Viking® (www.viking.com) today announced that its 2026 ocean voyages are now open for booking. With many 2024 dates already sold out and 2025 departures selling fast, strong demand among travellers has led to an early opening of 2026 departures across the company’s ocean fleet. Viking also announced voyages for its newest ship, the Viking Vesta®, which is scheduled to join the award-winning fleet in July 2025. The 998-guest sister ship will spend her inaugural season sailing popular 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 travellers to the Viking way of exploration.”
Viking is rated the #1 Ocean Line by both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. With more than 80 ocean itineraries offered, examples of the 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. See charming Ålborg and Gdańsk, and visit the grand cities of Berlin and Copenhagen. Witness breathtaking scenery from your ship as she glides through majestic Norwegian fjords in the legendary homelands of the Vikings.
- Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 days; Barcelona—Rome) – France’s famed southern coast and Italy’s Renaissance treasures take centre stage on this eight-day Mediterranean sojourn. Immerse yourself in Catalonian and Tuscan art, architecture and history during overnights in Barcelona and Tuscany. In the South of France, call on historic Montpellier and picturesque Marseille, and visit Monte Carlo, Monaco’s glamorous city by the sea.
- Empires of the Mediterranean (10 days; Venice—Athens) – Ten days. Nine magnificent destinations. One epic journey. Sail the Adriatic and Aegean, taking in all the riches of this fabled region. On an exploration bookended by iconic Venice and Athens, 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. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and be captivated by Koper, the gateway to picturesque Slovenia.
- British Isles Explorer (15 days; Bergen—London) – Immerse yourself in the British Isles with overnight stays in Bergen, Norway, and Greenwich, England. Discover the legendary Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland and its capital, Edinburgh. Visit the Shetland and Orkney Islands, and contrast modern Belfast with traditional Dublin. Witness Welsh culture in Snowdonia. In England, visit maritime Liverpool, see historic Dover and enjoy a tour of London.
Additionally, Viking has announced six new immersive Pre and Post Extensions beginning in 2024 and 2025. Pre and Post extensions are increasingly popular with travellers; over 45 per cent of all Viking guests choose to add such extensions 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—as well as more time to personalize the journey with optional excursions. The new extensions include:
- Best of Barcelona – Explore Cataluña’s capital, the beautiful city of Barcelona. Admire views from atop Montserrat, revel in the spectacle of La Sagrada Familia and roam the storied Gothic Quarter. Additionally, enjoy time at your leisure or join fellow travelers for optional excursions to further immerse in local culture.
- Best of Istanbul – Immerse yourself in the history of the Ottoman Empire with visits to the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Explore the expansive Grand Bazaar and a spice market, and savor Turkish culinary delights at a Michelin Star restaurant and farm-to-table experience in an idyllic setting.
- Best of London – Explore the iconic sites of London and enjoy Privileged Access experiences at the British Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Tantalize your taste buds at Borough Market with TV chef and culinary author, Celia Brooks, and spend an evening at the Tower of London as you witness a centuries-old ceremony.
- Best of Rome – Explore more of Rome, the “Eternal City,” during an extended stay. Stroll narrow streets and vibrant piazzas, with every corner of the city revealing a piece of history. Visit Vatican City and its museums, see the sights of ancient Rome and learn the art of making pasta the Italian way.
- Best of Stockholm – Immerse in the vibrant culture and natural beauty of Stockholm. Admire the art gracing its subway stations and historic City Hall, cruise its scenic archipelago and savor a taste of traditional cuisine at Östermalmshallen. Optional excursions offer you a chance to explore more of Sweden’s elegant capital city.
- Best of Venice – Experience Venice as few do, avoiding the crowds for an intimate look at this famous city. Cruise the Grand Canal at night, take a morning stroll through the bustling Rialto Fish Market and admire historic landmarks around iconic St. Mark’s Square after hours during this unforgettable sojourn.
The Viking Vesta
Classified as a small ship, the Viking Vesta has a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons, with 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests. She will join the award-winning ocean fleet of sister ships, which includes the Viking Star®, the Viking Sea®, the Viking Sky®, the Viking Orion®, the Viking Jupiter®, the Viking Venus®, the Viking Mars®, the Viking Neptune® and the Viking Saturn®. The new Viking Vela® is scheduled to debut in December 2024.
Booking Details
From now through March 28, 2024, Viking’s Explorer Sale is offering Australian and New Zealand travellers:
- Included return economy flights* to Europe on 2025 and 2026 river journeys and to Southeast Asia on 15-day river journeys;
- Up to $3,000 flight credit per couple* on 2025 & 2026 ocean voyages;
- Savings of up to $4,000 per couple* on select 2025 & 2026 expedition voyages.
