From the beginning of the River Cruise boom over ten years ago, Viking Cruises has earned the highest accolades from passengers and respected travel industry entities, including Cruise Critic, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, and many others. In 2015, Viking launched their first ocean cruise ship and immediately began reinventing Ocean Cruising. They define the Viking difference as “The Thinking Person’s Cruise^TM” and Travel Maestro explains what that means to you as a Viking guest.

How Viking is Reinventing Ocean Cruising

Viking Ocean Cruises’ overall philosophy is to provide an exceptional travel experience that is culturally stimulating so passengers have the opportunity to learn about and engage with their destinations. One of the ways they do that is with smaller ships that carry only 930 guests. Viking ocean vessels can sail into seldom-visited ports or into the heart of larger cities, putting guests within walking distance of local life.

The Viking Way offers access to people and places travelers would find difficult to visit without insider connections. Included and optional shore excursions open doors to historic buildings and local insights in hundreds of destinations worldwide. These privileged access opportunities make it possible for guests to explore, learn and understand the destination on a personal level.

Onboard, the cultural enrichment continues with folkloric shows and regional music performances. Experts on the destination’s art and history give lectures about the area. An onboard cooking school teaches how to prepare local specialties and guests enjoy wine tastings of the local vintages.

Experiencing the cuisine of a region is an integral part of the journey for many, so Viking Ocean Cruises puts an emphasis on destination-focused dining, both onboard and onshore. The Restaurant offers a wide culinary selection of fine dining for three meals a day, while the three alternative restaurants, the World Café, the Chef’s Table, and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant, offer American classics and regional specialties.

The décor onboard Viking Ocean Cruises is elegant and intimate with serene Scandinavian spaces. The tranquil Wintergarden serves afternoon tea daily, the Scandinavian spa is a Nordic sanctuary, and the Explorer’s Lounge is a relaxed meeting place for travelers to gather and chat. Staterooms are open and airy retreats where guests enjoy impressive views of their destination.

Last, but certainly not least, the genuine and thoughtful service onboard Viking Ocean Cruises elevates the whole cruise experience. The staff is Swiss-trained and dedicated to personal service and with the intimate ship size. Viking is so confident that their services will exceed expectations, they actually guarantee it with a 100% cruise refund offer – the only cruise line to do so.

Viking Ocean Cruise Vessels and Voyages

Viking Ocean Cruises’ fleet is currently made up of two ships: Viking Star and Viking Sea. They will be joined by four sister ships by 2020: Viking Sky in early 2017, Viking Sun in late 2017, Viking Spirit in June 2018, and a yet-to-be-named ship in 2020.

Viking Star and Viking Sea are currently sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean, Baltic, and Northern Europe, and then Viking Sea will come to the Eastern Seaboard, Caribbean, and South America in the fall of 2017.

Exciting new itineraries for the new ships include:

• Panama & Central America – Nov 2017
• Turquoise seas of the Western Caribbean – Nov 2017
• Southeast Asia and Hong Kong – Sept 2018
• Capitals of the Far East – Oct 2018
• Australia & New Zealand – Dec 2018
• Alaska & the Inside Passage – May 2019

Viking Ocean Cruises is indeed reinventing Ocean Cruising with authentic experiences, overnight stays and Scandinavian sophistication. To find out more about Vikings Ocean Cruises’ itineraries and availability, contact Covington’s cruise specialists today.

Disclaimer: Covington Travel is pleased to recognize Viking Cruises as a valued partner and sponsor of this post.