
Day 4 – Taipei, China
Taipei exudes an intriguing blend of Chinese, Japanese and Western influences.
Day 5 – Taipei, China
Taipei stands proudly as one of the world’s most technologically advanced cities.
Day 6 – Cruise the East China Sea
The East China Sea, one of the four seas of legend, has a storied history.
Day 7 – Shanghai, China
Shanghai’s waterfront Bund is one of the world’s most iconic pedestrian boulevards.
Day 8 – Shanghai, China
Shanghai, a tiny fishing village 5,000 years ago, is today China’s largest city.
Day 9 – Cruise the Yellow Sea
These fabled waters were named for the color created by the sediments that flow here from China’s mainland rivers.
Day 10 – Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is a captivating blend of futuristic trends and sacred traditions.
Day 11 – Seoul, South Korea
South Korea’s capital, Seoul boasts a history stretching back two millennia.
Day 12 – Qingdao, China
Qingdao is rich in German and Japanese colonial mansions and half-timbered houses.
Day 13 – Dalian, China
Dalian, with rich history and many parks, is known as one of China’s most livable cities.
Day 14 – Beijing, China
From the Forbidden City to the Great Wall, Beijing holds over 3,000 years of history.
Day 15 – Beijing, China
Quiet warrens of courtyard homes, Beijing at its most authentic, recall the Peking of old.
Passage to India
Travel from Athens to Mumbai, with stops in between that include Haifa in Israel, Cairo, Luxor, Sharm el-Sheikh, Aqaba in Jordan, and Salālah and Muscat in Oman.
The route takes you across the Mediterranean, through the Suez Canal, and on to the fabled waters of the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.
With overnight stays in Athens, Haifa and Mumbai, travellers can take their time seeing the sites, while learning first-hand about the history and culture of these ancient civilisations.
Passage to India cruise itinerary
Day 1 – Athens, Greece
In Athens’s inviting Plaka District, historic buildings house cafés and restaurants.
Day 2 – Athens, Greece
The legacy of ancient Greece looms large atop Athens’s Acropolis Hill.
Day 3 – Cruise the Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea has borne innumerable legends and histories on storied shores.
Day 4 – Haifa, Israel
Seaside Haifa is one of Israel’s most important and beautiful cities.
Day 5 – Haifa, Israel
In Haifa, Bahá’í pilgrims flock to the hanging gardens that adorn Mount Carmel’s slopes.
Day 6 – Cairo, Egypt
Just outside Cairo, the Great Pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx hold ancient mysteries.
Day 7 – Scenic Cruising: Suez Canal
An engineering marvel, the Suez Canal is surrounded by desert sands stretching into Egypt.
Day 8 – Luxor, Egypt
Unearth the mysteries of Luxor, Egypt’s timeless city on the Nile River.
Day 9 – Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
Sharm el-Sheikh boasts scenic beaches, turquoise waters and starkly beautiful desert.
Day 10 – Aqaba, Jordan
Jordan’s only coastal city, scenic Aqaba is set amid coffee-colored desert hills.
Day 11 – Cruise the Red Sea
The fabled waters of the Red Sea are rich in history and legend.
Day 12 – Scenic Cruising: Bab El Mandeb Strait
The Bab el Mandeb strait is a historic gateway between the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
Day 13 – Cruise the Gulf of Aden
Sail a major shipping route as you cruise the Gulf of Aden.
Day 14 – Cruise the Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea has been critical to trade and cultural exchange for millennia.
Day 15 – Salālah, Oman
A crossroads on the historic Frankincense Route, Salālah holds a rich history.
Day 16 – Cruise the Omani Coast
The starkly beautiful coast of Oman was once central to a vibrant spice trade.
Day 17 – Muscat, Oman
Muscat, Oman’s romantic capital of whitewashed splendor, is rich in royal treasures.
Day 18 – Cruise the Arabian Sea
In the Age of Sail, all manner of spices, metals, gems and wine crossed the Arabian Sea.
Day 19 – Cruise the Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea has been critical to trade and cultural exchange for millennia.
Day 20 – Mumbai, India
Spread over seven islands, Mumbai preserves the cultural splendor of Bombay of old.
Day 21 – Mumbai, India
Historic Mumbai enjoys a magnificent seaside setting on the Arabian Sea.
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Across the Bay of Bengal
Retrace the centuries old route taken by famous explorers and spice traders on this 16-day journey from Mumbai to Bangkok.
Admire the Portuguese inspired architecture in Goa, explore all there is to see in Colombo, Sri Lanka on an overnight visit, and celebrate the rich culture in George Town and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
The cruise continues on to the vibrant city of Singapore before stopping in the famous beach destination of Koh Samui.
An overnight stay in Bangkok reveals riverside temples and the renowned Grand Palace.
Bay of Bengal cruise itinerary
Day 1 – Mumbai, India
Historic Mumbai enjoys a magnificent seaside setting on the Arabian Sea.
Day 2 – Mumbai, India
Spread over seven islands, Mumbai preserves the cultural splendor of Bombay of old.
Day 3 – Goa, India
Portuguese-influenced Goa is home to magnificent colonial-era architecture.
Day 4 – Cruise the Laccadive Sea
The Laccadive Sea is one of the world’s richest marine environments.
Day 5 – Colombo, Sri Lanka
This gracious nation has long been renowned for its cinnamon and spice trade.
Day 6 – Colombo, Sri Lanka
Brimming with old-world British charms, Colombo is the cultural hub of Sri Lanka.
Day 7 – Scenic Cruising: Bay of Bengal
The waters of the Bay of Bengal, the world’s largest bay, are sacred to many Hindus.
Day 8 – Scenic Cruising: Bay of Bengal
The largest bay in the world, the Bay of Bengal’s storied waters are rich in history.
Day 9 – Cruise the Strait of Malacca
The narrow Strait of Malacca is dotted with alluring emerald-green pulau, or islands.
Day 10 – George Town, Malaysia
A glorious celebration of culture, George Town is one of Asia’s most colorful corners.
Day 11 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The magnificent Petronas Towers are the centerpiece of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital.
Day 12 – Singapore, Singapore
The world’s only island city-state, Singapore is a sophisticated, glittering metropolis.
Day 13 – Scenic Cruising: Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand, set amid mountains, is home to Irrawaddy and Chinese white dolphins.
Day 14 – Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui is a paradise of coconut trees, coral reefs and long sand beaches.
Day 15 – Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is a repository of cherished gold, teak, and jade treasures.
Day 16 – Bangkok, Thailand
Amid the city’s cosmopolitan bustle, Bangkok’s sacred temples draw pilgrims from across the world.
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