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About Viking Ocean Cruises: Small-ship premium ocean

Destination-focused ocean cruising on small, all-veranda sister ships carrying just 930 guests, with an included shore excursion in every port.

1997 Founded 2015 Ocean voyages since 930 Guests per ship 100% veranda Staterooms 2,063 sailings bookable now
Viking Ocean Cruises Viking Ocean Cruises — view sailings →

About Viking Ocean Cruises

“On a Viking ship, you will sail into the heart of your destination, so you can explore up close and in depth. The size of Viking’s vessels—with just 930 guests—gives a greater maneuverability, allowing to dock where the mega-liners cannot, giving you more access to your destination and more time to explore. From the prime, central berths in the world’s great cities and seldom-visited ports, enriching discoveries are just a short walk from your ship. Viking Ocean focuses more on the cultural enrichment experience, so you won't find casinos, children, umbrella drinks or needless distractions onboard their ships. Instead, you will travel to intriguing and often little-known ports, enjoying ample time ashore, many overnight stays and an included excursion in each port of call. Since traveling with Viking is an inclusive experience, there is never any sales pressure to purchase spa packages or specialty items from Viking’s menus. Any extras you add are entirely up to you.” — Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking began on Europe's rivers in 1997, and in 2015 the company carried its destination-first philosophy out to sea. The idea was disarmingly simple: build ocean ships small enough to sail into ports that larger vessels must skip, then fill the itinerary with the culture, history, and cuisine of the places visited. Today Viking sails all five oceans, and its ocean voyages consistently earn top honors from Condé Nast Traveler readers, part of a collection of more than 450 awards across the Viking fleet.

The ocean ships are identical sisters, each welcoming just 930 guests in 100% veranda staterooms. Their understated Scandinavian design favors light, calm, and generous public space over spectacle: a two-deck Explorers' Lounge with sweeping views, an infinity pool, the Nordic-inspired spa, and thoughtfully curated book collections tucked throughout the ship. Every stateroom has a private veranda, a king-size bed, and a heated bathroom floor, small comforts that add up over a long voyage.

What most distinguishes Viking is what the fare already covers: a shore excursion in every port, alternative-restaurant dining, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, spa access, even self-service launderettes. Viking calls itself the line for The Thinking Person™, and that is precisely who it suits, curious adults who would rather attend an enrichment lecture or linger over al fresco dining than stand in line for a waterslide.

New & notable: Viking continues to grow its ocean fleet with new sister ships, including Viking Libra—arriving in late 2026 as the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, capable of operating with zero emissions.

Save on Viking Ocean Cruises with Pavlus Travel

Pavlus Travel has been helping travelers save on the world's best cruise lines since 1994. Book Viking Ocean Cruises through Pavlus and our exclusive discounts stack on top of the line's own current promotions — then our Lowest Price Guarantee keeps it that way. You never pay a service or planning fee, and you work one-on-one with a dedicated advisor who knows Viking Ocean Cruises inside and out, from first quote to final port.

  • Exclusive Pavlus savings on every Viking Ocean Cruises sailing
  • Lowest Price Guarantee — matched or beaten
  • Never any service or planning fees
  • A dedicated personal travel advisor, not a call center
  • 30+ years of negotiated cruise-line relationships
Exclusive Savings

Get Your Viking Ocean Cruises Quote

Our advisors quote the real bottom-line price — exclusive savings included — in minutes, with zero obligation.

Call 1-800-528-9300 Browse Sailings & Get a Quote

The Viking Ocean Cruises Experience

Small Sister Ships

An award-winning fleet of identical vessels carrying just 930 guests each, sized to sail directly into ports that larger ships cannot reach.

All-Veranda Staterooms

Every stateroom on every ocean ship includes a private veranda, plus king-size bed, heated bathroom floor, and elegant Scandinavian styling throughout.

Included Shore Excursions

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call, with enrichment lectures, destination performances, and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Nordic Spa

Complimentary access to the Nordic-inspired spa and fitness center, an onboard sanctuary rooted in the Scandinavian wellness tradition.

Destination-Focused Design

A two-deck Explorers' Lounge, infinity pool, curated book collections, and abundant quiet public spaces designed around the journey itself.

What's Included with Viking Ocean Cruises

  • One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
  • All onboard meals, including alternative-restaurant dining at no extra charge
  • Beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner
  • 24-hour specialty coffees, teas and bottled water
  • 24-hour room service
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center
  • Self-service launderettes
  • Port taxes and fees
  • Ground transfers when air is purchased through Viking

Good to Know Before You Book

Gratuities & tipping
Onboard staff is dedicated to providing you with the best experience possible, and it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of their service. How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion. To save you worry over whom to tip and how much, cruiseline automatically add a discretionary hotel and dining charge of $17 USD per guest per day to your shipboard account, which appears on your final invoice at the end of your voyage. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide your trip experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. You may also wish to tip your local excursions guides or drivers; $3 USD (or equivalent local currency) per person per day is suggested for local guides and $2 USD (or equivalent local currency) per person per day for local drivers, at the end of each tour. Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts or pay in cash, stop by Guest Services at any time.

For your convenience, you can also pre-purchase gratuities at our standard recommended rate in My Viking Journey. If your package includes prepaid gratuities, you will not acquire the discretionary charge of $17 USD per guest per day on your final invoice.

China Cruisetour
The land tour portion of your itinerary is not included in the pre-paid or shipboard gratuity program. If you choose to tip the team during the land portion of your itinerary, the standard recommended rate is $10 USD per guest, per day for your Viking Tour Director, $3 USD per guest, per day for local guides and $2 USD per guest, per day for local motorcoach drivers, both USD or equivalent Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CN¥) is accepted.
Cancellation policy
 

Cancellation By Guest

 
 Cancellation Fee Schedule Effective for Cruise Tours (other than World & Grand Cruises): 
Days Prior to Cruise DepartureCruise/Tour/Land/Air Inclusive Cancellation Fee Per Passenger
120+ days$100 per person
119-90 days20% of full fare
89-70 days35% of full fare
69-50 days50% of full fare
49-30 days75% of full fare
29-0 days100% of full fare
 
 Cancellation Fee Schedule Effective for Cruise Tours more than 35 days (World & Grand Cruises): 
Days Prior to Cruise DepartureCruise/Tour/Land/Air Inclusive Cancellation Fee Per Passenger
180+ days$1,000 per person
179-150 days20% of full fare
149-120 days40% of full fare
119-90 days60% of full fare
89-60 days80% of full fare
59-0 days100% of full fare
 
Full Fare is defined as the full cost of any cruise, land or air component purchased from Viking.
 
Last updated: February 13, 2026. Click this link to view the latest policy provided by the cruise line.
 

For Bookings made in UK please click here

For Bookings made in Australia or New Zealand

Cancellation Fee Schedule Effective for Cruise Tours (other than Grand & World Cruise Voyage)

Written Notice Received Days Prior to Cruise/Tour Departure DateCruise/Tour/Land/Air Inclusive Cancellation Fee Per Passenger
121 days or more$100pp cancellation fee, remaining deposit amount will be refunded to you in the form of a future cruise voucher.
120 to 60 days50% of Full Fare
59 to 0 days100% of Full Fare

Cancellation Fee Schedule Effective for Grand and World Cruise Voyages

Written Notice Received Days Prior to Departure DateCancellation Fee Per Passenger
180 or moreAU$1,000
179 to 15020% of Full Fare
149 to 12040% of Full Fare
119 to 9060% of Full Fare
89 to 6080% of Full Fare
59 or fewer100% of Full Fare


 (Last updated: October 21, 2024  Click here  to view the latest policy provided by the cruise line.) 
Smoking on board
All Viking ship interiors, staterooms and balconies are non-smoking. Each ship has an outdoor smoking area. 
Traveling with minors
All guests must be 18 years old on or before the day they are scheduled to embark on their cruise; Viking brands do not maintain facilities or services on board for younger individuals.
Pregnancy policy
Viking is unable to accommodate women past their 24th week of pregnancy. Viking is not required to provide any inoculations or specialized health or mental care during your cruise, and all such arrangements are your responsibility.

Policies are provided by Viking Ocean Cruises and can change; your Pavlus advisor will confirm current terms for your specific sailing before you book.

Viking Ocean Cruises Questions, Answered

What makes Viking Ocean different from other cruise lines?

Viking Ocean Cruises is built around destination-focused, adults-only travel aboard an intimate, modern fleet. Every Viking ocean ship carries approximately 930 guests — small enough for a personal feel, yet large enough for world-class dining, a full spa, two pools, and extensive cultural enrichment programming. Key distinctions include:

  • No children under 18 — All guests must be 18 or older on embarkation day
  • Inclusive value — Fares include one guided shore excursion per port, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and port taxes (additional excursions are available for an extra fee)
  • Cultural enrichment — Daily lectures, destination briefings, and performances are standard on every voyage
  • No casino — Viking ships do not have casinos, keeping the atmosphere quiet and sophisticated
As a Pavlus Travel partner, we have deep familiarity with Viking’s full itinerary lineup and can match you to the sailing that best fits your travel style and interests.
Can children travel with Viking?

All guests must be 18 years old on or before the day they are scheduled to embark on their cruise. Viking does not maintain facilities or services on board for younger individuals.

What is the single supplement?

On occasion, Viking will make special solo traveler fares available. Please check back for pricing updates. With Viking Inclusive Value, Viking offers great value every day in a category that will fit all your travel needs. Ask your Pavlus advisor — we monitor Viking solo promotions closely and can alert you when reduced single supplements become available.

Can I take a virtual tour of the ship? Is there a deck plan?

Yes. You can explore your Viking ship by taking a virtual 360° tour of the ship’s public spaces and staterooms on Viking’s website. Additionally, detailed deck plans and stateroom layouts for the entire fleet are available on each ship’s page at vikingcruises.com.

Can I make payments toward my booking balance in My Viking Journey?

You can make secure payments on the Booking Payments tab in the My Viking Journey portal under the Payments & Cart section. Viking accepts all major credit cards and also offers an additional discount on payments made with echeck, an electronic debit to your checking account.

Note: guests cannot make payments towards their booking balance on My Viking Journey for travel agency bookings.

See all Viking Ocean Cruises FAQs →

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