Viking has announced the itinerary for its 2024 and 2025 World Cruises, including the new Viking World Voyage I, which circumnavigates the globe in 180 days, visiting 37 countries, and 85 ports, including 13 historic cities. The ship will set sail from Fort Lauderdale on December 19, 2024, and will return to the United States on June 17, 2025, its final port of call, having circumnavigated the world. The introduction of Viking’s new 25th Anniversary Sale on January 1 resulted in the biggest number of bookings in a single week in the history of the firm. On January 9, Viking experienced its best sales day ever.
“For 25 years, we have been committed to providing our guests with immersive and culturally enriching experiences while traveling the world in comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Our previous World Cruises sold out in a matter of weeks, and we continue to see strong demand from our guests for extended voyages. Our seamless World Cruises are the greatest of all adventures and allow guests to explore more of the world with us.”
Viking’s award-winning 930-passenger vessel, the Viking Sky®, will visit ports of call in Central America; transit the Panama Canal; sail up the West Coast of North America before crossing the Pacific Ocean and calling upon the Hawaiian islands and French Polynesia; traverse New Zealand and Australia; and sail through Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Northern Europe before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and concluding in New York. A shorter 163-day segment of the voyage, Viking World Voyage II, departs Los Angeles on January 5, 2025, visits 29 nations and 78 ports and concludes in New York. Guests may also select the 138-day Viking World Cruise route from Ft. Lauderdale to London or the 121-day Viking World Journeys cruise, which commences from Los Angeles and travels to 23 countries before concluding in London.
Highlights of the 2024-2025 World Cruise Itinerary:
In a single route, Viking’s newest World Cruises visit dozens of the world’s most famous cities as well as lesser-known locations. Guests can explore further with overnight stays in 13 ports, including Sydney, Haifa, Singapore, and Istanbul, and double overnights in Auckland, Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Yangon, Mumbai, and Bergen. Onboard, Viking delivers cultural enrichment through onboard lectures and entertainment, such as the Viking Resident Historian® program, which offers guests a high-level historical and cultural education pertinent to their journey. Guests will immerse themselves in the world’s many cultures through excursions and Privileged Access® visits to cultural institutions that provide unparalleled insight into daily life. Highlights of the new Viking World Cruise itineraries for 2024 and 2025 include:
- Auckland, New Zealand: Cultural Capital of New Zealand – Guests will spend three days in New Zealand’s cosmopolitan metropolis of Auckland, noted for its award-winning wines, tree-lined parks, and love of boating, which is situated between the ports of Waitemata and Manukau.
- Singapore, Singapore: A Melting Pot of Cultures – During an overnight visit in Singapore, witness the incredible cultural diversity of the city-state. Take a tour of the city’s many neighborhoods, from Little India to Arab Street, or enjoy a Night Safari at the world’s first nocturnal animal park.
- Mumbai, India: A City of Old and New – While in port in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai for three days, guests have more time ashore to learn about the life and legacy of activist Mahatma Gandhi, enjoy the Hanging Gardens, one of the city’s few prized parks, and explore the diversity of its neighborhoods, from the picturesque narrow streets of Old Mumbai to the vibrant markets in the city’s heart.
- Istanbul, Turkey: Where East Meets West – During an overnight visit, guests will have ample time to explore this fascinating city. Istanbul, straddling two continents and the Bosporus Strait, offers an abundance of religious attractions to see, such as the majestic Blue Mosque and the famed Hagia Sophia, as well as a delectable fusion cuisine that combines fresh Mediterranean dishes with spices from the Far East and Asia.
- London (Greenwich), England: The Royal Borough – Guests will enjoy exploring the historic Royal Borough of Greenwich, London on the Thames River, which provides easy access to the royal capital’s iconic attractions, such as the Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- New York City, New York: The City That Never Sleeps – The epic Viking World Voyage I and Viking World Voyage II journeys culminate in New York City, where tourists can explore Lower Manhattan’s financial sector and Greenwich Village. The city offers something for everyone with its culture, gastronomy, and architectural splendor.
The Viking Sky
Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests. Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet includes the Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, Viking Sky®, Viking Orion®, Viking Jupiter®, Viking Venus®, Viking Mars®, and Viking Neptune®. The Viking Saturn® will join the fleet in 2023. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” Viking’s ocean fleet features a modern Scandinavian design with elegant touches, intimate spaces, and attention to detail. Highlights include:
- All Veranda Staterooms: Guests can choose from five stateroom categories, starting from 270 sq. ft. Veranda Staterooms, all with private verandas, sweeping views of the destination, and premium amenities that include king-size beds with luxury linens, generously proportioned closets, large interactive flat-screen LCD TVs with movies-on-demand, free Wi-Fi and award-winning bathrooms with large showers, premium Freyja® bath products, and heated floors.
- Explorer Suites: The ships feature 14 Explorer Suites, which are two-room suites ranging from 757 to 1,163 sq. ft. With expansive views from wraparound private verandas, as well as the most amenities and privileges of any category on board, Explorer Suites offer the ultimate sanctuary for World Cruise guests.
- Two Pool Choices: In addition to the Main Pool with a retractable roof permitting any-season swimming, the ships feature a first-of-its-kind glass-backed Infinity Pool cantilevered off the stern, allowing guests to swim surrounded by their destination.
- The Spa: In keeping with Viking’s Nordic heritage, The Spa on board is designed with the holistic wellness philosophy of Scandinavia in mind—from the centuries-old tradition of the sauna to a Snow Grotto where snowflakes gently descend from the ceiling through chilled air.
- Explorers’ Lounge and Mamsen’s: Share a cocktail with friends. Linger over a Norwegian breakfast and a nautical history book. The Explorers’ Lounge and Mamsen’s gourmet deli are thoughtful spaces located at the bow of the ship and designed to represent the Scandinavian spirit for complete relaxation and for marveling at sweeping views through double-height windows.
- The Wintergarden: Guests looking for serenity will find it in the Wintergarden. In this elegant space under a canopy of Scandinavian trellised wood, guests can indulge in afternoon tea service.
- Dining Choices: Viking’s ships offer eight dining options, all with no additional charge or fee—from fine dining in The Restaurant, which serves three full meals and a variety of culinary options, and the World Café, which features international fare and regional specialties including a sushi and seafood cold bar—to intimate alternative dining experiences at The Chef’s Table, which offers a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings, and Manfredi’s, which features freshly prepared pasta and Italian favorites. The Pool Grill specializes in gourmet burgers, while afternoon tea and scones are available in the Wintergarden. Mamsen’s serves Norwegian deli-style fare, and complimentary 24-hour room service allows all guests to enjoy many signature dishes in the comfort of their stateroom. Furthermore, with multiple choices for outdoor seating during meals, Viking’s ocean ships offer the most al fresco dining at sea. Additionally, The Kitchen Table specializes in regional dishes from market to table.
- Cultural Enrichment: Viking experiences from ship to shore are designed for unparalleled access and cultural enrichment. Viking Resident Historians deliver high-level historical and cultural education specific to the journey, offering invaluable insight into the rich history of the destination. Guest Lecturers who are experts in their fields shed light on the destination’s art, architecture, music, geopolitics, the natural world, and more. Destination Performances represent the most iconic cultural performing arts of the region—whether it be Italian opera or Portuguese fado. Resident Classical Musicians—pianists, guitarists, violinists, and flutists—perform classical compositions throughout the ships. And Culinary Classes in The Kitchen Table, Viking’s onboard cooking school, focus on regional cuisine.
- Nordic Inspiration: Even the smallest details take their inspiration from the exploratory spirit of the original Vikings, reflecting deeply held Nordic traditions. Light wood grains, touches of slate and teak, Swedish limestone, and fragrant juniper appear throughout the public spaces and Spa. The Clinker-built design of the Viking Bar mirrors the construction style of the original Viking Longships. A Viking Heritage Center provides history and context from the Viking Age. And characters from Norse Mythology are subtly incorporated into the design, providing curious guests with inspiration to further explore Viking’s Nordic heritage.
Booking Details
From now until March 31, 2023, Viking is providing special savings for World Cruise guests, including business class air, ground transfers to and from the ship, all onboard gratuities and service fees, complimentary visa service, and Silver Spirits beverage package, which includes nearly all drinks on board, and free luggage shipping services for embarkation. In addition, all World Cruise passengers receive a $2,000 per person credit for optional shore excursions or overland trips, as well as a $1,000 per person shipboard credit for spa treatments, onboard shops, and laundry. Members of the Viking Explorer Society earn an additional onboard credit of $1,000 per person. For more information, contact Viking at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or a travel agency.
[Source: Viking Press Release]