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Viking has opened bookings for its largest ocean program yet. More than 700 new departure dates are now on sale for 2028–2029. They cover 80 voyages, 301 ports, 84 countries and six continents.

For travellers who like to plan ahead, that is a very large diary indeed.

The new program was announced on 6 August 2026. It spans the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean, South America and the Panama Canal. Trips range from eight-day cruises to long World Voyages. Many can also be joined together to create longer holidays.

Two new routes lead the launch. They are the Alaskan Fjords & the Inside Passage, and the Mediterranean, Malta & North Africa. Viking has also added more departures of its Japan Discovery itinerary.

Two new ships will join the ocean fleet as well. Viking Vega is due in 2028, followed by Viking Leda in 2029.

“With our largest ocean deployment to date, we are pleased to offer guests even more opportunities to explore the world in Viking comfort,” said Leah Talactac, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viking. “From new itineraries to our two newest ocean ships, this deployment reflects our continued commitment to providing destination-focused voyages for curious travelers.”

That quote says much about Viking’s game plan. The line is not trying to win a contest for the tallest waterslide at sea. Its pitch remains smaller ships, broad destination access and journeys built around what is ashore.

Alaska gets more time

The new Alaskan Fjords & the Inside Passage itinerary runs for 15 days from Vancouver to Whittier.

The voyage takes guests through Alaska’s Inside Passage, fjords and remote coastal country. Viking highlights kayaking, hiking and wildlife watching. Eagles, bears and whales may all make an appearance. Guests will also meet Tlingit hosts and hear stories about the land and its culture.

For Australian advisers, the route has strong packaging potential. Alaska can sit neatly beside a Canadian touring holiday or a wider North American trip. The 15-day cruise gives agents a solid centrepiece, with room for land arrangements before and after the sailing.

Malta and North Africa enter the mix

The new Mediterranean, Malta & North Africa itinerary is a 16-day roundtrip voyage from Rome.

It includes Valletta, North African ports, Andalusia, Provence and Corsica. Viking is placing strong focus on history and culture. Highlights include the legacy of the Knights of St. John in Malta and the Moorish story of southern Spain. The UNESCO-listed Alhambra Palace is one of the key drawcards.

The appeal for repeat Mediterranean cruisers is clear. There are familiar names, but the route also brings in a wider regional mix. In trade terms, that gives advisers a fresh angle. Another lap of the Med is easier to sell when it is not quite the same lap.

Japan Discovery adds more departures

Japan also remains firmly on Viking’s map.

Japan Discovery is a 15-day roundtrip Tokyo voyage. It circles Japan and crosses the Sea of Japan to the south-eastern tip of the Korean Peninsula. Calls include Niigata, Hakata in Fukuoka, Sapporo and an overnight stop in Shimizu. Tokyo also features an overnight stay.

The route blends big-city energy with regional culture, architecture and heritage. That balance should suit Australian travellers who want more than a quick look at Japan’s headline cities.

Viking Vega and Viking Leda on the way

Viking Vega and Viking Leda will be the newest ships in Viking’s ocean fleet when they arrive in 2028 and 2029.

Each ship is planned at 54,300 gross tons. Each will have 499 staterooms and room for 998 guests. All staterooms will have verandas. Viking also promises its familiar Scandinavian design, bright public spaces and plenty of outdoor dining.

The size is important to the brand. Viking classifies its ocean vessels as small ships. The company says that scale helps them reach ports that are harder for much larger ships to access. The Viking Vega ship page confirms its 998-guest capacity and 2028 build year.

Viking’s Australian website already lists both new vessels in its ocean fleet information. The local Viking Leda page, for example, shows a small ship with 998 guests and a 2029 build year.

Why this matters to the trade

The bigger story is not simply 700 new dates. It is the amount of future stock now available to sell.

Opening such a large 2028–2029 program gives repeat guests and long-range planners far more choice. It also helps advisers working on complex international trips. Preferred dates, cabin types, and cruise combinations can be discussed years in advance.

There is one booking detail Australian readers should note. The Anniversary Sale in Viking’s US announcement runs to 31 August 2026 and is aimed at North American travellers. It includes reduced fares, up to free international airfare on selected trips and a US$25 deposit. Those terms should not be assumed to apply in Australia.

Australian travellers should check Viking’s Australian website or speak with a travel adviser for current Australian offers and booking conditions. Viking’s local site carries Australian-dollar pricing and its own offer terms, which may differ from promotions published in North America.

Viking’s largest ocean deployment to date is therefore more than a timetable update. It adds ships, routes and choice while keeping the brand’s core idea intact: go smaller, stay focused on the destination and give curious travellers more of the world to explore.

And if 2029 still sounds a long way off, Viking appears to have decided that good holidays like good manners and a decent lunch reservation are best arranged early.