Viking River Cruises

Learn More About Viking River Cruises

Viking is a leading small-ship cruise line founded in 1997 with a vision of destination-focused and culturally immersive travel, Viking has since grown into a renowned travel company with over 250 awards to its name. The company's operational office is based in Basel, Switzerland, and it provides curious travelers with destination-focused itineraries that include different shore excursions at every stop and an onboard and onshore enrichment program.

In the year 2000, Viking purchased Europe's KD River Cruises, which allowed the company to grow its fleet and acquire rights to prime docking locations in key European cities. In the same year, Viking established a sales and marketing office in Los Angeles, California, marking its entry into the American market. Today, Viking operates a fleet of state-of-the-art ships that have received numerous accolades from industry experts and travelers alike.

Viking's Europe river ships, 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. Europe river voyages range from 8 to 23 days, with itineraries featuring Europe's Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle, Elbe, Dordogne, Garonne, and Gironde Rivers.

In addition to its Europe river voyages, Viking also offers voyages on Egypt's Nile River and Southeast Asia's Mekong River. The company recently launched new destination-focused travel experiences on the Mississippi River in 2022, with sailings ranging from 8 to 15 days between New Orleans, Louisiana, and St. Paul, Minnesota. Viking's introduction to the Mississippi River is a significant investment in tourism and economic growth for communities along the river. Viking's new Mississippi River itineraries will feature scheduled ports of call in seven US states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Viking's commitment to cultural immersion and enrichment is evident in its onboard and onshore programs. Each journey includes 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. Viking's state-of-the-art ships feature elegant Scandinavian design, expansive windows, and comfortable amenities, making them the perfect vessels for destination-focused and culturally enriching travel experiences.

Viking's commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in its high customer satisfaction ratio and the numerous awards it has won based on user reviews. These awards include Travel + Leisure's World's Best award and Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice award for the #1 River Line and #1 Ocean Line. Viking also offers air services for its customers' convenience and provides opportunities for customization to ensure that each traveler's expectations and desires are met.

• Viking was founded in 1997 and had the hope of offering destination-focused and culturally immersive travel experiences.
• The company is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and has a sales and marketing office in Los Angeles, California.
• In 2000, Viking purchased Europe's KD River Cruises, which helped grow its fleet and provided access to prime docking locations in key European cities.
• Each journey with Viking includes a shore excursion in every port and an onboard and onshore enrichment program for deep immersion in the destination.
• Viking offers voyages on Europe's Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle, Elbe, Dordogne, Garonne, and Gironde Rivers.
• The company also offers voyages on Egypt's Nile River and Southeast Asia's Mekong River.
• Viking possesses a modern and sophisticated fleet of ships, which features the groundbreaking Viking Longships. These ships offer an array of stateroom categories and genuine two-room suites that include full-size verandas.
• The Viking Longships feature al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, elegant Scandinavian design, and environmentally considerate features.
• For the year 2022, Viking introduced fresh destination-oriented travel experiences on the Mississippi River. These new voyages offer a range of 8 to 15 days of sailing between St. Paul, Minnesota, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and prioritize providing a unique and immersive travel experience for its passengers.
• Viking is committed to sustainable travel and has implemented environmentally considerate features on its ships, such as solar panels and energy-efficient hybrid engines.
• Viking sponsors TV programs like Masterpiece Theater, Sherlock, Downtown Abbey, and the National Geographic Channel's scripted series on the life of Albert Einstein called Genius.
• Viking has received over 250 awards from industry experts and travelers alike, including being named the top River Line and the #1 Ocean Line by Condé Nast Traveler in 2022.

Top Reasons To Choose Viking River Cruises

• Destination-Focused Itineraries:  One of the top reasons to use this company is its destination-focused itineraries. With each journey, travelers get to immerse themselves in the local culture and history of each destination they visit.
• State-of-the-Art Ships:  This company operates a fleet of state-of-the-art ships that have received numerous awards since their launch. These ships are designed with comfort and luxury in mind, offering travelers a top-notch travel experience.
• Scandinavian Design:  The ships feature elegant Scandinavian designs, offering travelers a stylish and comfortable environment to relax and unwind.
• Al Fresco Dining:  The revolutionary indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace on the ships offers al fresco dining with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, providing a unique and memorable dining experience.
• Two-Room Suites:  The company's fleet of identical Viking Longships offers a variety of stateroom categories and true two-room suites with full-size verandas, providing travelers with ample space and comfort.
• Inclusive Shore Excursions:  Another great reason to use this company is its inclusive shore excursions. With every port visit, travelers get to experience guided tours and activities that are included in their trip, providing them with a hassle-free travel experience.
• Prime Docking Locations:  The company has acquired rights to prime docking locations in key European cities, which means that travelers can easily access the city center and all its attractions
• Mississippi River Voyages:  With the launch of new destination-focused travel experiences on the Mississippi River, this company provides modern river voyages on the largest and most modern ship in the region.
• Sustainable Travel:  This company is committed to sustainable travel practices, such as using energy-efficient hybrid engines, having an onboard organic herb garden, and incorporating solar panels on their ships.
• Enrichment Programs:  Viking provides both onboard and onshore enrichment programs that aim to immerse travelers in the destination's culture and history. These programs include a range of activities such as musical and artistic performances, cooking demonstrations, informative port talks, and lectures from guest speakers who are carefully selected for their expertise.
• Commitment to Economic Development:  By bringing modern river voyages to the Mississippi River, this company has made a major commitment to tourism and economic development in many communities along the river, making it a great choice for travelers who want to support sustainable tourism.
• Award-Winning:  With 250 awards to its name, this company is consistently recognized for its outstanding service and exceptional travel experiences. It has been voted the #1 River Line and the #1 Ocean Line by Condé Nast Traveler and named #1 for both Rivers and Oceans by Travel + Leisure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Viking River Cruises

• What types of cruises does Viking offer?

  Viking offers a variety of cruise options, including river, ocean, and expedition voyages across the globe. Their river cruises in Europe, Egypt, and Southeast Asia are particularly popular, as are their newly launched Mississippi River cruises in the United States.

• What is included in the price of a Viking cruise?

  Viking's cruise prices are all-inclusive, meaning they include accommodations, meals, shore excursions, onboard entertainment, enrichment programs, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Alcoholic beverages and some optional excursions may incur additional charges.

• What is the typical age range of passengers on a Viking cruise?

  Viking attracts a wide range of travelers, but their river and ocean cruises tend to appeal most to adults 50 years and older. However, their expedition voyages and Mississippi River cruises may attract a slightly younger demographic.

• What kind of activities are available on board a Viking ship?

  Viking offers a variety of onboard activities and entertainment, including cultural performances, cooking demonstrations, art exhibits, and lectures by guest speakers. There are also fitness centers, swimming pools, and outdoor walking tracks available on select ships.