About Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises offers a destination-focused experience for curious travelers, exploring the world on a fleet of identical, award-winning small ships like the Viking Saturn. Emphasizing cultural immersion, their adult-only voyages departing from cities like Barcelona feature serene Scandinavian design and an absence of casinos or formal nights. This unique "thinking person's cruise" is further defined by its inclusive value, providing a complimentary shore excursion in every port of call.
📚 History
Already a dominant force in river cruising, Viking announced its expansion into ocean voyages in 2013 under founder Torstein Hagen. The new venture, Viking Ocean Cruises, aimed to replicate its successful river brand formula by focusing on destination-intensive itineraries with smaller, elegant ships. The line's first vessel, Viking Star, officially launched in 2015, introducing an adults-only, all-veranda stateroom concept to the premium market.
⭐ What Viking Ocean Cruises is Known For
Viking Ocean Cruises is best known for its destination-focused and culturally enriching voyages designed exclusively for adults over 18. This "Thinking Person's Cruise" philosophy creates a serene, sophisticated atmosphere by eliminating casinos, children, and umbrella drinks. Instead, the focus is on immersion in destinations across eu and the cb, with itineraries often featuring longer stays in port and departing from cultural hubs like Rome, Athens, and Barcelona.
👥 Who Cruises with Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises attracts an older, affluent, and well-educated demographic, typically aged 55 and over. These passengers are often retired professionals from North America, the UK, and Australia with a strong interest in history, culture, and art. They are experienced travelers who appreciate a sophisticated and quiet onboard atmosphere free of children and constant upselling.
🛳️ Famous Viking Ocean Cruises Ships
Viking Star
As the inaugural vessel for Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking Star launched in 2015 and set the standard for the entire fleet of identical sister ships. It established the line's signature Scandinavian design and all-veranda staterooms, fundamentally defining the brand's ocean product.
Viking Sky
The Viking Sky gained significant international fame following a dramatic 2019 event when it lost engine power in a storm off the coast of Norway. The widely-publicized, successful rescue of its passengers and crew made its name recognizable even outside of cruising circles.
Viking Orion
Viking Orion is notable for being the first ship in the fleet to feature a high-tech planetarium called "The Explorers' Dome." This unique onboard venue, complete with a resident astronomer, offers guests virtual journeys through the universe and enhances its exploration-focused itineraries.
Viking Neptune
Marking a key milestone in maritime innovation, the Viking Neptune was the company's first ship to be equipped with a small hydrogen fuel system. This forward-looking feature makes it famous as a testbed for more sustainable power technology in the cruise industry.
💰 Best Viking Ocean Cruise Deals
⏰ Last Minute Viking Ocean Cruise Deals
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Viking Ocean Cruises
❓ 1. What's included in the cruise fare with Viking Ocean Cruises?
Viking Ocean Cruises fares typically include your stateroom, all onboard meals in various dining venues including alternative restaurants, select beverages like beer and wine with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, and one complimentary shore excursion in most ports. Port taxes and fees are also usually part of the fare.
❓ 2. What dining options are available on Viking Ocean Cruises ships?
Viking offers several dining options, all included in the fare. These include the main Restaurant, the World Café (buffet), Mamsen's (Norwegian deli), Manfredi's Italian Restaurant, The Chef's Table (themed tasting menus), and 24-hour room service.
❓ 3. What entertainment and activities are offered onboard Viking Ocean Cruises?
Onboard entertainment focuses on enrichment and cultural experiences. This includes lectures by historians and experts, cooking demonstrations, destination-themed performances by local artists, classical music, and curated libraries, rather than large-scale production shows or casinos.
❓ 4. What is Viking Ocean Cruises's cancellation policy?
Viking Ocean Cruises' cancellation policy involves penalties that increase as the sailing date approaches, with specific timelines for partial or full forfeiture of the cruise fare. Passengers should always refer to their booking confirmation or Viking's official website for the most current and detailed terms applicable to their cruise.
❓ 5. Are gratuities included or automatic with Viking Ocean Cruises?
Gratuities for onboard staff, such as stateroom stewards, dining staff, and bar staff, are included in the cruise fare on Viking Ocean Cruises. Therefore, no additional tipping is required or expected for these services.
❓ 6. What are the age requirements for cruising with Viking Ocean Cruises?
Viking Ocean Cruises is designed for mature travelers and has a strict policy that all guests must be 18 years of age or older to sail. They do not have facilities or programs for children or infants.
❓ 7. Does Viking Ocean Cruises accommodate special dietary needs?
Yes, Viking Ocean Cruises accommodates a wide range of special dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, low-sodium, and diabetic diets. Guests should notify Viking of their specific dietary requirements at the time of booking or well in advance of their sailing to ensure proper arrangements.
❓ 8. What documents do I need to cruise with Viking Ocean Cruises?
For international cruises with Viking, a valid passport is required, generally with at least six months validity beyond your planned return date. Depending on the itinerary and your nationality, visas for specific countries may also be necessary, and it is the guest's responsibility to obtain them.
🛳️ Ships in the Viking Ocean Cruises Fleet
Viking Ocean Cruises operates a lineup of eighteen ships, encompassing two distinct categories. The most seasoned vessel has been sailing for 11 years, and the most recent addition was introduced in 2029.
Ocean Class
- Passengers:
- 928
- Built:
- 2019
- Refurbished:
- 2023
- Passengers:
- 928
- Built:
- 2016
- Passengers:
- 928
- Built:
- 2017
- Passengers:
- 930
- Built:
- 2015
- Passengers:
- 928
- Built:
- 2017
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2028
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2026
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2028
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2026
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2029
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2024
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2025
Other Class
- Passengers:
- 928
- Built:
- 2019
- Refurbished:
- 2023
- Passengers:
- 928
- Built:
- 2016
- Passengers:
- 928
- Built:
- 2017
- Passengers:
- 930
- Built:
- 2015
- Passengers:
- 928
- Built:
- 2017
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2028
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2026
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2028
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2026
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2029
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2024
- Passengers:
- 998
- Built:
- 2025
⚖️ Compare Viking Ocean with Other Cruise Lines
📊 Monthly Viking Ocean Cruises Pricing
Overall Viking Ocean Cruises is fairly expensive compared to other lines. Viking Ocean Cruises sailings during the peak months of spring and summer are much more expensive than the the low season of winter. Look at the illustration below for the monthly average cost per day.
