
Viking Cruises
Viking Cruises 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.
Under the Viking River Cruises brand, 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 Viking Ocean Cruises 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 travelers who have an interest in geography, culture and history. Each journey includes daily shore excursions, 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.
The company currently operates a fleet of more than 60 vessels, state-of-the-art ships that have received numerous accolades since their launch from industry experts and travelers alike. Viking has once again been named the #1 Ocean Cruise Line* and one of the Best River Cruise Lines by Travel + Leisure readers in the 2017 World’s Best Awards.
MS Antares
| 61 CruisesThe Viking-operated MS Antares is a classic ship, your floating oasis as you immerse yourself in ancient Egypt. Specifically built to navigate the Nile, she is a spacious, state-of-the-art vessel with a refined, understated ambiance. Her spa facilities, Sun Deck, pool and revitalizing amenities provide a serene haven from which to explore this culturally rich destination. Accommodating just 62 guests, MS Antares offers the ultimate in comfort and relaxation.
Viking Aegir
| 32 CruisesIn Norse mythology, Aegir is the giant god of the sea, and he personifies the power of the ocean. The Vikings were skilled sailors; they understood the beauty and the danger of the sea, and they both worshipped and feared Aegir.
Viking Alruna
| 292 CruisesThe daughter of Kjárr of Valland, Alruna (Ölrún in Old Norse) was one of three Valkyries spinning linen on the shore of Wolf Lake, when they were spotted by three brothers who lived nearby. Alruna and Egil, one of the brothers, lived together for seven winters, until Alruna flew off to battle, never to return.
Viking Alsvin
| 103 CruisesAccording to Norse legend, Alsvin is one of the two horses that pulls the sun across the sky in a chariot driven by Sol. The name Alsvin means "very swift." The other horse is called Arvakr, whose name means "early riser."
Viking Amun
| 49 CruisesNamed after the king of the gods in ancient Egypt, the Viking Amun is a state-of-the-art vessel—owned and operated by Viking—specifically built to cruise the Nile.
Viking Annar
| 77 CruisesMeaning “second” or “another” in Norse mythology, Annar is a figure associated with the earth.
Viking Astrild
| 102 CruisesClassical mythology has its cupid. In Nordic culture, it’s Astrild who sets hearts afire. The delicate lilt of her name first caressed the ears of literature lovers in the 17th century, when Swedish poet Georg Stiernhielm introduced her to northern Europe in his writing. She remains a fabled figure who spreads love, passion and affection. To get a sense of the beauty and love which Astrild inspires, one need only look to the estrildid finch. It’s fitting that this tiny bird from which Stiernhielm got Astrild’s name remains devoted to the same partner for life.
Viking Aton
| 108 CruisesOwned and operated by Viking, Viking Aton is a brand new sister ship to Viking Osiris, the most upscale ship in Egypt.
Viking Dagur
| 80 CruisesDagur, meaning “day” in Old Norse, is personified as a god in Norse mythology.
Viking Delling
| 86 CruisesHis name means “dayspring” or “shining one,” and in Norse mythology, the god Delling is the father of the day.
Viking Egdir
| 29 CruisesEgdir is identified in Norse mythology as the watchman of Jötunheimar, home of the Jötnar (or giants) and one of the nine realms in Norse cosmology.
Viking Einar
| 261 CruisesA strong warrior, Einar wrested control of the Orkney and Shetland Islands from Danish warlords in the late 9th century after his brother Hallad was unable to hold his ground there.
Viking Eldir
| 20 CruisesEldir, whose name means “fire-stoker,” is a servant of the sea giant Ægir in Norse mythology.
Viking Embla
| 51 CruisesIn Norse mythology, Embla was the first woman to be created, the mother of the human race.
Viking Fjorgyn
| 103 CruisesNorse mythology’s Mother Earth, Fjorgyn has been associated with the start of the growing season, when Norway’s soils were nurtured for planting seeds.
Viking Gersemi
| 326 CruisesDaughter of Freya, the goddess of love, and the god Od, Gersemi is associated with great riches and beauty.
Viking Gymir
| 28 CruisesGymir is a wealthy Jötunn (a race of giants in Norse mythology) who, by some accounts, is said to be the same mythological figure as Aegir, the giant god of the sea.
Viking Haki
| 114 CruisesHaki - A Norse King In Norse mythology, Haki was a formidable king who commanded a large army of warriors.
Viking Hathor
| 107 CruisesOwned and operated by Viking, Viking Hathor is a brand new sister ship to Viking Osiris and Viking Aton, the most upscale ships in Egypt.
Viking Heimdal
| 119 CruisesTall and handsome and known for his purity of heart and mind, Heimdal is the ever-vigilant guardian of the gods.
Viking Helgrim
| 56 CruisesHelgrim co-led the first recorded mission from Norway to England at the command of Harald I, King of Norway.
Viking Hemming
| 76 CruisesHemming was a Danish king for only two years, but his reign helped shape the future of Franco-Danish relations immeasurably.
Viking Herja
| 115 CruisesIn the Prose Edda, the respected 13th-century chronicle of Old Norse mythology, Herja was a mighty Valkyrie.
Viking Hermod
| 110 CruisesSon of Odin, father of the Norse gods, and Frigg, goddess of motherhood and marriage, Hermod is the swift and nimble messenger of the gods who is famous for his bravery.
Viking Hervor
| 310 CruisesValkyrie Hervor’s dedication to Odin during wartime is illustrated by her well-known story.
Viking Honir
| 47 CruisesKnown for his wisdom and eloquence in Norse mythology, Honir played a crucial role in the creation of humans.
Viking Idi
| 100 CruisesIdi, the frost giant, is the brother of Thjazzi and Gangr, and the son of Olvadi who was extremely rich in gold.
Viking Jupiter
| 172 CruisesExpand your horizons on this comfortable, award-winning ship, intimate and thoughtfully created by experienced nautical architects and designers to enrich your interaction with your destination in every way.
Viking Kadlin
| 37 CruisesKadlin was the daughter of Rolf (also called Rollo), a Norse nobleman who conquered and ruled over the Viking principality that became known as Normandy.
Viking Kara
| 319 CruisesIn Norse mythology Kara is one of the Valkyries who are also known as swan maidens or wish maidens.
Viking Kari
| 132 CruisesEldest son of the ancient giant Fornjot, Kari was the god of the north wind, capable of carrying great Viking longships across vast waters.
Viking Lofn
| 76 CruisesThe Norse goddess Lofn is so gracious that the mightiest of gods melts to her will.
Viking Magni
| 30 CruisesSon of the mighty Norse god Thor, Magni is believed to be the one god stronger than his father.
Viking Mani
| 274 CruisesIn Norse mythology the gods banish Mani and his sister Sol to the heavens because their father was so arrogant as to name them “moon” and “sun.
Viking Mimir
| 27 CruisesMimir is said to have gained wisdom and knowledge by drinking from the Well of Wisdom.
Viking Mississippi
| 110 CruisesHosting 386 guests in 193 all outside staterooms, the new state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi is inspired by our award-winning Viking Longships and ocean ships and will feature clean Scandinavian design, as well as public spaces that are familiar to guests but that have been reimagined for Mississippi River voyages.
Viking Neptune
| 151 CruisesExpand your horizons on our award-winning, all-veranda small ship, with just 930 guests, allowing us to dock where larger ships cannot.
Viking Nerthus
| 20 CruisesNerthus, an ancient deity revered by various Germanic and Scandinavian tribes, symbolizes fertility and the earth.
Viking Orion
| 125 CruisesExpand your horizons on this comfortable, award-winning ship, intimate and thoughtfully created by experienced nautical architects and designers to enrich your interaction with your destination in every way.
Viking Osfrid
| 79 CruisesOsfrid co-led the first recorded mission from Norway to England at the command of Harald I, King of Norway. Harald corresponded with Athelstan, King of Wessex, and the Norwegian king dispatched Osfrid and Helgrim to sail to England.
Viking Osiris
| 106 CruisesOwned and operated by Viking, Viking Osiris is a brand new vessel, the most upscale ship in Egypt.
Viking Ptah
| 56 CruisesNamed after one of the oldest Egyptian deities and the chief god of the city of Memphis, the Viking Ptah is a state-of-the-art vessel—owned and operated by Viking—specifically built to cruise the Nile.
Viking Ra
| 61 CruisesOwned and operated by Viking, Viking Ra was specifically built to navigate the Nile.
Viking Radgrid
| 121 CruisesRadgrid was one of the legendary horse-riding Valkyries, the handmaidens of Odin, the father of the gods.
Viking Rolf
| 151 CruisesOne of the oldest Nordic-Viking names, “Rolf” came from “Hrodwulf,” a Dark Ages appellation when mostly pagan names tended to extol virtues.
Viking Rota
| 113 CruisesRóta was a rebellious Valkyrie, one of the fierce warrior women known as the “choosers of the slain” who served Odin.
Viking Saigon
| 43 CruisesDesigned to navigate the Mekong River, hosting just 80 guests, Viking Saigon offers understated elegance and has been built to reflect the clean, Scandinavian design principles for which Viking is known.
Viking Saturn
| 201 CruisesExpand your horizons on our award-winning, all-veranda small ship, with just 930 guests, allowing us to dock where larger ships cannot.
Viking Sea
| 181 CruisesExpand your horizons on this comfortable, award-winning ship, intimate and thoughtfully created by experienced nautical architects and designers to enrich your interaction with your destination in every way.
Viking Sekhmet
| 37 CruisesNamed after an ancient Egyptian goddess of war, the Viking Sekhmet is a state-of-the-art vessel—owned and operated by Viking—specifically built to cruise the Nile.
Viking Sigrun
| 230 CruisesSigrun is the leader of a band of nine Valkyries, the horse-riding women who descend upon battles to decide which soldiers die and which live.
Viking Skaga
| 95 CruisesAstride her horse, the Valkyrie Skaga flew into battle to determine which soldiers would live and which would die, escorting the dead to Valhalla, the kingdom of the gods.
Viking Sky
| 116 CruisesExpand your horizons on this comfortable, award-winning ship, intimate and thoughtfully created by experienced nautical architects and designers to enrich your interaction with your destination in every way.
Viking Star
| 141 CruisesExpand your horizons on this comfortable, award-winning ship, intimate and thoughtfully created by experienced nautical architects and designers to enrich your interaction with your destination in every way.
Viking Thoth
| 65 CruisesNamed after the ancient Egyptian god of writing and learning, the Viking Thoth is a state-of-the-art vessel—owned and operated by Viking—specifically built to cruise the Nile.
Viking Tir
| 26 CruisesThe son of Hymir, Tir is the god of heroic glory who sacrificed his hand to tame the evil wolf Fenrir.
Viking Tonle
| 41 CruisesThe Viking Tonle, named after the Khmer word for "fresh water," was designed to navigate the Mekong River.
Viking Tor
| 103 CruisesTor, a version of the name Thor, is a son of Odin and god of the sky and thunder.
Viking Torgil
| 50 CruisesAn alleged son of the Danish King Harald, Torgil sailed westward to Bretland (Wales and western England), Portugal and Ireland.
Viking Ullur
| 81 CruisesStepson of Thor, Ullur is the god of the hunt, known for his great skill as an archer.
Viking Vali
| 31 CruisesThe son of Odin and the giantess Rind, Vali was conceived to avenge the death of Baldur, another of Odin’s children.
Viking Vela
| 150 CruisesExpand your horizons on our award-winning, all-veranda small ship, with just 998 guests, allowing us to dock where larger ships cannot.
Viking Venus
| 135 CruisesExpand your horizons on this comfortable, award-winning ship, intimate and thoughtfully created by experienced nautical architects and designers to enrich your interaction with your destination in every way.
Viking Vesta
| 209 CruisesExpand your horizons on our award-winning, all-veranda small ship, with just 998 guests, allowing us to dock where larger ships cannot.
Viking Vilhjalm
| 100 CruisesVilhjalm Langaspjót, or William I Longsword as he is also known, was the half brother of Kadlin and the son of “Rolf the Ganger,” a Viking chief and first Duke of Normandy.
Viking Vili
| 28 CruisesIn Norse creation mythology, Vili and his brothers Odin and Ve rise up and slay the primeval Ymir, who had ruled the realm with his race of giants.
Viking Yi Dun
| 15 CruisesDedicated specifically to exploring destinations in China, with an onboard experience that complements your discoveries ashore, our award-winning, all-veranda small ship hosts just 930 guests, allowing us to dock where larger ships cannot.