From its humble beginnings operating just a handful of river cruise vessels to becoming one of the world’s largest and most loved river and ocean cruise operators, Viking’s journey has been an epic one.
Now, after 20 years, Viking has become a world leader in luxury cruising.
In 1997, the fledgling company set out to bring a level of style and service previously unseen in the river cruise market. With its luxury, all-inclusive approach and its commitment to immersive tours and cultural experiences, Viking quickly gained a reputation for service and quality.
In 2013, it brought that same commitment to the ocean cruise market as the company introduced a boutique style of cruising to many of the world’s top destinations.
And that drive for innovation continues.
In 2019, Viking will add its sixth ocean liner to the fleet and in doing so, will become the world’s largest small-ship cruise operator.
Today, Viking’s fleet comprises 62 river Longships and ocean cruise ships with more on the horizon.
“We are very excited to be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year as well as 10 years in Australia,” said Michelle Black, Managing Director of Viking Cruises Australia and New Zealand. “The last two years have been monumental for Viking with the launch of Viking Ocean Cruises which has far surpassed our expectations.
“We are looking forward to bringing our beautiful ocean ships in 2018 when Viking Sun will visit several Australian and New Zealand ports as part of our first world cruise and then again, when Viking Spirit will homeport out of Australia and New Zealand for three months at the end of 2018.”
Viking’s long list of accolades includes recent industry awards such as “Best for Design”, “Best Overall Contemporary Luxury”, “Best for Suites”, “Best for First-Timers”, “Best River Cruise Line”, “Best Ocean Cruise Line” and “Best Cruise Ship for Dining”.
Chairman of Viking Cruises, Torstein Hagen, said “Two decades ago when we started this company, modern river cruising was still unknown to most travellers. Now 20 years later, we are pleased that most travellers know river cruising and they know Viking as a household name.
“We lead the river cruise industry, and with our ocean cruises, we have transported the intimacy of a river cruise onto the open seas.
“With the arrival of our sixth ocean ship in 2019, we will be the largest small ship ocean cruise line and we look forward to introducing even more guests to the Viking way of travel.”
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Viking’s journey
1997 August 5 – Establishment of a passenger fleet in Leningrad County in Russia, beginning with the purchase of four river ships
2000 – The company purchases Europe’s KD River Cruises in order to grow its fleet, to leverage 40 years of river cruising experience and to acquire rights to prime docking locations in key European cities
2012 – Introduction of the revolutionary Viking Longships
2013 March – Ten Longships and a Guinness World Record for the most cruise ships christened in one day
2013 May – Viking announces it is reinventing ocean cruising with the launch of Viking Ocean Cruises
2014 March – Viking christens 16 Longships in a single day, a second Guinness World Record
2015 May 17 – Viking introduces its first ocean ship with the christening of Viking Star
2015 July – Travel+Leisure readers name Viking River Cruises #1 “River Cruise Line”
2015 October – Cruise Critic names Viking Star “Best New Ocean Ship Of 2015”
2016 February – Announcement Viking will come to Australia and New Zealand for the first time
2016 March – Viking Ocean Cruises celebrates float out of third ocean ship, Viking Sky
2016 March – Viking christens 6 new Longships
2016 May – Viking Ocean Cruises christens second ship, Viking Sea, in London
2016 – New York’s Metropolitan Opera to bring Puccini’s classic love story, “La Bohème,” to Viking guests
2016 July – Travel+Leisure readers again name Viking #1 Ocean Cruise Line in 2016 “World’s Best Awards”
2016 October – Viking Star Arrives in New York following first Transatlantic Crossing
2016 December – Float-out of Viking Sun, Viking’s fourth ocean ship
2017 January – Viking announces Egypt and a dedicated ship for the Nile; Viking Ra
2017 February – Viking Dominates 2017 Cruisers’ Choice Awards with several gongs
2017 March – Viking Cruises Celebrates the launch of two new Longships, Viking Hild and Viking Herja
2017 March – Viking ocean cruises launches new “Resident Historian Program”
2017 June – Viking christens third ocean ship, Viking Sky, in Norway
2017 July – Travel+Leisure readers name Viking “#1 Ocean Cruise Line” in 2017 “World’s Best Awards” for the second time
What’s to come? Viking Spirit will arrive in 2018, and the sixth, yet-to-be-named ocean ship, in 2019.
What Viking is not
Forget Vegas style shows and umbrella drinks, Viking’s approach is one of sophistication and luxury.
Its approach to river and ocean cruising has always been to “reinvent” the experience. So, on these vessels, it’s only adults, no casinos, no ship photographers or waterslides … just thoughtful and well designed river and ocean cruise vessels.
Small ship ocean cruising
When Viking set out to reinvent the ocean cruise experience, the focus was on guest experience and destination highlights.
Ships carry a maximum of 930 guests and like river cruise journeys, everything is included with no credit card required.
And because of their small-ship size, Viking vessels are able to dock in central locations at each port. Viking ocean vessels are the only cruise line able to sail up the Thames in London for example.
20th anniversary specials
To celebrate Viking’s birthday, a super sale is underway on most cruise itineraries. Choose from various options including $1000 shipboard credit, free flights to Asia and Europe on select sailings or an air-credit towards flights.
Sample itineraries include:
SCANDINAVIA AND KIEL CANAL + GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR
Combine the best of both worlds with an ocean and river cruise combination. Unique to Viking, this cruise takes in the sights of the Baltic with stops in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and The Netherlands before you embark on a river cruise through the heart of Europe between Amsterdam and Budapest.
From: Copenhagen – Amsterdam – Budapest
Duration: 25-days
From: $15,590*pp
Bonus: $1,000 shipboard credit per couple PLUS fly free to Europe
*All prices correct at time of publish and subject to availability at time of booking. Call for the most up-to-date rates.
IN SEARCH OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
A new itinerary for Viking, experience a land where dawn and twilight merge on the edges of the long Arctic night in search of the Aurora Borealis.
From: London to Bergen or V.V.
Duration: 13-days
From: $9,095*pp
Bonus: $1,000 air credit per person
*All prices correct at time of publish and subject to availability at time of booking. Call for the most up-to-date rates.
VIKING HOMELANDS
The Baltic still belongs to Viking. Tour scenic fjords, towns and cities over 15-days between Stockholm and Bergen via eight countries including Russia.
From: Stockholm to Bergen or V.V.
Duration: 15-days
From: $11,095*pp
Bonus: $1,000 air credit per couple OR $1,000 shipboard credit
*All prices correct at time of publish and subject to availability at time of booking. Call for the most up-to-date rates.
WATERWAYS OF THE TSARS
Explore the real Russia from Moscow to St. Petersburg as Russia is revealed as never before.
From: Moscow to St. Petersburg or V.V.
Duration: 13-days
From: $7,895*pp
Bonus: Fly FREE to Russia
*All prices correct at time of publish and subject to availability at time of booking. Call for the most up-to-date rates.
CHATEAUX, RIVERS AND WINE
Travelling round trip from Bordeaux over eight magical days, you will explore the ports, vineyards, farms and forests of Europe’s once richest region.
From: Bordeaux roundtrip
Duration: 8-days
From: $3,495*pp
Bonus: Fly to Europe for $995pp
*All prices correct at time of publish and subject to availability at time of booking. Call for the most up-to-date rates.