Discover what makes us the world’s leading small ship cruise line.

Viking Explorer Society
Being a member of the Viking Cruises family allows you to enjoy rich travel experiences and the rewarding benefits of the Viking Explorer Society. Once you travel with Viking, you are automatically enrolled in the Viking Explorer Society, meaning you are part of a community of sophisticated travellers: people who like to expand their world view through travel. Travellers like you.

Photo:  Seine Class Longships Paris, France

Explorer Society Benefits

TRAVEL CREDIT ON YOUR NEXT TRIP
Viking would like to encourage you to join us again by offering credit on your upcoming travel with Viking Cruises. Whether you choose the rivers or oceans for your next journey, you will receive travel credits according to the amount of time that has elapsed since your last Viking voyage. If you reserve within one year, you receive $200 per passenger in travel credit; if you reserve within two years, you receive $100.*

*Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits may not be combinable with some promotions. Please check offer details.

ONBOARD RECOGNITION
You will not want to miss the exclusive Viking Explorer Society members-only cocktail party during your next journey. Mingle with fellow guests, get to know the ship’s staff and enjoy a complimentary cocktail.

Photo: Viking ocean ship

History
Viking was founded in 1997 with the purchase of four ships in Russia. In 2000, the company purchased Europe’s KD River Cruises in order to grow its fleet, to leverage 40 years of river cruising experience and to acquire rights to prime docking locations in key European cities.

The company expanded into the American market in 2000, establishing US headquarters in Los Angeles, California. Through rapid expansion, the company has grown to be The World’s Leading River Cruise Line, with double-digit growth in recent years. And with the launch of its ocean fleet in 2015, the company has also become the leader in small ship ocean cruising.

With operational headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, Viking provides destination-focused itineraries designed for experienced travellers who have an interest in geography, culture and history. Each journey includes a shore excursion in every port, and an exclusive Viking Culture Curriculum program that provides deep immersion in the destination through performances of music and art, cooking demonstrations, informative port talks and carefully selected guest lecturers.

Viking river vessel along the river with stunning architecture

The company currently operates a fleet of more than 70 vessels, state-of-the-art ships that have received numerous accolades since their launch from industry experts and travellers alike. Viking was voted the #1 River Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler in their 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards, and for the third year in a row, has been named the #1 Ocean Cruise Line* by Travel + Leisure readers in the World’s Best Awards 2018.

River Ships and Itineraries
Sailing Europe’s storied rivers, the award-winning Viking Longships offer a variety of stateroom categories and true (two-room) suites with full-size verandas. Onboard amenities include a restaurant, bar and lounge, library and expansive sun deck. The ships feature al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, an elegant Scandinavian design and “green” features, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines for a remarkably smooth ride.

River cruises range from 8 to 23 days, with itineraries featuring Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle, Elbe, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers; Russia’s Volga, Neva and Svir; Ukraine’s Dnieper; Egypt’s Nile; China’s Yangtze; and Southeast Asia’s Mekong.

Photo: island in blue water

Ocean Ships and Itineraries
In 2015, Viking introduced its first ocean ship with the christening of the 930-guest all-veranda Viking Star. One year later, Viking launched its second ocean ship, Viking Sea, which was joined by sister ships Viking Sky and Viking Sun in 2017 and by Viking Orion in 2018 and Viking Jupiter in 2019. Four more yet-to-be-named ships are scheduled to launch by 2023.

Photo: Ocean vessel in port with fireworks

The company’s award-winning ships are engineered at a size that allows direct access into most ports, so guests have easy and efficient embarkation and disembarkation. Each ship boasts a private veranda in every stateroom, a choice of restaurants offering a variety of fine dining options, the most al fresco dining at sea, an infinity pool, a Nordic-inspired spa, panoramic Explorers’ Lounge and thoughtfully curated book collections throughout the ship, and more—all designed in understated elegance.

Ocean itineraries are designed to maximize the amount of time travellers spend in their destination. These enriching itineraries include base and combination cruises sailing to Scandinavia and Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Alaska, North and South America, and Africa.

Viking Sun spent her maiden season sailing the company’s first-ever world cruise, spanning 141 days and visiting five continents, followed by two more global crossings in 2019: the 128-day 2019 Viking World Cruise and 245-day Viking Ultimate World Cruise. In 2018, Viking Orion travelled to the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Alaska. And in 2019, the newest addition to the fleet, Viking Jupiter, has offered voyages to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Baltic and South America during its maiden season.

*Ship size category: 600–2,199 guests