Viking Cruises is a leading global cruise line known for its river and ocean cruise offerings, providing premium travel experiences in destinations around the world. Founded in 1997 by Norwegian entrepreneur Torstein Hagen, Viking Cruises initially started as a river cruise operator in Europe but has since expanded into ocean cruising and expedition voyages. Viking Cruises is recognized for its focus on culturally immersive experiences, small ship sizes, and elegant, understated luxury.
Viking’s tagline “The Thinking Person’s Cruise” reflects its emphasis on enriching travel experiences, combining luxury with educational, cultural, and historical immersion. The brand offers itineraries in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, the Caribbean, and more.
Key Information
- Revenue (2022): Estimated around $3.5 billion
- Employees: Over 10,000 worldwide
- Market Segment: Premium, luxury cruising
- Global Presence: Over 70 ships (river and ocean) operating worldwide, including in Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond
- Fleet:
- River Cruises: Over 60 river ships, primarily focused on European destinations but expanding to Asia and Egypt.
- Ocean Cruises: Includes the Viking Ocean Cruises fleet of state-of-the-art ocean-going vessels.
- Expedition Cruises: In 2022, Viking launched Viking Expeditions, offering voyages to the polar regions.
Key Business Areas
- River Cruises: Viking’s river cruise offerings are among the best in the industry, operating on Europe’s major rivers, such as the Danube, Rhine, Seine, and Volga, with added river routes in Asia (China’s Yangtze) and Egypt (the Nile).
- Ocean Cruises: Viking has expanded into ocean cruising, offering modern, luxurious ships with intimate settings, no casinos, and a focus on cultural enrichment through excursions and onboard lectures. It sails in Europe, the Caribbean, South America, North America, and more.
- Expedition Cruises: With the launch of Viking Expeditions, the cruise line now offers Arctic and Antarctic exploration cruises, along with trips to other remote and eco-sensitive locations.
- Cultural Immersion & Shore Excursions: Viking emphasizes culturally immersive shore excursions, offering unique, destination-focused experiences with local guides. These include private tours, regional cooking classes, and expert-led talks.
- Loyalty Program: Viking’s Viking Voyager Program rewards repeat cruisers with benefits such as priority bookings, discounts on future cruises, and exclusive access to special offers.
Brand Identity & Experience
- Elegance and Simplicity: Viking is known for its understated luxury, which focuses on elegance, comfort, and a sleek, modern design. Their ships are designed to be relaxed, without the distractions of large-scale entertainment like casinos, making it an ideal option for travelers looking for a serene and culturally immersive experience.
- Educational & Cultural Enrichment: Viking’s focus on learning and enrichment sets it apart from many other cruise lines. Guests can enjoy expert talks, onboard lectures, cooking demonstrations, and destination-focused activities.
- Inclusive: Viking’s cruises are all-inclusive, covering shore excursions, meals, drinks, and Wi-Fi. There is a focus on offering value for money with minimal upcharges, which appeals to those looking for a straightforward, high-quality cruising experience.
- Small Ship Experience: Viking’s river cruise vessels typically carry fewer guests, making the experience more intimate and giving passengers access to smaller, less-visited ports. The ocean ships are similarly smaller than other mass-market vessels, ensuring fewer crowds and a more personalized experience.
Key Features & Services
- Luxury Accommodations: Viking ships feature modern, spacious staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, high-quality bedding, and upscale amenities. The ships are designed to reflect the destinations visited, with elegant, contemporary decor.
- Inclusive Dining: Viking offers a variety of dining options, ranging from fine dining restaurants to casual buffets and al fresco dining on the upper deck. Specialty dining is available on certain ships, and all dining is included in the price, with no additional charges for meals, unlike some competing cruise lines.
- Excursions: Viking offers enriching shore excursions in every port of call. These are often included in the cruise fare, with options for guests to add extra excursions for a more in-depth experience.
- Wellness & Fitness: Many Viking ships are equipped with a fitness center, spa, and swimming pools. Viking’s wellness offerings also include yoga sessions, spa treatments, and wellness lectures that reflect the brand’s focus on holistic experiences.
- Onboard Entertainment: Viking’s ships offer low-key entertainment focused on enrichment rather than traditional cruise ship shows. This includes cultural lectures, cooking demonstrations, classical music performances, and more intimate onboard experiences.
- Sustainability: Viking takes an environmentally-conscious approach, focusing on fuel-efficient ships and eco-friendly practices onboard. Viking’s river cruise ships use fuel-efficient engines, and their ocean ships have a reduced environmental footprint with advanced waste treatment systems and low-energy consumption technologies.
MISSISSIPPI – Utility Attendant
MISSISSIPPI – Public Room Attendant
MISSISSIPPI – Assistant Stateroom Steward/ess
EXPEDITION – Specialist in Ornithology – Antarctica
MISSISSIPPI – Assistant Chef de Partie
MISSISSIPPI – Guest Services Agent
MISSISSIPPI – Assistant Restaurant Manager
MISSISSIPPI – Assistant Housekeeping Manager
EXPEDITION – Specialist in Geology/Glaciology
MISSISSIPPI – Entertainment/Lectures
Third Party Privacy Risk Analyst
MISSISSIPPI – Associate Hotel Manager
Third Party Privacy Risk Analyst
MISSISSIPPI – Senior Relief Officer
MISSISSIPPI – Human Resource Manager
Senior HR Analyst Senior Human Resources Analyst
