Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises is a privately owned company founded by Norwegian entrepreneur Torstein Hagen in 1997. He remains the Chairman today, and under his leadership, Viking has grown from a small river cruise line into one of the world’s leading cruise brands, offering both river and ocean voyages. Viking remains proudly independent, allowing them to focus on quality, consistency, and a guest-first experience across their entire fleet.

Yes, Viking Cruises offers entertainment – but it’s a different style to what you might find on larger cruise lines. Instead of big Broadway-style shows or casinos, Viking focuses on enriching, culturally inspired experiences. You can enjoy live classical music, regional performances, guest lectures, destination-focused talks, and film screenings in the onboard cinema or under the stars on the pool deck. It’s all designed to complement the places you’re visiting – thoughtful, elegant, and never over-the-top.

Viking Cruises sail from a variety of ports around the world, including popular UK departure points such as Greenwich or Tilbury. Other embarkation ports include Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Athens (Piraeus), Istanbul, Miami, Sydney, and more. Viking’s carefully crafted itineraries span Europe, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Asia, Australia, and even world cruises – so there’s a wide choice of starting points depending on your destination.

Viking Ocean Cruises are known for their exceptional value. Your fare includes a spacious veranda stateroom, Wi-Fi, one complimentary shore excursion in every port, all onboard meals, 24-hour room service, beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, access to the Nordic Spa, self-service laundry, speciality dining, and gratuities. There are no casinos, no kids, and no hidden surprises – just a beautifully relaxed, all-inclusive experience designed for adults who love to explore in comfort.

Yes, gratuities are included in your Viking Ocean Cruise fare. There's no need to worry about tipping your cabin steward, restaurant staff or onboard crew – it's all taken care of. Viking believes in transparent pricing, so you can relax and enjoy the journey without unexpected charges at the end of your cruise.

Yes – Viking Cruises are strictly adults only, with all guests required to be 18 years of age or older. This creates a calm, refined onboard atmosphere, perfect for travellers who want to relax, explore, and enjoy cultural enrichment without family-focused facilities or onboard distractions. It’s one of the reasons so many of our customers choose Viking time and again.

Viking Ocean Cruises has a relaxed and elegant “resort casual” dress code. During the day, comfortable attire is perfect for exploring ashore or relaxing onboard. In the evening, most guests opt for smart casual – think dresses, blouses, trousers, collared shirts and jackets (ties are optional). There are no formal nights, so you won’t need to pack evening gowns or tuxedos. It’s all about feeling comfortable while still enjoying a refined atmosphere.