Everything you need to know about Viking

Long known for its river cruises, Viking’s story began in 1997 when owner Torstein Hagen started the company with four ships and a focus on destination-intensive itineraries. Rapid expansion followed, and by 2000, Viking had become the largest river cruise operator in Europe.

Fast forward to 2025 and the line – whose ships personify Scandi chic – now offers voyages on Egypt’s Nile River, Southeast Asia’s Mekong River and the USA’s Mississippi River, alongside Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle, Elbe, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers.

Not content to rest on its laurels, the company entered the ocean cruise market in 2015 with the launch of the 930-passenger, all-veranda Viking Star. Today, Viking’s ocean fleet includes 14 identical, new-build ocean ships plus two luxury expedition vessels.

All are adults-only and all-inclusive. Translation? You don’t have to worry about forking out extra for food, return flights, drinks, tips, Wi-fi and excursions as they are all included.

Who should cruise with Viking?

Being a Norwegian-owned line, you’d expect Viking to attract mostly Scandinavians, but it’s Americans who are responding to Viking’s offering with enthusiasm.

Regardless of nationality, Viking’s range of river, ocean and expedition cruises tends to entice those after elegance and exclusivity – but who don’t necessarily want to dress up to the nines either.

Comfortable and casual attire is the name of the game during the day, while smart/casual suffices for evenings – meaning that while you are very welcome to wear a cocktail dress or a jacket/blazer, they aren’t required.

Due to the relatively high prices, the operator tends to attract mature passengers with deep pockets – but they tend to be fit, full of life and possess a keen interest in the places they visit. To this end, itineraries invariably include overnight stays in port and a complimentary excursion at every stop, allowing guests to get under the skin of the destinations.

On board, you can expect expert-led talks on local art, architecture and wildlife, as well as cooking classes led by Viking chefs during which you’ll learn how to prepare delicious regional dishes you can then recreate back home.

Given that the focus is firmly on enrichment and education, what you won’t find on board any Viking ship are casinos, Broadway-style theatre shows, and more restaurants, bars and entertainment venues than you can shake a stick at. As founder Torstein Hagen is fond of saying: “Viking is the thinking person's cruise, not the drinking person's cruise."

What destinations and itineraries do Viking offer?

Seeing as Viking is synonymous with river cruising, it makes sense to start here. In Europe, Viking river ships operate on all the main rivers – step forward the Rhine, Main, Danube, Douro, Moselle and Elbe – on itineraries ranging from one week to 23 days.

Further afield, the line offers river cruises on the mystical Nile in Egypt. Ships sail round-trip from Cairo on a 12-day ‘Pharaohs & Pyramids’ itinerary that begins with a three-night stay in the country's capital.

The Mekong in Southeast Asia is also on the menu. River cruises in this neck of the woods tend to visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Then it's onto the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (for Angkor Wat).

In 2022, Viking started sailing both the lower and upper sections of the Mississippi River. The line has also announced it will sail on India’s Brahmaputra River from 2027.

Elsewhere, ocean itineraries have an emphasis on Northern Europe and Scandinavia – in homage to Viking’s Norwegian roots – in addition to the British Isles and Ireland, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Canada and New England, Australia and New Zealand, Alaska, South America, Asia, and Africa.

Viking also offers world cruises – which typically visit multiple continents on itineraries lasting anywhere between three and five months – on its ocean ships as well as Grand Voyages. The latter are shorter than world cruises and tend to focus on a specific region – Asia, say, or Scandinavia.

One caveat: If you are dreaming of ditching the routine of everyday life and sailing around the world next year, you’d better be quick. Viking’s world cruises and Grand Voyages invariably sell like hot cakes as Wendy Atkin-Smith, managing director of Viking UK, can attest: “World cruises are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and [...] they continue to be one of our most sought-after offerings.”

What does the Viking’s fleet look like?

Here’s everything you need to know about the Viking fleet, from its river longships to its expedition vessels.

River ships

The lion’s share of Viking’s river fleet is made up of 190-passenger Longships. Almost identical in design, they feature floor-to-ceiling windows, a walking track, sun decks with a herb garden, an expansive lounge area and ‘Explorer Suites’ replete with a wraparound veranda.

The only noticeable difference is on the Douro in Portugal, where Viking Gyda, Viking Helgrim, Viking Hemming, Viking Osfrid and Viking Torgil each accommodate 106 passengers as opposed to 190.

Elsewhere in Egypt, Viking now has 12 luxury ships sailing the Nile. The 82-passenger Viking Amun launched in May 2025 and is an identical sister ship to Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, Viking Sobek and Viking Hathor, so expect the same distinctive square bow and indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. The smallest ship in the line’s Nile fleet is Viking Ra, which carries 52 passengers.

Meanwhile, on the Mississippi, you’ll find the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi with its infinity plunge pool, private verandas and the River Café and terrace for al fresco dining.

And there’s more on the way: six new river ships will be delivered in 2026, and a further 12 river vessels are on order for 2028 and 2029.

Ocean ships

Each of the line’s 14 near-identical, adults-only ocean ships carries 930 passengers. Expect light-filled public spaces featuring Swedish granite, birch and juniper furniture, pelt-draped sofas, flame-effect fire pits and spacious cabins with private verandas.

There’s also an infinity pool on the aft and a superb spa whose saunas, steam rooms, hydro pool and ice grotto are free to use. Other highlights include a nightclub and the Wintergarden – a gorgeous sun-lit space with a retractable roof.

Expedition ships

Viking Polaris (named after the North Star) and Viking Octantis (named after the South Star) sail with 36 experts (research scientists, submarine pilots, mountain and kayak guides) to, as their name suggests, the Arctic and Antarctica.

Each vessel comes equipped with a fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks, a submarine and two 12-seater Special Operations Boats for exploring these vast and remote destinations.

Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis have been designed to ensure you can experience the most off-the-beaten-path parts of the world in comfort and style.

All cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows that open halfway, luxurious bathrooms with underfloor heating, Freyja toiletries and a heated hanging space for drying waterproof jackets, trousers and boots overnight.

The ships also have a spa, several elegant yet relaxed restaurants and a well-stocked library.

Do Viking have a loyalty programme?

After your first sailing, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the Viking Explorer Society. Perks include early access to new itineraries, invitations to special events happening in your city (the line has esteemed partnerships with the Royal Academy of Art in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Munch Museum in Oslo, among others), and savings on future cruises.

Is Viking family friendly?

In a word, no. Viking ships are strictly for grown-ups who want to explore and unwind in equal measure – without any pitter-patter of tiny feet. No guest under the age of 18 is allowed on board.

Is Viking catering to guests with disabilities?

The line welcomes disabled guests but stresses that they “must be able to independently move around the ship in case of an emergency or rough seas, deal with the lack of immediate access to medical services in certain parts of the world and acknowledge that access to some areas of the ship and ports of call may be limited or impossible. [...]

“We reserve the right to determine whether a guest is fit to travel and to deny boarding if a guest represents a risk to themselves or to the safety and well-being of those on board the ship.”

Our advice? Contact the line (020 8780 7900 for UK residents) before booking to discuss your needs.

Is Viking good value for money

While prices for the line’s sailings aren’t cheap – Viking’s 12-night Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes cruise starts from £6,140 per person – the line’s legion of loyal, repeat passengers will tell you that a Viking cruise represents great value.

That’s because the fares include just about everything: flights, transfers, tips, meals, one excursion in every port and even gratuities.

And you can also find more affordable sailings. At the time of writing, you can book an eight-day Rhine or Danube cruise with Viking from just under £1,700 per person. Ocean sailings start at around £2,200 per person.