Viking Ocean Cruises (2019 Update)
The Viking Difference: River Cruise Style Inclusions
Founded in 1997 by industry veteran Torstein Hagen, Viking River Cruises is the parent company of oceangoing offshoot Viking Ocean Cruises, and from the outset, Hagen’s mission was a simple one: to bring river cruise style amenities and inclusions to oceangoing cruise ships.
To that end, Viking offers a surprising amount of bang-for-your-buck on its ocean voyages:
- Complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
- One complimentary excursion in nearly every port of call.
- Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the Nordic Spa.
- Complimentary dinner reservations in all venues.
- Complimentary stem-to-stern WiFi internet access.
Viking Star is flagged in Norway and registered in Bergen. Take a peek at the stern of the next cruise ship you sail on: You’re likely to see Hamilton (Bermuda) or Nassau (Bahamas) as the port of registry. These are called “flags of convenience,” and typically translate into lower fees and more relaxed regulations. But because she’s registered in Bergen, Viking Star can proudly carry her Norwegian heritage with her to the farthest corners of the world. That, too, is significant.
When Viking Star launched in 2015 Hagen stated: “We believe the arrival of Viking Star signals a new era in destination-focused cruising, and I could not be more proud that she will call my favorite city in the world ‘home.’ This is a ship that was built for exploration and designed with our Scandinavian heritage in mind, and our guests will experience it from the moment they step onboard.”
Viking Oceans Ships
By 2021, Viking Oceans will have a fleet of seven 930-guest passenger ships that are more alike than not. However, considering the success Viking has had with its ocean ships, this is a good thing.
The Viking Oceans fleet:
- Viking Star. Launched in 2015.
- Viking Sea. Launched in 2016.
- Viking Sky. Launched in 2017.
- Viking Sun. Launched in 2017.
- Viking Orion: Launched in 2018.
- Viking Jupiter: Launched in 2019.
- Viking Venus: Setting sail in 2021.
Since all of the ships feature similar specs, designs, and layouts, we have written a comprehensive review of Viking Star, but you can expect similar accommodations on all of Viking’s sister ships.
Read our full Voyage Report from our journey between Barcelona and Lisbon.
Viking Oceans Destinations
Viking’s ocean cruise itineraries span much of the globe. While some cruise lines dedicate certain ships to sail specific regions of the globe, Viking’s ships tend to float around the world – pun intended.
For example, Viking Star has many itineraries in Europe, but also features an itinerary roundtrip from San Juan. Viking Star also cruises Canada.
Viking Sea also cruises Europe and North America – featuring a crossing from Bergen to Montreal, one from San Juan to Venice, and lastly from San Juan to Barcelona. Viking Sky also features a couple of crossings. She sails from Miami to Rome, Miami to Lisbon, Miami to Barcelona, and Miami to Venice.
Viking Orion travels the furthest of all Viking’s ships, including a 93-day itinerary from Auckland to Vancouver. Viking Orion can be found sailing throughout Asia and Australia, but also in Alaska and Canada.
Viking’s newest ship, Viking Jupiter, sails Europe and South America, including a crossing from Barcelona to Buenos Aires.
In short, no matter where you’d like to travel, Viking probably has you covered. If you’re looking for an expedition cruise – well, that may be on the horizon soon.
See Scandinavia Cruises: Viking Wants To Be Your Best Choice
These People Will Love Viking Ocean Cruises
- Guests who appreciate value and inclusive features. Viking doesn’t ‘nickel-and-dime’ guests.
- Cruisers who love the idea of being at sea. Viking’s oceangoing vessels are filled with wide-open decks and plenty of windows to let in ocean vistas.
- Travelers who appreciate history and culture. Viking’s itineraries are a compelling mix of popular ports of call and off-the-beaten-path locales.
These People May Not
- If you need constant activities and a barrage of loud music and flashing lights, this isn’t the cruise for you.
- Families with kids: there are better options out there that cater to multi-generational families. The Viking Oceans experience is a decidedly adult one – as Viking doesn’t allow children under the age of 18 aboard.
- Casino lovers: Viking’s ships don’t have one.
Also see The Second Coming Of Torstein Hagen Full Circle In Bergen.
Viking Oceans Cruise Reviews
To read a review of a particular ship, click the link under "Read the Review." If applicable, our Live Voyage Reports offer a day-by-day overview of an actual cruise onboard. In some cases, there may be more than one report, to be sure to see if your favorite destination is represented.| Ship Review | Live Voyage Report |
|---|---|
| Viking Star Review | - Christening Voyage: London to Bergen - Christening Ceremonies in Bergen - Barcelona to Lisbon |
| Viking Sea Review | Christening Viking Sea in London |
3 Comments
Thanks so much for your very informative site. I’ve sailed on a Viking River Cruise (Paris to Normandy) and we’re booked on the Star for Feb 2016 (Rome to Barcelona.) However, I was disappointed to find recently that motorized scooters are not allowed. I have a small one that can be assembled and disassembled in about 5 minutes. In January we cruised on the RCCL Quantum, and our regular, non-handicapped cabin accommodated it with no problem…and that was much smaller than a Viking Star regular cabin. I realize that the Star is much smaller than RCCL ships. However, I checked other lines and Azmara, for instance, has a ship smaller than the Star and they allow motorized scooters. I can walk short distances but it is difficult. Collapsible wheelchairs are allowed, but pushing me around will be hard on my wife. I realize it is more difficult getting around on scooters in certain international venues, but any savvy, mobility-challenged traveler can get around quite well. I just feel that a cruise line such as Viking, that markets largely to seniors should be more sensitive to their needs.
I hope this resolves in a good way for you Bob. Please let us know upon your return. Thanks for letting us know about the scooter issue.
I did the Alaska cruise with Viking Orion and along with many others, got very sick with the flu. I was asked to leave the ship in Seward, had to pay for my hotel and my own transfer to Anchorage and then ended up with change fees and upcharges on airfare previously bought through Viking. Originally, customer service on board said they would take care of everything but all they did was walk me to the exit of the ship and say good bye. The medical office on board said that they did not stock tamiflu, not sure why as this would have helped. A couple of recommendations: get medical insurance if you cruise as you likely will get sick; bring your own tamiflu; don’t do a cruise longer than 7 days and look at the medical records of the carrier you are picking. I think that is available through the CDC.