Viking is a very unusual cruise line for one main reason: they offer river, ocean, and expedition cruises. In fact, they now have more than 80 ships, steadily expanding their fleet since they began in 1997 with just four. By the end of 2027, they are expected to surpass 100 ships, which is impressive considering this is a niche, premium cruise line.
With so many ships, it’s easy to think they’re everywhere, and guess what? You’re absolutely right. Their ocean ships visit all seven continents, their river cruises sail the most popular rivers in Europe, North America, Asia, and Egypt, and their expedition cruises take guests to destinations like Antarctica.
Do you have any questions about Viking Cruises, from ships, destinations, what’s included in your fare, and more? Just click the Request a Quote button and let’s chat! Contacting us is free and, better yet, you won’t pay a dime more to book a cruise through us. In fact, you might even save money since our travel advisors often have access to special deals not available anywhere else.
Viking Cruise Line Ships
Viking cruise ships are divided into three types:
- Viking River Ships
- Viking Ocean Ships
- Viking Expedition Ships
Viking Cruise Line is huge. Like we mentioned in our intro, they’ll have over a hundred ships by the end of the year. Even though they have such a large fleet, most of the vessels are very similar. The ocean ships are nearly identical, with the main exceptions being the two expedition ships that sail to unique destinations like Antarctica. River ships are also quite similar, though there are small variations depending on the destination - longships usually sail in Europe, while smaller vessels operate on the Nile.
Viking River Ships
- Overview: ample space to move around compared to other brands; big suites; carries more passengers when compared to similar ships; good prices for a luxury river cruise; no spas or fitness center.
- Passengers: 168-190 (Europe); 82 (Egypt); 386 (Mississippi); 80 (Asia).
Viking started with river cruises back in 1997 and now has a huge presence in the market, offering premium, luxurious itineraries along some of the world’s most popular rivers. Their longships feature some of the largest suites in the river cruise industry, along with swimming pools, mini-golf, spacious sun decks, and a wide range of staterooms that include either a French balcony or a standard balcony.
Viking ships often carry more passengers than the competition, thanks to a clever bow design that allows for additional cabins. The result? More guests onboard means the overall price of a cruise is usually lower than other luxury lines, sometimes starting at about $2,200 per passenger, which is a great deal.
One small downside? There’s no spa or fitness center onboard, which you’ll usually find on most other river cruise lines.
Viking Ocean Ships
- Overview: all-veranda ships; pretty much identical to each other; spacious and luxurious; not a mega-resort on the sea.
- Passengers: 930
Viking Ocean ships are basically all the same… and that’s great news, since it means you only need to focus on the itinerary and price when planning your next vacation. These ships are considered small by industry standards, carrying just 930 guests. They’re also all-veranda ships, which means there are no inside or oceanview staterooms onboard. Even the smallest stateroom measures 270 square feet, which is quite spacious compared to most cruise lines.
Unlike mega-resort ships, Viking vessels don’t have waterparks, waterslides, or wild entertainment options like you’d find on a Royal Caribbean ship. Instead, they feature multiple swimming pools, plenty of lounges and bars, and excellent specialty restaurants - all included in your base fare. For activities, you’ll find an open sports deck with bowling and a putting green, a fitness center, a spa, a theater with intimate shows, and even a small cinema.
Expedition Ships
- Overview: only two ships; lots of lectures; private submarines onboard for passengers; lounges offering beautiful views.
- Passengers: 378
There are only two expedition ships in the Viking fleet, and they’re designed to take you to some of the most remote and unique destinations in the world. These vessels sail to places like Antarctica, Niagara & the Great Lakes, the Chilean Fjords, and even embark on world cruises that explore every far corner of our planet.
Like the ocean ships, they’re all-veranda vessels, but with an adventurous twist. Guests can head out on kayaks or even dive below the surface in small submarines. Yes, real submarines that passengers can board during expeditions to explore the deep ocean! These ships also bring experts onboard, from geologists to biologists, who host special lectures about the destinations you’re visiting.
Viking Cruise Line Destinations
For a premium cruise line, Viking offers one of the most diverse ranges of itineraries in the industry. They operate ocean, river, and expedition cruises, together covering all seven continents.
River cruises sail the most popular waterways in Europe, the Mississippi in North America, the Nile, and several rivers across Asia, while the ocean and expedition ships journey to every continent - including Antarctica, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Itineraries range from eight-day Mediterranean getaways to epic 138-day around-the-world voyages.
Viking Cruises River Cruise Destinations
- Rhine
- Danube
- Elbe
- Seine
- Rhone
- Garonne
- Douro
- Mississippi
- Nile
- Mekong
- Brahmaputra
Viking Cruises Ocean and Expedition Destinations
- British Isles & Ireland
- Mediterranean
- Scandinavia
- Africa & Middle East
- Alaska
- Canada
- Hawaii
- Mexico
- United States
- Caribbean & Central America
- South America
- Japan
- China
- Australia & New Zealand
- Antarctica (Expedition Cruises)
- The Arctic (Expedition Cruises)
River Cruises Itineraries
- Starting Price per guest: $2,200 (Rhine river cruise)
Viking Cruises operates all over the world, and with so many itineraries, it can be hard to keep track of them all. For river cruises, the 8-day Rhine Getaway is the most affordable, starting at $2,200. There’s also the stunning 12-day Paris to the Swiss Alps cruise, starting at $3,400. Europe is by far their most popular river cruise destination, with around 40 different itineraries each year.
Egypt has essentially a single river itinerary called Pharaohs and Pyramids. This 12-day Nile cruise starts at $6,000 and lets you explore Cairo, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Temple of Horus, Queen Nefertari’s tomb, the pyramids, and much more.
Not long ago, Viking also began offering river cruises in North America, focusing on the Mississippi River. Their 8-day New Orleans & Southern Charms cruise starts at $3,500.
Ocean Cruises Itineraries
- Starting Price per guest: $2,300 (Europe Cruise)
Viking Cruises operates ocean ships across all continents. Europe is by far their most popular destination, but they also have a strong presence in Australia, Alaska, and the Panama Canal. Let’s take a look at some itineraries and prices, but keep in mind that these are subject to change without notice.
The 8-day Barcelona to London cruise is the most affordable ocean cruise, starting at $2,300 per guest. Another popular option is the 8-day Ancient Mediterranean Treasures cruise, which sails from Istanbul to Athens and starts at $2,600. Can’t get enough of Greece? The 11-day Greek Odyssey cruise is a roundtrip from Athens, starting at $4,500, taking you to some of the best Greek islands and letting you explore iconic sites like the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, and the Panathenaic Stadium.
In the Americas, Viking Cruises has a strong presence in Alaska and along the Panama Canal. Their 11-day Alaska & the Inside Passage cruise is a popular choice, starting at $5,000 per guest, while the 11-day Panama Canal Passage from Fort Lauderdale starts at $3,300.
Also, keep in mind that Viking tends to offer several long cruises, or “Grand Journeys,” as they call them. These cruises last at least 27 days and start at $12,000 per guest. They also offer World Cruises, which, as the name suggests, are extensive voyages visiting multiple countries across the globe. These trips last at least 121 days and start at $54,000.
Expedition Cruises Itineraries
- Starting Price per guest: $6,000
Expedition cruises combine the luxury of a Viking voyage with a strong sense of adventure, taking guests to iconic destinations like the Amazon River, the Arctic, Antarctica, the Chilean Fjords, and Greenland.
These cruises are perfect for travelers looking to experience something truly unique that is rarely offered by other cruise lines. As a bonus, expedition ships feature special onboard lectures and even mini-submarines, allowing guests to safely explore the deep sea. Because of their uniqueness and niche appeal, these cruises tend to be more expensive than other types of Viking itineraries.
The Great Lakes Explorer is a popular choice. This 8-day cruise starts at $7,300 and takes you to Fathom Five National Marine Park, Manitoulin Island, St. Mary’s River, and other stunning destinations.
Antarctic cruises typically depart from Buenos Aires. The 13-day Antarctica Explorer Cruise starts at $12,900 and takes you to Tierra del Fuego National Park, the Drake Passage, Cape Horn, and, of course, the stunning Antarctic, where you can see glaciers, penguins, and whales.
Arctic cruises are similarly priced, even though there are fewer itineraries. The Canada & Greenland cruise is a new option, starting at $12,900. Departing from Toronto, it takes you to destinations like La Mauricie National Park, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Ivittuut, and Paamiut. Compared to Antarctic cruises, it’s less about glaciers and whales and more about exploring villages, cities and different cultures.
Why Book Viking Cruise Line with us?
At Famvia, we specialize in luxury cruises and proudly partner with some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines, including Seabourn, Explora Journeys, Azamara, Oceania, and, of course, Viking Cruise Line.
Viking Cruise Line is an excellent choice for a premium cruise, but with so many ships and itineraries, planning your next trip can feel overwhelming. And that’s before even choosing the right stateroom or figuring out what’s included in your fare! No worries, that’s where your friends at Famvia come in.
Our team has in-depth knowledge of Viking’s ships, destinations, staterooms, and onboard experiences, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Just click the Request a Quote button to connect with us. Our personalized planning services are completely complimentary, and you’ll never pay extra for booking with a trusted travel advisor like us. Even better, we often have access to exclusive offers and special promotions to make your next journey even more memorable.
