Viking Cruises offers ocean and world cruises with 930 elegant ships, allowing guests to explore fascinating ports that larger ships cannot reach. The Viking Grand European Tour, a 15-day Viking Ocean Cruise, features 12 ports of call and offers excursions. Viking ships are significantly smaller than major cruise lines like Viking Polaris, Viking Octanis, and Viking Sun. Discover 200 destinations with Viking Cruises®, featuring new, elegant small ships with only 930 guests.
The 65-day Viking Octantis itinerary, departing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, visited 29 ports across nine countries and three continents. The 65-day Viking Octantis itinerary, from March 2 through May 5, 2023, visited 29 ports, including Amsterdam, Netherlands Anchorage, Alaska, Athens (Port of Piraeus), Greece, Auckland, New Zealand, Barcelona, Spain, Bergen, Norway.
Visa requirements may vary and can change at any time, so guests should seek advice from their respective embassy. Viking (formerly Viking Cruises) provides river, ocean, and expedition cruises with its operating headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. The new Mississippi River itineraries comprise seven U.S. states, including Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Darrow, New Orleans, and St. Louis), and offer culturally immersive scenic cruises into Europe, Asia, Egypt, the Upper and Lower Mississippi, and beyond.
📹 Considering a Viking River Cruise? Watch this first! Our COMPLETE GUIDE to Viking Longships!
Vikingcruises #rivercruise Welcome to our COMPLETE GUIDE to Viking Cruises river Longships. The Viking Longship fleet is the …
What ports does Viking sail from?
Here are some of the best Viking Ocean Cruise Departure Ports.Bergen. … Fuerte Amador. … Montreal. … Tilbury. … Viking Ocean Cruises from Greenwich. … Viking Ocean Cruises from Stockholm. … Viking Ocean Cruises from Seward. … Viking Ocean Cruises from Tokyo.
If you’re thinking about going on a Viking Cruise, you might wonder where these magnificent voyages start. Viking Cruises depart from various ports around the world. These departure ports are like the jumping-off points for your exciting adventure on the ocean. From these ports, you’ll board the luxurious Viking ships and set sail for amazing destinations.
So, where exactly do Viking Ocean Cruises leave from? The departure ports can be found in many different countries, offering travelers a wide range of choices. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring the wild coasts of Scandinavia or basking on the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean, there’s likely a Viking departure port nearby to begin your journey. These ports are strategically located to provide convenient access to some of the most captivating destinations on the planet.
Cruise on the Viking Ocean for an in-depth look at Europe. Taking their passengers on a cultural journey throughEurope is important to Viking Oceans. Istanbul, Barcelona, and Stockholm are among the cities where their first set of itineraries will depart. Explore our site and contact our expert cruise consultants if you want to learn more about this cruise line. Join them on a sailing expedition and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Where do they sail from in Vikings?
Scandinavia The ‘Vikings’ were seafaring raiders and traders from Scandinavia. The period known as the Viking Age lasted from AD 700 until 1100. ‘Viking’ was the name given to the seafarers from Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden. During the Viking age many Vikings travelled to other countries, such as Britain and Ireland.
The ‘Vikings’ were seafaring raiders and traders from Scandinavia. The period known as the Viking Age lasted from AD 700 until 1100.
‘Viking’ was the name given to the seafarers from Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden. During the Viking age many Vikings travelled to other countries, such as Britain and Ireland. They either settled in these new lands as farmers and craftsmen, or went to fight and look for treasure.
How do we know about the Vikings?. Archaeologists have studied the remains of Viking farms, villages and towns and have put together a picture of how they might have lived. Graves have given us lots of information about the Viking way of life, because some important Vikings were buried with their possessions. Several buried or sunken ships have been found, and these have helped us to understand their seafaring technology.
Where does the Viking River Cruise go?
River Cruise Destinations Journey into the heart of Europe, Asia, Egypt, the Upper and Lower Mississippi, and beyond on a culturally immersive scenic cruise. Whether you yearn to see the castle-lined Rhine, romantic Danube, historic Seine or vineyard-laced Douro, your river cruise with Viking begins here.
2024-2027 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR FARES:Offer applies to bookings made from August 1-31, 2024. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all River itineraries. Special fares plus up to FREE International airfare valid on select departures of Grand European Tour, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland, European Sojourn and Capitals of Eastern Europe, Paris to the Swiss Alps, Cities of Light, London DDAY & Paris, Rhine & Main Explorer. Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. 2024: Pay in full by August 31, 2024 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. 2025: Pay in full by September 30, 2024. 2026: Pay in full by March 31, 2025. 2027: Pay in full by November 30, 2025. Offers expires August 31, 2024.
$25 DEPOSIT:$25 DEPOSIT: For itineraries 35 days or less, a $25 deposit applies to January 2025 & onward departures; for itineraries greater than 35 days, a $25 deposit applies to March 2025 & onward departures; World Cruise products excluded; call for details.
AIR UPGRADE:Upgrade to Premium Economy air from $799 per person or Business Class air from $3,499 per person based on select gateways and dates. Additional airline-imposed baggage charges may apply; for more information visitAirline Luggage Restrictions. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received. For more information about customized air services and US gateways, visit the Viking Air Plus page.
Which river cruise in Europe is the best?
Forbes VettedBest European River Cruise Overall: Viking Cruises, Viking Egdir.Best High-End European River Cruise: Uniworld, S.S. La Venezia.Best European River Cruise For Families: A-Rosa, A-Rosa Sena.Best European River Cruise For Couples: Scenic, Scenic Azure.
Which Viking ship was in trouble?
The Viking Sky was carrying 1,374 passengers when it lost power and became stranded in a notoriously rough stretch of water in the Norwegian Sea. The ship came close to crashing into Norway’s rocky coast, and hundreds of people were evacuated over the course of several hours.
The blackout meant the ship could not move forward or be steered, according to the report from the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority. The accident was caused by insufficient lubricating oil in all of the operating diesel generators’ lubricating oil sump tanks, the agency said, which combined with rough waters meant the ship could not operate.
The investigation found that one of the vessel’s four diesel generators was “unavailable” when it left port, the agency said, meaning that the cruise ship was not in compliance with safety standards and should have never sailed. The design of the sump tank on the working generators was also “non-compliant with applicable regulations,” the investigation found.
What is the average age of people on Viking River Cruises?
- Transportation from and to the airport is arranged. If you book your airfare through Viking (we got free airfare as part of one of their regular promotions), then Viking will send you a baggage tag and a sticker for your shirt before you leave, and someone will greet you at the airport upon arrival, take you to the boat and put your luggage in your room. This was especially welcome during our unexpectedly arduous trip overseas. The same works in reverse: When it was time to leave, Viking took us by bus to the airport, helped us with our luggage and showed us to check-in.
- You can get help during your flights. If you book your airfare through Viking and you run into travel snags, then you can call a number that they supply exclusively for flight issues and someone will guide you to solutions, as well as notify the boat.
- Drinking water is abundant and free. They’ll give you a bottle of water when they pick you up from the airport. There’s always a large glass bottle in your room. When you depart for an included excursion, they’ll provide a bottle of water. I drink a lot of water all day long. In some places where I’ve traveled, tap water is unsafe, and drinking water is scarce. In others, it’s a matter of buying, carrying and keeping enough on hand to feel hydrated. On this cruise, someone made sure that I always had drinking water. I’d say it’s the little things, but this was huge for me.
- The boat is luxurious. It’s not big, but it’s modern, bright, very clean and sleek, reflecting the Scandanavian design aesthetic of its country of origin. There are floor-to-ceiling windows nearly everywhere in the shared spaces, making it feel open and airy and allowing for great views of the passing scenery.
- The service is exceptional. Thanks to my work as a food and wine writer, I’ve enjoyed some amazing service, and the people working on our Viking River Cruise were on par. They lead with enthusiastic welcomes, gracious offers of help and hard work.
- The food is fantastic. There’s a huge selection of menu items at every meal, including dishes local to the region that you’re visiting each night at dinner. There were two coffee stations on our boat with cappuccino machines, hot tea and cookies available all day. The lounge had a full bar and, if you have the Silver Spirits package, premium cocktails, beer and wine are free. (Otherwise, a nice selection of wine and beer is free at lunch and dinner.) Breakfast and lunch include both a self-service buffet area, and sit-down, full-service options. Dinner is full service. SIDENOTE: In honor of Viking’s Norwegian heritage, Viking gives guests a glass of Aquavit, a Scandinavian-distilled beverage. Tradition dictates that the Linie Aquavit they serve must be carried in oak casks on ships that cross the equator twice on a four-month voyage spanning 35 countries. It’s believed that the moving seas and temperature changes allow more flavor to be extracted from the casks. How specific and charming is that?
- The included excursions are phenomenal. I pride myself on comprehensively canvassing a city when I visit. I do a ton of research beforehand to identify places to see and to get a sense of the vibe and history. I map out routes and plan how to get around, whether by foot, public transportation or even a Hop-On Hop-Off bus. The basic tours included in our Viking River Cruise each morning eliminated all of that legwork — I could simply show up, look and learn.
- There are spaces to tuck away. The boat includes a tiny library space and workspace at one end of the upper level where you can read, write or go online if you need a bit of a break from all the people-ing. (See the people-ing and wifi cons below.)
- There is community. If you’re traveling solo and can swing the single supplement, this is a brilliant way to feel a part of a group. People grow familiar very quickly, and they’re quite friendly, adept at making interesting conversation. Many are avid travelers with good stories. The average age of the population on a Viking River Cruise is probably 70. And it’s a largely lovely group of well-traveled people who know how to make small talk and do a good job of it. If you’re traveling solo, you’ll have ample opportunities to make friends and share conversation.
- It can be very affordable. If you have a traveling companion, and you take advantage of one of the specials — such as free airfare — you will likely beat the cost of a self-organized trip by a mile.
- The Cons of a Viking River Cruise. There’s no space to work out. Yes, I know. It’s vacation. But after sitting on an airplane for hours (or days) and eating and drinking so much, I wished for a small gym. The upper deck of the ship is an open-air seating area with a walking track. But depending on the time of year in which you cruise, it could be a really brisk walk, as in blustery.
- I felt like a conspicuous tourist. During our excursions, we were shuttled to our walking tours in giant motorcoaches. We wore listening devices on bright red lanyards. We followed our guide, who was bearing a sign, in a slow-moving cluster. This all eliminates the opportunity to observe a place unnoticed. It makes you a more obvious target to vendors or pickpockets who follow travelers like bees on honey. And we were sometimes noticeably annoying to local residents.
- Your time is not entirely your own. There’s not always a chance to linger at something you want to explore further when you’re on an excursion, or to venture further in a place. It’s the tradeoff for being free of planning responsibilities.
- An introvert could be overwhelmed. If you dine in the restaurant, you’ll share a table with a group. When you go to the mandatory safety presentation, or the cultural presentations and port talks, or the captain’s welcome, you’ll need to continue chatting with other people. Sometimes it’s a lot of people-ing. And on a small boat, you’re not anonymous for long. The good news: The people on my cruise knew very well how to dip into a conversation and dip right back out.
- For the solo traveler, it’s expensive. The solo supplement turns an affordable trip into an extravagance.
- For a pair, the cheapest rooms are tight. It’s entirely manageable to share one of the lower-deck rooms. They’re well-designed, making the most of the teeny, tiny space. Your two twin beds are pushed together or separated, and there is space under the beds for luggage. But there isn’t enough room for two people to pass each other at the foot of the beds
- it’s a bit of a dance to navigate. And any time that you have a suitcase out, it consumes all of the floor space.
- The internet is unreliable. I was able to work extra before and after my trip and avoid long days or late nights on the laptop during my cruise. But I did need to send some emails and make some social posts, and I was dead in the water, so to speak, for several days. Our service was extra bad — they even brought in a tech team in Vienna, but the service failed again the next day.
- You lose the sense of place that comes with staying in a destination. On a Viking River Cruise, you’re somewhat esconsed in typical American culture, far more than if you were staying in a local hotel for a few days.
The Boat. Viking has a fleet of river and ocean cruise ships. Ours was the Viking Jarl, built in 2013. It holds as many as 190 guests. There are three levels on the ship, plus an open-air deck on top. The lower level includes guest rooms and crew areas. The middle level includes guest rooms, guest services and the restaurant, plus a dining terrace. The third level includes guest rooms, a library and other seating, and the lounge. The top level is an open-air deck with a walking track, herb garden, solar panels, shuffleboard and a golf putting area.
How many ships does Viking cruise have?
As of June 2023, Viking has nine ships sailing the world’s oceans, each with a capacity for 930 passengers. That gives Viking 8,370 berths in the upscale ocean cruise market — more than competitors Oceania Cruises and Azamara combined.
The series is far from finished. Six more of the vessels are on order from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for delivery between 2024 and 2028, and the company also has options with Fincantieri for four more of the ships to debut in 2029 and 2030. Assuming they are all built, Viking’s ocean division will soon be bigger than Oceania, Azamara, Seabourn and Silversea Cruises combined.
The first thing to know about the ships in this series is that they all are pretty much identical. When sailing on any one of them, you will be hard-pressed to tell what is different.
Why are Viking cruises so expensive?
Why are Viking cruises so expensive? They’re a luxury line that is all-inclusive. The bargain lines (basically, the big party ships doing the tropical island/Mexico port-hopping) are cheap because you get your room and the cheap food alternatives and that’s about it.
What were the famous Viking ports?
The largest trading centers during the Viking Age were Ribe (Denmark), Kaupang (Norway), Hedeby (Denmark), and Birka (Sweden) in the Baltic region.
Hedeby was the largest and most important trading center. Located along the southern border of Denmark in the inner part of the Schlei Fjord, Hedeby controlled both the north–south trade routes (between Europe and Scandinavia) and the east–west routes (between the Baltic and the North Seas). At its peak, Hedeby’s population was around 1000 people. Archaeological evidence from Hedeby suggests that the city’s economic importance was of political significance as fortifications were erected in the tenth century to withstand numerous assaults.: 107.
Ribe, located on the West coast of Denmark, was established in the early 8th century as the eastern end of a trading and monetary network that stretched around the North Sea. Many of the trading towns in the Baltic would begin to disappear shortly after the year 1000 as the continent shifted to a bulk economy that minimized the role of these centres. This was also parallel with the rise of royal power in the region.: 128-129.
Scandinavian York (Jórvík) was a major manufacturing centre, particularly in metalwork. Archaeological evidence indicates that it had a busy international trade with thriving workshops, and well-established mints. It had several routes to Norway and Sweden with onward connections to Byzantium and the Muslim world via the Dnieper and Volga rivers. It’s craftspeople sourced their raw materials both near and far. There was gold and silver coming from Europe, copper and lead from the Pennines and tin from Cornwall. Also, there was amber, for the production of jewellery, coming from the Baltic and soapstone to make large cooking pots from Norway or Shetland. Wine was imported from the Rhineland with silk for the production of hats coming from Byzantium.: 71–77.
Are Viking Cruises for the wealthy?
Torstein Hagen founded his cruise line with a few simple principles in mind. Among them: focus on the wealthy and intellectually curious; no nickel-and-diming; and no kids.
Is Viking a luxury cruise line?
From the tastefully appointed, modern, beautifully designed, Scandinavian ships to the luxurious all-inclusive amenities, Viking are recognised as a Luxury Brand within the industry. Formerly known as Viking Cruises, the brand was launched in 1997 by Torstein Hagen in St.
Is Viking considered a luxury cruise?
Whilst designated as an Upper Premium brand, Viking has all the hallmarks of a Luxury Ocean Cruise Line. From the tastefully appointed, modern, beautifully designed, Scandinavian ships to the luxurious all-inclusive amenities, Viking are recognised as a Luxury Brand within the industry.
📹 Is a Viking Ocean Cruise right for you?Comparing Viking to the other cruise lines
In this video I discuss what Viking has to offer compared to the other major cruise lines. The Viking ships are 930 passengers and …
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