Viking Ocean Cruises

The Vibe: Understated Elegance and Destination-Focused

Viking's atmosphere is calm, elegant, and focused on cultural enrichment. It's often described as the "thinking person's" cruise. You won't find casinos, loud music, water slides, or a "party atmosphere." Instead, the focus is on a relaxed environment, intellectual pursuits, and deep dives into the destinations you visit. The onboard experience is designed to complement the onshore exploration, with educational lectures, cultural performances, and a strong emphasis on a serene and comfortable journey. The dress code is "elegant casual," with no formal nights.

Destinations: Exploring the World in Depth

Viking's itineraries are known for being immersive and destination-intensive. They offer voyages to six continents, with a focus on spending more time in port and often including overnight stays.

Regions: Their destinations include Europe (Scandinavia, British Isles, Mediterranean), North America (Alaska, Canada, Caribbean), South America, Asia, and Australia & New Zealand.
Unique Itineraries: Viking is known for its world cruises and grand journeys, which can last for several weeks or even months. Their smaller ships can also sail to unique locations, such as up the Thames River to London or into the Amazon.

Departure Ports: A Global Network

Viking's departure ports are as diverse as their itineraries. They sail from major global hubs and more niche ports to facilitate their destination-focused cruises. Some of the many departure ports include:

North America: Fort Lauderdale, New York, Los Angeles, Montreal.
Europe: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bergen, London, Istanbul, Athens.
Other: Auckland, Sydney, Buenos Aires.

The Ships: Small and Purpose-Built

Viking's ocean fleet consists of small, identical sister ships designed to access ports that larger ships cannot. This allows them to dock closer to city centers, reducing travel time to attractions.

Ship Size: The main ocean vessels, such as the Viking Star, are designed to carry approximately 930 guests.
Number of Ships: Viking has a fleet of over 90 vessels, which includes both ocean and river cruises. Currently, they have a number of ocean-going ships that carry between 1,400 and 1,530 passengers and crew, as well as a smaller class of expedition ships.

The Cabins: All Veranda, All the Time

A hallmark of a Viking ocean cruise is that every single cabin comes with a private veranda. The staterooms are a blend of Scandinavian design and functional comfort, with a serene color palette.

Standard Features: All cabins include a king-size bed, a large shower, heated bathroom floors, an LCD TV with on-demand movies, a safe, and a mini-bar.
Stateroom Categories: While all rooms have verandas, they vary in size and amenities. The Veranda and Deluxe Veranda cabins are the smallest, while Penthouse Veranda and various suites offer more space, upgraded services, and additional perks like complimentary mini-bar replenishment and priority restaurant reservations.

What Is Included

Viking's pricing is often higher than mainstream cruise lines, but this is because a significant number of amenities are included in the base fare, reducing the "nickel-and-diming" that can occur on other lines.

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call.
All meals, including specialty restaurants with no extra charge.
Beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
24-hour room service.
Unlimited bottled water.
Wi-Fi throughout the ship.
Access to the Thermal Suite spa facilities.
Port taxes and fees.
Enrichment lectures and destination performances.

What Is NOT Included

Gratuities (these can be pre-paid).
Premium alcoholic beverages (a "Silver Spirits" beverage package is available for an additional cost).
Optional shore excursions (in addition to the one included per port).
Spa treatments and salon services.
Airfare (though special promotions with free or reduced airfare are common).

Onboard Activities & Entertainment

The onboard activities are designed for intellectual and cultural engagement, not high-energy entertainment.

Educational: Expert guest lecturers, "Port Talks" to prepare you for the next day's destination, and "Munch Moments" which showcase the art of Edvard Munch.
Leisure & Relaxation: Two pools (a heated main pool with a retractable roof and an Infinity Pool at the stern), a comprehensive library, a quiet spa with a complimentary thermal suite, a state-of-the-art gym, and board games.
Entertainment: Live music, including classical and jazz, in the lounges and atrium. Destination-specific performances are also featured, such as a traditional Greek dancing show or a Portuguese fado concert. Viking ships do not have a large Broadway-style theater or large-scale production shows.

Pros

Highly Inclusive Fare: The cost of the cruise covers many expenses that are often extra on other lines, such as specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions.
Adult-Only Experience: No children under 18 are allowed, creating a peaceful and sophisticated atmosphere.
Destination-Focused: The itineraries are designed to maximize time in port, with overnight stays and easy access to city centers.
Uncrowded and Relaxed: With a small number of guests, the ships never feel crowded, and there are always quiet spaces to relax.
Excellent Onboard Enrichment: The lecture series and cultural performances provide a deeper understanding of the places you visit.

Cons

Higher Upfront Cost: The initial price of the cruise can be higher than competitors.
Limited Entertainment: Those who enjoy casinos, large-scale production shows, or a lively nightlife may find the onboard experience too subdued.
Not for Families: The adult-only policy makes Viking unsuitable for multi-generational travel with children.
Fewer Dining Options: While the dining is high-quality, the number of restaurants is smaller compared to larger ships.