Viking Named A “World’s Best” For Rivers, Oceans And Expeditions By Readers Of Travel + Leisure In 2025 Awards

Travel + Leisure readers have voted Viking® (www.viking.com) a “World’s Best” for rivers, oceans and expeditions in the 2025 World’s Best Awards, which were announced today. Viking was once again named #1 for Expeditions, a position it has maintained since its first year of eligibility in that category, and was voted one of the World’s Best river and ocean lines. Viking is also rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. No other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards—an annual celebration of excellence across the travel industry. Since 1995, Travel + Leisure, the largest travel magazine brand in the U.S., has invited its discerning readers to cast their vote for the World’s Best in cruising with consideration in the following categories: cabins/facilities, food, service, itineraries/destinations, excursions/activities and overall value.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire Viking family around the world,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “From the beginning, we have chosen to do things differently. We remain committed to that philosophy as we continue to welcome more curious travelers to experience the Viking way of exploration around the world.”

The recognition continues to build on Viking’s accolades. In addition to awards from Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, Viking was named Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples and Best Line in the Mediterranean in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Cruise Lines ranking for the fourth consecutive year. Viking’s ocean ships have also been rated and “Recommended” as part of the Forbes Travel Guide 2024 Star Awards, an annual independent evaluation for luxury travel brands. Additionally, Cruise Critic honored Viking with seven awards across the Luxury (Ocean), River and Expedition categories 2024 Best in Cruise Awards.

Viking Celebrates The Float Out Of The New Viking Aton, Continuing To Build On Commitment To Egypt

Viking® (www.viking.com) today announced its newest ship for the Nile River—the 82-guest Viking Aton—was "floated out," marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in August 2023, the Viking Aton will join the company's growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships purpose-built for the Nile River and sail Viking's bestselling 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. Viking has seen very strong demand in Egypt, with the 2023 season now sold out and many 2024 sailing dates already sold out. The surge in demand has led Viking to open 2025 sailing dates sooner than originally expected.

"We are pleased with the continued strong interest for our Nile River voyages. Our guests are curious explorers, and Egypt remains a destination of great interest for its many cultural treasures," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "We are proud to be the only western company to build, own and operate ships on the Nile, and with the float out of the Viking Aton, we look forward to welcoming more guests to experience this fantastic region."

The traditional float out ceremony took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out of Viking Aton began at approximately 1:00 p.m. local time when Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen and Sayed Farouk, Chairman of The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.), together pressed the button that signaled to lower the ship-lift of the yard. She will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

The Viking Aton & Viking's Growing Egypt Fleet

Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the new, state-of-the-art Viking Aton is inspired by Viking's award-winning river and ocean ships with the elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. The identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris, which was named in 2022 by Viking's first ceremonial godfather, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, the Viking Aton features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. In addition to the Viking Osiris, the Viking Aton will join the Viking Ra, which launched in 2018. In response to strong demand, Viking will have six ships sailing the Nile by 2025 with the addition of two new sister ships, the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek, which are already under construction and will be delivered in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Viking's Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary

During the 12-day, Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, guests begin with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, or the Grand Egyptian Museum. Guests then fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River, featuring Privileged Access to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings, and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional elementary school. Finally, the journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.

For guests looking to extend their journey, Viking also offers Pre and Post Extensions that provide Privileged Access to archives and exhibits. Guests on the five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension will begin the journey in London, where they will meet their Viking Tour Director, an expert Egyptologist, and experience Privileged Access to two museums: first a private, early morning visit to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum before it opens to the general public – and then a visit to the home and personal museum of world-renowned architect, Sir John Soane, where the tour will be illuminated by candlelight, a re-enactment of how Soane entertained guests and showcased his exquisite collection of Egyptian antiquities, including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus. Guests will also visit London's Petrie Museum, which houses more than 80,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt and Sudan. In Oxford, guests will visit the Ashmolean Museum, one of the oldest in the world, and home to a varied collection of Egyptian mummies and art—and go behind the scenes at Oxford University's Griffith Institute, where they will enjoy a Privileged Access visit to see Howard Carter's archives, which detail the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. Lastly, guests will have further Privileged Access with an exclusive visit to Highclere Castle to view the Earl's magnificent private collection of Egyptian artifacts, as well as archives and exhibits not normally accessible to the public.

Additional offerings include a Pre Extension in Jerusalem where guests will explore the ancient history and vibrant culture of Israel's fascinating capital and a Post Extension to Jordan – Petra, Dead Sea & Amman to view Roman antiquities at Jerash, Crusader-era castles at Kerak or Shobak and experience the lost city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Viking's Newest Ocean Ship Named In Los Angeles By NASA Astronaut & Aquanaut Nicole Stott

Viking® (www.viking.com) named its newest ocean ship, the Viking Neptune®, with a celebration on Sunday in Los Angeles. As part of the event, the ship's ceremonial godmother, Nicole Stott, retired NASA astronaut, aquanaut and artist, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship—a maritime tradition that dates back thousands of years. The Viking Neptune arrived in Los Angeles early in the morning on January 8 and departed for Honolulu following the naming ceremony. The ship is currently sailing the 2022-2023 Viking World Cruise, an epic voyage from Fort Lauderdale to London that spans 138-days, 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities. The naming of the Viking Neptune also comes at a time of record sales for Viking, with the launch of Viking's new 25th Anniversary Sale on January 1 resulting in the highest number of bookings in one week in the company's history.

"Today is a proud day for the entire Viking family as we name our newest ocean ship in Los Angeles, the home of Viking's U.S. office for more than 20 years," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "The Viking Neptune is a ship named for both the furthest planet in our solar system and the god of the sea—and our newest Viking godmother, Nicole Stott, as a NASA astronaut and aquanaut, also has connections to space and the sea. We are grateful for her many contributions to the scientific community and are proud to have her as part of the Viking family."

"It is an honor and privilege to be the godmother of the new Viking Neptune. As someone who has been blessed to explore space, the ocean, and some of the otherworldly places on our planet, I understand the importance of broadening one's horizons through travel. I am very excited for all those who journey around the world on this elegant vessel," said Nicole Stott.

In keeping with the naming tradition, during the ceremony Nicole used a historic Viking broad axe to cut a ribbon that allowed a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship's hull. Prior to the ribbon cutting, the axe was presented to Nicole by Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world's leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter®, who used it when naming her ship in January 2020. Event guests also enjoyed performances from Sissel and Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold.

Nicole Stott, Godmother of the Viking Neptune

A veteran NASA astronaut, Nicole Stott's experience includes two spaceflights and 104 days spent living and working in space on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS). She has performed one space walk and was the first person to fly the robotic arm to capture the free-flying HTV cargo vehicle, the last crew member to fly to and from their ISS mission on a Space Shuttle, and a member of the final flight crew of Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-133. Nicole is also a NASA aquanaut who lived and worked on the Aquarius Undersea Habitat for 18 days.

She is the author of Back to Earth: What Life In Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet – And Our Mission To Protect It. Also an artist, Nicole painted the first watercolor painting in space—and is a co-founder of the Space for Art Foundation, which unites a planetary community of children through the awe and wonder of space exploration and the healing power of art. Through her work, Nicole inspires everyone's appreciation of our role as crewmates here on "spaceship" Earth.

The Viking Neptune

The Viking Neptune is the newest ship in Viking's award-winning ocean fleet of identical sister ships, which also includes the Viking Star®, the Viking Sea®, the Viking Sky®, the Viking Orion®, the Viking Jupiter®, the Viking Venus®, and the Viking Mars®. In April, Viking will also welcome another new ocean ship, the Viking Saturn®. Classified by Cruise Critic as "small ships," Viking's ocean vessels have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests; the ships feature all veranda staterooms, Scandinavian design, light-filled public spaces and abundant al fresco dining options.

Although identical to Viking's other ocean ships, the Viking Neptune is uniquely equipped with a small hydrogen fuel system, making it the cruise industry's first ship to test the use of hydrogen power for on board operations. Viking is using the small system as a test to determine how hydrogen fuel could be used at a larger scale in future newbuilds.

Booking Details

From now through January 31, 2023, Viking is offering a 25th Anniversary Sale, with a $25 deposit, special savings, and up to free international airfare on river, ocean and expedition voyages. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel agent for details.

Travelore Tips For Vegan Travelers

Unless you are planning to have all of your meals at a resort or on a luxury cruise ship, being a vegan traveller can be challenging. We can highly recommend both Viking Cruises and Regent Seven Seas for Vegan travel, both serving delicious and creative vegan alternatives including breads and amazing desserts.

Just Ask

1. Finding an option can be as simple as asking - Most restaurants will allow some kind of substitution when it comes to ordering food. You can look for vegetarian options on the menu and request them without dairy and eggs or find meat options without dairy and eggs and request either a vegetable substitution or a vegan protein option if there is one available. Remember that vegetables have lots of protein and can be greatly satisfying alone.

Use Apps

2. Use apps like Google maps or Happy Cow - On Google Maps, you can find a vegan restaurant near you with a simple search. While Happy Cow will show you fully vegan, vegan - friendly, vegetarian or vegetarian-friendly restaurants around town and somewhat close to you, google maps will show you a restaurant nearer to you with some options you can work with. Google is a bit of a more convenient option for vegan eating on the go, but if you are willing to go the distance to find the restaurants registered with Happy Cow, you can find more options all together at once.

Ghost Kitchen

3. Be Prepared for Vegan Restaurants to be Ghost Kitchens - Many vegan restaurants are not places where you can have a sit down meal. To prepare for this, have a space ready to eat your meal. You can search for a nearby park or some kind of outdoor seating. You could also use the spaces in your hotel or vacation rental to dine.

BYOP

4. BYO Vegan Protein - Bringing your own protein on the go is another easy option. You can bring a number of different kinds of things. You can bring lunch meat, hot dogs, hamburgers, and countless other things.

Diversity is Key

5. Oftentimes, the easiest way to find vegan options is by looking for restaurants from cultures that have a large meatless element to their diets. These diets will often include some kind of vegan protein as well as countless vegetable options. These kinds of foods can be found at Mediterranean, Indian, Thai, Lebanese, and Vietnamese restaurants.

Think Spiritual Communities

6. Look for religious groups who eat meatless - In many places, around the world and within the United States, there are various religious groups who follow a vegan diet. These groups can be found anywhere with various religious associations. Sometimes they even offer free meals to groups on a certain day of the week.

Cook on the go

7. Consider cooking in your hotel room - Another great option to consider is bringing cooking appliances on the road to cook for yourself. You can buy or bring appliances such as a small electric fry pan, a small crockpot, or a small blender to make vegan meals for yourself in your hotel room on the road.

Consider Renting a House

8. Get a vacation rental - Getting a vacation rental is always going to be a great option for vegans because though you may go up in price or your accommodations, you will go down in price on food and the cost will balance out. It also gives you control over your meals. Your vacation will be a bit of a disappointment if you cannot find yummy foods to eat, so it’s great to know that you can go back to your unit to prepare them yourself.

Bring your food with you

9. Pack a fully cooked meal - One great, though possibly harder, option will be bringing your own meal to places like planes and other transportation modes. You can bring food inside of a cooler or a cooler bag. You could also bring food specially wrapped up and sealed with you to ensure you’ll have an option.

Do Your Research

10. Do your research - Like with anything you do, the best thing to do to be prepared for your journey is to do your research. It’s easy to google where in your destination there will be vegan options or restaurants available. You could find out which market to buy vegan options from or even which markets offer freshly cooked vegan meals. A great place to find this information is in our facebook group, Vegan Soul Food.

These tips are contributed by Rev. Dr. Brooke Brimm. Her non-profit Brooke Brimm Ministries, Inc., 501c3, supports women and she is also the founder of two Facebook groups offering guidance. Vegan Soul Food has over 215,000 members who enjoy plant-based food and Metaphysical Black Women is comprised of 2,200 Black women who are of all religions.

Brooke teaches yoga and plant-dominant cooking weekly in Atlanta and online. She is sought after to facilitate her women-centered and holistic programs at conferences, retreats, and special gatherings throughout the world.

For more information, please visit:http://vegansoulfood.co/

Viking Mississippi Cruise Ship Touches Water For First Time

A Swiss company’s plan to offer tourists cruises along the length of the Mississippi River drew a step closer to reality this week as its new 386-passenger ship was floated out of a south Louisiana shipyard.

Viking River Cruises of Basel, which in 2015 announced the plans for Mississippi River cruises, toasted the completion of the Viking Mississippi in a celebration Monday at a Houma shipyard.

Two U.S. companies already offer cruises up and down the river, which flows 2,350 miles (3,780 kilometers) from its source at Minnesota’s Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. American Queen Voyages, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and American Cruise Lines, based in Guilford, Connecticut, expect to carry a total of 50,000 people on the Mississippi this year, spokespeople said.

The Viking Mississippi is billed by the Swiss competitor as “the largest and most modern ship in the region.” It is to make its first voyage in June between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota — a trip that would take about 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometers) by car but is about 1,700 miles (2,700 kilometers) on the twisting river.

“It is a proud moment that this new ship has met an American waterway for the first time,” Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, said in a news release. “Our guests have long wanted to sail the Mississippi River with Viking, and we very much look forward to welcoming them on board this summer.”

Company officials said the Viking Mississippi is expected to draw more than 7,500 passengers to the river this year and more than 17,600 during the first full sailing season in 2023.

The Viking Mississippi plans stops in seven states: Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Darrow, New Orleans and St. Francisville); Mississippi (Natchez and Vicksburg); Tennessee (Memphis); Missouri (Hannibal, St. Louis); Iowa (Burlington, Dubuque and Davenport); Wisconsin (La Crosse); and Minnesota (Red Wing, St. Paul).

Meanwhile, American Queen Voyages has three paddlewheel cruise boats that operate on the Mississippi, the smallest able to carry 166 passengers and the largest 417, spokesperson Michael Hicks said. He added that the company expects about 20,000 passengers on the Mississippi River this year.

American Cruise Lines has two paddlewheelers and three modern riverboats on the river and plans to launch a fourth modern riverboat late this year, spokesperson Alexa Paolella said. Both also operate in other parts of the United States. She said the boats will carry 30,000 on Mississippi River routes this year.

American Cruise Lines’ 15 river and coastal cruise ships all were upgraded during the off-season, with the most extensive work on the line’s four paddlewheelers, a company news release said Wednesday.

“Viking’s boat will also be lovely, but American Cruise Lines’ new modern series riverboats are equally if not more beautiful,” Paolella wrote in an email.

Cruise News: Viking Neptune Floats Out At Fincantieri In Ancona

The Viking Neptune was floated out on Thursday at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

It's another 930-guest, 47,800-ton ship for Viking, the eighth in the series. Another nine ships (including options) are planned through 2027.

Viking Neptune is slated to enter service later this year.

Fincantieri started its partnership with Viking in 2012.

Today, the cooperation which first began with an order for two ships, has reached a total of 20 units, including the order awarded to VARD for two expedition cruise ships, the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, and the two options.

About Viking

Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests The Thinking Person’s Cruise® in contrast to mainstream cruises. With more than 250 awards to its name, Viking has been rated the #1 River Cruise Line and #1 Ocean Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking has also been consistently rated the #1 ocean cruise line and one of the best river cruise lines in Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” Awards. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking’s award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv.

Source: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/

Viking Will Sail 138 Day World Cruises On Two Ships Due To Demand In 2023-2024

With Longer Voyages More Popular Than Ever, 138-Day World Cruise Visits 28 Countries and 57 Ports Viking® (www.viking.com) today announced its new 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise, which will span 138 days, 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities. As a result of strong demand among guests – with the 2021 and 2022 World Cruises selling out in record time – Viking for the first time will offer a choice of two departure dates for this popular extended voyage. Guests may choose to sail on Viking Sky®, which will depart on December 20, 2023, from Ft. Lauderdale – or on Viking Neptune®, which will depart Ft. Lauderdale on December 23, 2023; both ships will sail the identical itinerary in parallel.

From Florida, guests on the 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise will journey to Central America, before transiting the Panama Canal and sailing up the West Coast of North America. A shorter 121-day Viking World Journeys itinerary is also available, allowing guests to join in Los Angeles and cross the Pacific Ocean to call in Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, before exploring ports of call in Asia and the Middle East. Finally, the ships will journey through the Mediterranean and conclude the voyage in London.

“We are delighted to once again offer explorers the opportunity to circumnavigate the world in comfort. Our previous World Cruises sold out in a matter of weeks, and we are now seeing more interest in these extended voyages than ever before,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Like me, our guests are curious people; we view travel as an opportunity to discover, learn and grow. With that Viking spirit of exploration, our seamless World Cruises are possibly the greatest of all adventures.”

2023-2024 Viking World Cruise Highlights:

Viking’s newest World Cruise itinerary visits dozens of the world’s most iconic cities, alongside lesser-known destinations, in one continuous itinerary. Overnight stays in 11 ports, such as Sydney, Haifa, and Istanbul, and double overnights in Auckland, Bali, Ho Chi Minh, Yangon, and Mumbai allow guests to delve deeper. While on board, Viking offers cultural enrichment through onboard lectures and entertainment – such as the Viking Resident Historian® program, which provides guests with a high-level historical and cultural education specific to their journey. Guests will immerse themselves in the world’s rich cultures during included excursions that provide unmatched insight into daily life, as well as Privileged Access® visits to cultural institutions. Highlights of the new 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise itinerary include:

Kauai (Nawiliwili), Hawaii: The Garden Island – Explore the lush vegetation of tropical Kauai, nicknamed Hawaii’s “Garden Island.” Guests can embark on a scenic drive to Wailua, known as the “Land of the Kings,” to admire stunning nature including the 150-foot high ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls, visit Nawilliwilli’s Old Town and enjoy a walk along the beach, or peruse the shops of nearby Anchor Cove. Sydney, Australia: Iconic Harbor – Experience Sydney’s magnificent harbor, the world’s largest, and enjoy an overnight stay allowing ample time to explore this culture-rich city, from its world-class opera house to the natural wonders of the nearby Blue Mountains.

Singapore, Singapore: A Melting Pot of Cultures – Witness the remarkable cultural diversity of Singapore during an overnight stay. Take a tour of the city’s eclectic neighborhoods, from Little India to Arab Street, visit the futuristic horticultural park showcasing more than one million plants, or enjoy a Night Safari at the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park.

Mumbai, India: A City of Old and New – While in port in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai for two nights, guests have more time ashore to learn about the life and legacy of activist Mahatma Gandhi, enjoy the Hanging Gardens, one of the prized few parks found in the city, and explore the diversity of its neighborhoods, from the picturesque narrow streets of Old Mumbai to the colorful markets in the city’s center.

Istanbul, Turkey: Where East Meets West – Guests will enjoy ample time to experience this historic city during an overnight stay. Straddled across two continents and the Bosporus Strait, Istanbul offers a wealth of religious sites to explore such as the spectacular Blue Mosque or the legendary Hagia Sophia, and boasts delicious fusion cuisine, combining fresh Mediterranean fare with spices from the Far East and Asia.

London (Greenwich), England: The Royal Borough – The journey concludes in the historic Royal Borough of Greenwich, London on the Thames River, allowing easy access to the regal capital’s iconic sights, including the Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Viking Sky and Viking Neptune

Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests. Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet includes Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, Viking Sky®, Viking Orion®, Viking Jupiter® and Viking Venus®. Viking Neptune® will join the fleet in late 2022. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” Viking’s ocean fleet features modern Scandinavian design with elegant touches, intimate spaces and attention to detail. Highlights include:

All Veranda Staterooms: Guests can choose from five stateroom categories, starting from 270 sq. ft. Veranda Staterooms, all with private verandas, sweeping views of the destination and premium amenities that include king-size beds with luxury linens, generously proportioned closets, large interactive flat-screen LCD TVs with movies-on-demand, free Wi-Fi and award-winning bathrooms with large showers, premium Freyja® bath products and heated floors.

Explorer Suites: The ships feature 14 Explorer Suites, which are two-room suites ranging from 757 to 1,163 sq. ft. With expansive views from wraparound private verandas, as well as the most amenities and privileges of any category on board, Explorer Suites offer the ultimate sanctuary for World Cruise guests.

Two Pool Choices: In addition to the Main Pool with a retractable roof permitting any-season swimming, the ships feature a first-of-its-kind glass-backed Infinity Pool cantilevered off the stern, allowing guests to swim surrounded by their destination.

LivNordic Spa: In keeping with Viking’s Nordic heritage, The Spa on board is designed with the holistic wellness philosophy of Scandinavia in mind—from the centuries-old tradition of the sauna to a Snow Grotto where snowflakes gently descend from the ceiling through chilled air.

Explorers’ Lounge and Mamsen’s: Share a cocktail with friends. Linger over a Norwegian breakfast and a nautical history book. The Explorers’ Lounge and Mamsen’s gourmet deli are thoughtful spaces located at the bow of the ship and designed to represent the Scandinavian spirit for complete relaxation and for marveling at sweeping views through double-height windows. The Wintergarden: Guests looking for serenity will find it in the Wintergarden. In this elegant space under a canopy of Scandinavian trellised wood, guests can indulge in afternoon tea service.

Dining Choices: Viking’s ships offer eight dining options, all with no additional charge or fee—from fine dining in The Restaurant, which serves three full meals and a variety of culinary options, and the World Café, which features international fare and regional specialties including a sushi and seafood cold bar—to intimate alternative dining experiences at The Chef’s Table, which offers a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings, and Manfredi’s, which features freshly prepared pastas and Italian favorites. The Pool Grill specializes in gourmet burgers, while afternoon tea and scones are available in the Wintergarden. Mamsen’s serves Norwegian deli-style fare, and complimentary 24-hour room service allows all guests to enjoy many signature dishes in the comfort of their stateroom. Furthermore, with multiple choices for outdoor seating during meals, Viking’s ocean ships offer the most al fresco dining at sea. Additionally, The Kitchen Table specializes in regional dishes from market to table.

Cultural Enrichment: Viking experiences from ship to shore are designed for unparalleled access and cultural enrichment. Viking Resident Historians deliver high-level historical and cultural education specific to the journey, offering invaluable insight into the rich history of the destination. Guest Lecturers who are experts in their fields shed light on the destination’s art, architecture, music, geopolitics, natural world and more. Destination Performances represent the most iconic cultural performing arts of the region—whether it be Italian opera or Portuguese fado. Resident Classical Musicians—pianists, guitarists, violinists and flautists—perform classical compositions throughout the ships. And Culinary Classes in The Kitchen Table, Viking’s onboard cooking school, focus on regional cuisine.

Nordic Inspiration: Even the smallest details take their inspiration from the exploratory spirit of the original Vikings, reflecting deeply held Nordic traditions. Light wood grains, touches of slate and teak, Swedish limestone and fragrant juniper appear throughout the public spaces and Spa. The Clinker-built design of the Viking Bar mirrors the construction style of the original Viking Longships. A Viking Heritage Center provides history and context from the Viking Age. And characters from Norse Mythology are subtly incorporated into the design, providing curious guests with inspiration to further explore Viking’s Nordic heritage.

Booking Details

Pricing for the 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise starts at $54,995 per person; pricing for the 2024 Viking World Journeys itinerary starts at $49,995 per person, based on double-occupancy. Both of Viking’s new World Cruise itineraries offer up to $50,000 per couple in Viking Value, including Business Class international air, transfers to and from the ship, all shipboard gratuities and service fees, complimentary visa services, the Silver Spirits Beverage Package, and free luggage shipping services for embarkation. Guests who book between now and September 30, 2021 will receive an additional $2,000 per person in shore excursion credit for any optional land programs and $1,000 per person in shipboard credit which can be used toward optional tours, spa services, onboard shops and beverages. Viking Explorer Society members who book the 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise or Viking World Journeys through September 30, 2021 will receive an additional $1,000 in shipboard credit per person.

Viking Announces July 2021 Restart Of European River Sailings

“Welcome Back” Collection Now Includes Select River Itineraries in Portugal, France and Along the Rhine

Viking® (www.viking.com) announced today that it will restart its European river operations in July 2021 with select itineraries in Portugal, France and along the Rhine. Offered exclusively for vaccinated guests as part of Viking’s Welcome Back collection, the first five European river itineraries now available in July are among the company’s most popular: Rhine Getaway (8 days; Amsterdam to Basel), Portugal’s River of Gold (10 days; Lisbon to Porto), Paris & the Heart of Normandy (8 days; Paris roundtrip), Lyon & Provence (8 days; Avignon to Lyon) and France’s Finest, a 15-day journey that combines the northern and southern France itineraries in one seamless experience. This announcement comes immediately after the European Union agreed today to reopen its borders to vaccinated Americans and other travelers.

“The response to our initial Welcome Back ocean voyages has been overwhelmingly positive. It is clear that many people are eager to get back out into the world, and I would like to thank all of our destination partners for their support as we plan our return to service,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We have been delighted to greet our first guests back on board in England this week—and we are looking forward to welcoming travelers back on board some of our European river vessels in July.”

The announcement of Viking’s restart of European river cruise operations follows the launch of Welcome Back voyages exclusively for vaccinated guests in England, Iceland, Bermuda and the Mediterranean. Earlier this week Viking also named its newest ocean ship, Viking Venus®, in England—and the ship is currently sailing her maiden voyage along the coast of England with Chairman Torstein Hagen on board. The company is actively working on developing additional Welcome Back itineraries in a variety of other destinations, with the goal of announcing further 2021 sailings as soon as possible.

Those who sail these new voyages will also experience Viking’s industry-leading health and safety program. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Program was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking’s Chief Health Officer. Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corps—and most recently led Washington State’s medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a full-scale laboratory installed on every Viking ocean ship—and a strong network of dedicated shoreside labs for Viking river ships in Europe—all guests and crew will receive frequent quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests. New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms. And additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing measures will provide further protection for Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey. A complete overview of the Viking Health & Safety Program can be found at: www.viking.com/health-safety.

Viking Announces Completion Of First PCR Laboratory At Sea On The Viking Star

Viking® (www.viking.com) announced today that it has completed installation of the first full-scale PCR laboratory at sea. This new onboard facility – an industry first – allows for unprecedented testing capacity in the cruise industry, enabling Viking to conduct PCR testing of all crew members and guests with a non-invasive saliva test. The laboratory has enough capacity for daily testing of every crew member and guest, which provides flexibility to respond to COVID-19 prevalence levels around the world.

This first laboratory has been installed on Viking Star, the company's award-winning 930-guest ocean vessel; it will undergo a series of extensive tests to ensure the procedures and protocols that have been designed are fully effective.

The Viking Star. "We have been working on this for a number of months, and today is important as it moves us one step closer to operating cruises again, without compromising the safety of our guests and crew. The recently announced CDC guidelines are clearly aligned with our public health research, and we welcome the agency's push toward testing, as we believe this is the only way to safely operate. In our view, continuous PCR testing, along with our extensive onboard hygiene protocols, will lead to making Viking ships a safe place to get away to and explore the world," said Matt Grimes, Vice President of Maritime Operations for Viking. Viking will be demonstrating the PCR laboratory, as well as new design and operating procedures, when the Viking Star comes to Oslo, Norway in mid-November. About Viking Viking was founded in 1997 and offers destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests "the thinking person's cruise" in contrast to mainstream cruises. In its first five years of operation, Viking has been rated the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure's 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 "World's Best" Awards. In addition to the Travel + Leisure honors, Viking has also been honored multiple times on Condé Nast Traveler's "Gold List" as well as recognized by Cruise Critic as "Best Overall" Small-Mid size ship in the 2018 Cruisers' Choice Awards, "Best River Cruise Line" and "Best River Itineraries," with the entire Viking Longships® fleet being named "Best New River Ships" in the website's Editors' Picks Awards. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking's award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv. SOURCE Viking

Viking Cruise Line Is Building Two Cutting-Edge Ships — And One Is Headed For The Great Lakes

By LORI RACKL CHICAGO TRIBUNE

A rendering shows Viking's new expedition ship. Two of the vessels are under construction in Norway, and one of them will be dispatched to the Great Lakes. (Viking)

    

A big player in the cruise industry is diving into the Great Lakes market.

Switzerland-based Viking, which built its name plying the rivers of Europe, is extending its reach into North America in 2022 with voyages exploring the largest surface of fresh water in the world.

The announcement was made Wednesday night at an event in Beverly Hills, California, where Viking founder and chairman Torstein Hagen rolled out details about the cruise line’s upcoming “expedition” voyages. These include trips to far-flung locales like Antarctica and the Arctic, as previously reported, as well as newly revealed itineraries in the closer-to-home Great Lakes — an increasingly popular cruise destination.

“We began as Viking River Cruises; then we evolved into Viking Cruises with the addition of ocean cruises,” Hagen said in a written statement announcing the news. “Today we stand singularly as Viking, offering destination-focused voyages on more than 20 rivers, five oceans and five Great Lakes, visiting 403 ports in 95 countries and on all seven continents.”

The company is in the process of building two ships specifically tailored to expedition-style cruising.

The Hangar area functions as a marina within the ship, where passengers can board and disembark smaller excursion boats. (Viking)

The first vessel, Viking Octantis, is scheduled to make its maiden voyage in January 2022. It will be assigned to the Great Lakes and Antarctica. Its sister ship, Viking Polaris, is slated to come on board later that year, in August. Polaris will sail in the waters around Antarctica and the Arctic.

Both ships have capacity to hold 378 guests in 189 staterooms. The vessels are designed to be small and nimble enough to navigate remote polar areas and the St. Lawrence River, but big enough to handle potentially rough waters and not sacrifice passenger comfort.

All of the cabins come with a Nordic balcony, where the top portion of the floor-to-ceiling glass wall can be lowered to elbow level. The cabin shown here is a 322-square-foot Nordic Junior Suite. (Viking)

The cruise line’s initial Great Lakes offerings don’t include Chicago as a port of call. But most of the itineraries allow customers to tack on a two-night trip in the city as a pre- or post-cruise option for an additional charge.

Viking has four types of Great Lakes cruises in 2022:

• Undiscovered Great Lakes is an eight-day voyage from Thunder Bay, Ontario, to Milwaukee, with a passage between Lake Superior and Lake Huron via the Soo Locks. Passengers visit the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin and Michigan’s car-free Mackinac Island, among other stops. Trips run between May and September. Pricing starts at $6,695 per person.
• Great Lakes Explorer travels from Milwaukee to Thunder Bay over eight days. It has some of the same ports as Undiscovered Great Lakes. But this one also spends time in Canada’s Georgian Bay, often referred to as the sixth Great Lake, where passengers can opt to kayak around some of the bay’s 30,000-plus islands. Sailing dates between May and September; starting at $6,495.
• Niagara & the Great Lakes is another eight-day voyage, this one hitting Niagara Falls en route between Toronto and Milwaukee. Other stops include Detroit and Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes. It’s offered in April, May, June, July and September with prices from $5,995.
• The longest voyage of the bunch, Canadian Discovery is a 13-day excursion that starts in New York and meanders along Canada’s southeast coast to the St. Lawrence River. Passengers explore the marine-life rich Saguenay Fjord and can test their luck salmon fishing in Quebec’s Moisie River. This trip ventures into only one of the Great Lakes: Lake Ontario, where the voyage caps off in Canada’s biggest city, Toronto. Sailing dates are in April and October, with a minimum price tag of $8,995.

Prices include shore excursions, meals, some alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi and port fees.

The inaugural rates listed above are good through the end of February on 2022 and 2023 voyages. During that introductory booking period, Viking is throwing in free roundtrip airfare to and from major gateways in North America. Reservations can be made at viking.com/expeditions.

Unlike some expedition ships that are refurbished research vessels, Octantis and Polaris are being built with soaring windows to maximize views. A retractable glass dome covers an area with three different temperature pools. Each of the 665-foot-long ships has multiple dining venues, a spa and a fitness center.

The ship's auditorium is surrounded on three sides by floor-to-ceiling glass. The large bottom windows of the stage wall slide open for easy access to the terrace. (Viking)

Modern, Scandinavian-style staterooms range in size from a snug 222 square feet to the sprawling 1,223-square-foot owner’s suite with a large, private garden.

All of the cabins have king-size beds, heated bathroom floors and what’s called a Nordic balcony, where the top portion of the floor-to-ceiling glass wall can be lowered to elbow level to mimic a traditional balcony.

The expedition vessels, which are under construction in Norway, feature an enclosed marina dubbed The Hangar, where guests can board and disembark smaller, high-speed excursion boats from a stable surface protected from the elements.

An interior view of The Hangar. (Viking)

In a glass-covered mezzanine above The Hangar, Viking’s team of “resident scientists” will be conducting environmental research during the voyages. Passengers can visit the lab to learn more about the work and even lend a hand.

For the Great Lakes trips, Viking has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), whose scientists will join expeditions to study changes in the region’s weather, climate and ecosystems.

Each ship will be equipped with two submarines that can seat six guests for underwater exploration.

The ship's largest cabin is the owner's suite, measuring 1,223 square feet and featuring a spacious, private outdoor area. (Viking)

Seas can get rough in the polar regions — even in the Great Lakes. The Octantis’ and Polaris’ longer hulls, straight bows and what’s billed as state-of-the-art fin stabilizers are designed for smoother sailing. The company says U-tank stabilizers should decrease rolling by up to 50 percent when the ships are stationary.

Viking’s foray into expedition-style cruising marks the latest expansion for the fast-growing cruise line. In recent years, the proud “Downton Abbey” sponsor added small-ship ocean voyages to its lineup. The current fleet consists of 79 river and ocean vessels. Plans call for rolling out seven new river ships this year. Half a dozen ocean vessels are on order, with the option to add four more. That could bring Viking’s ocean fleet to 16 ships by 2027.

“We invented the concept of modern river cruising when we launched in 1997; then we reinvented ocean cruises and became the ‘World’s Best Ocean Cruise Line’ (Travel + Leisure magazine) in our first year of operation, as well as every year since then,” Hagen said in the press release. “Now, in creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition,’ we are perfecting polar expedition cruising, and we will usher in a new era of comfortable exploration in the heart of North America.”

Viking’s move into the Great Lakes is yet another sign that the drumbeat for cruising in the heart of North America is getting louder. Some customers like the idea of sticking closer to home as they age, while veteran cruisers are simply hungry for fresh destinations.

Operators that have been playing in this sandbox for years, such as Blount Small Ship Adventures, recently bulked up their brochures with additional trips, and lines that bailed on the area years ago are heading back. The French line Ponant returned last season, and German-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is debuting bilingual voyages in German and English aboard its new Hanseatic Inspiration later this year.

lrackl@chicagotribune.com

Original link: https://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/ct-trav-viking-great-lakes-0126-20200116-bbhtwhimyvbhnkeviyfyfy7m4u-story.html