The cruise boom continues. Viking has announced that its 2026 ocean voyages are now open for booking. The line says that with many 2024 dates already sold out and 2025 departures selling quickly, it made the decision to open 2026 departures across its ocean fleet.
Viking also announced voyages for its newest ship, the Viking Vesta, which is scheduled to join the fleet in July 2025. The 998-guest ship will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia.
“We have always done things a bit differently. At Viking, we are contrarians. We design travel experiences for thinking people, with no children and no casinos,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking.
“We are pleased that our approach has resonated with so many—and with the addition of the Viking Vesta to our ocean fleet, we look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to the Viking way of exploration.”
PHOTO: Viking Cruises founder and chairman Torstein Hagen in front of a Viking Longship under construction. (photo courtesy of Viking Cruises)
With more than 80 ocean itineraries offered, examples of Viking’s most popular voyages include:
Viking Homelands (15 days; Stockholm—Bergen) – Sail historic waters and discover more of Scandinavia with overnights in Stockholm, Oslo and scenic Bergen as well as visits to Ålborg and Gdańsk, and the grand cities of Berlin and Copenhagen.
Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 days; Barcelona—Rome) – France’s famed southern coast and Italy’s Renaissance treasures take center stage on this eight-day Mediterranean sojourn.
Empires of the Mediterranean (10 days; Venice—Athens) – Clients can sail the Adriatic and Aegean, taking in all the riches of this fabled region. On an exploration bookended by iconic Venice and Athens, they’ll discover the ancient ruins of Olympia and the Acropolis, explore the medieval warrens of Zadar and Dubrovnik, and admire the famed whitewashed villages of Santorini.
British Isles Explorer (15 days; Bergen—London) – With overnight stays in Bergen, Norway, and Greenwich, England, this voyage also helps guests discover the legendary Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland and its capital, Edinburgh. They’ll also visit the Shetland and Orkney Islands, and contrast modern Belfast with traditional Dublin.
West Indies Explorer (11 days; San Juan roundtrip) – The voyage begins deep in the heart of this tropical paradise and avoids the long sea days associated with most Caribbean cruises—allowing stops at more ports. Your clients can immerse themselves in the British, French and Dutch cultures of the Lesser Antilles.
The cozy surroundings of a Viking ocean ship. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)
Additionally, Viking has announced six new immersive Pre and Post Extensions beginning in 2024 and 2025. Pre and Post extensions are increasingly popular; over 45% of all Viking guests choose to add one to their voyage. The new, fully guided, three-night extensions are offered in the iconic cities of Barcelona, Istanbul, London, Rome, Stockholm and Venice and feature ‘Privileged Access’ to museums, local cuisine for lunches and dinners, market visits and cooking classes.
There are still a few days left for your clients to take advantage of the Discover More Sale, with up to free international airfare, special fares and a $25 deposit -- with additional savings for both new and returning guests -- on all-inclusive river, ocean and expedition voyages. Booking deadline is January 31.
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