Viking

Viking began in 1997 as a river cruise company and has since built a large river fleet and a growing ocean line; its parent, Viking Holdings, has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2024. Its ocean fleet is made up of near-identical ships carrying about 930 guests each, with a new ship arriving roughly every year (Viking Vela in 2024, Viking Vesta in 2025 and Viking Mira in 2026). Viking also runs a large European and Egyptian river fleet, the Viking Mississippi on the Mississippi River, and two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris.

On the ocean ships, the design is calm Scandinavian minimalism: blond wood, natural light, a heated infinity pool off the stern and a Nordic spa with a snow grotto. Every guest is an adult (minimum age 18), and there are no casinos and no kids' clubs. The fare includes Wi-Fi, a shore excursion in most ports, specialty restaurants, and beer and wine with lunch and dinner, so the onboard bill stays low.

Viking suits curious, culture-focused adults, often 50-plus, who want destination-heavy itineraries, enrichment lectures and a quiet ship. It is not built for families, nightlife seekers or travelers who want big-ship attractions. River cruising, with its smaller ships and daily docked port calls, is a separate product with the same style.

The vibe: Quiet, elegant and intellectually curious; think a stylish Nordic hotel where the evening entertainment might be a history lecture.

What Viking does best

Mostly inclusive fares

Wi-Fi, specialty restaurants, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and a shore excursion in most ports are included.

Adults only

All guests must be 18 or older, which keeps the ships calm and social in a grown-up way.

Nordic spa

The LivNordic spa includes a thermal suite with a snow grotto, free to use on ocean ships.

Enrichment focus

Port talks, guest lecturers and destination performances replace the usual cruise-ship entertainment.

River and expedition options

Beyond the ocean ships, Viking runs river cruises in Europe, Egypt and on the Mississippi, plus polar and Great Lakes expedition voyages.

Dining

The Restaurant (main dining), the World Café buffet, Mamsen's Norwegian deli and the pool grill are included, and so are the two specialty restaurants: Manfredi's Italian and The Chef's Table, which serves rotating multi-course tasting menus. Reserve the specialty restaurants as soon as your booking allows; the number of included reservations depends on cabin category. Room service is available around the clock.

Entertainment and activities

Entertainment is low-key: classical music in the Living Room and Explorers' Lounge, a small theater for lectures and performances, destination-focused talks and the Viking Resident Historian. There is no casino and no big-production show, and most evenings end early.

Families and kids

Viking's ocean and river ships do not accept guests under 18, so there are no family facilities.

Dress code

Elegant casual every night, with no formal nights. Jackets and ties are never required, but most guests dress smart in the evening.

Gratuities and drinks

Viking adds a gratuity of $20 per person per day for all cabin types, and a 15% gratuity is added to bar bills. (Published rates as of 2026-10-13; source. Lines change these, so we confirm the current amount in every quote.)

Soda, specialty coffees and teas are included at all hours, and beer and house wine are included with lunch and dinner. The Silver Spirits Beverage Package adds beer, select wines and house Champagne by the glass, and mixed drinks and cocktails under a price cap, all day.

Loyalty program: Viking Explorer Society. Tell us your number when you request a quote so past-guest offers and status perks are applied.

Specialist tips for booking Viking

• Specialty restaurant reservations open well before sailing in My Viking Journey. Book them early, especially on short itineraries.
• The included shore excursion is usually a panoramic or walking tour. For more active or in-depth experiences, budget for optional paid tours.
• Viking's air program lets you add flights and transfers to your booking. It can be competitive on long-haul itineraries and keeps logistics simple if flights change.
• If you are deciding between river and ocean, remember that river ships dock in town centers almost every day, while ocean ships offer more sea days and space.
• Antarctica sailings use the expedition ships Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, which carry Zodiacs and small submarines; ocean ships do not sail there.