Since its founding in 1997, Viking Cruises has set out to transform the cruise industry by focusing on culturally immersive, destination-rich journeys. Today, the company cements its leadership in small-ship travel with a fleet now exceeding ninety vessels—and a bold entrance into the expedition market. In early 2022, Viking welcomed its first purpose-built Polar Class ship, designed for voyages to the planet’s most remote regions. With the recent addition of a second sister ship, the line now boasts two identical 378-guest expedition vessels, bringing the total number of river, ocean and expedition ships to more than 90 worldwide.
This fleet expansion doubles the capacity for guests seeking an intimate cruising experience. Viking’s expedition vessels—each accommodating up to 378 travelers in 189 staterooms—sport ice-strengthened Polar Class 6 hulls, state-of-the-art stabilizers and straight bows to reduce fuel consumption and improve stability. The ships are tailored for shallow-draft access, enabling landings in coastal wilds from the Great Lakes of North America to the ice-studded shores of Antarctica. These additions underscore Viking’s strategy to deepen its destination reach and enrich its signature shore-based programming.
In July 2025, Viking launches a suite of new Polar expeditions, spanning 13- to 27-day itineraries that explore Arctic Canada and Greenland’s rugged fjords. Guests can trace the path of migrating beluga and bowhead whales, witness iceberg calving in Scoresby Sund and meet Inuit artisans in remote coastal villages. In the opposite hemisphere, Antarctica voyages depart from Ushuaia, charting courses through the Drake Passage to encounter penguin colonies in Wilhelmina Bay and historic huts at Damoy Point. Meanwhile, a second annual Great Lakes season connects Milwaukee, Toronto and Thunder Bay, showcasing North America’s freshwater wonders with the most modern vessels ever to visit these ports.
What sets Viking apart is its commitment to authentic cultural immersion. Shore excursions are crafted in small groups, guided by local experts and tailored to meaningful engagement. Travelers may join Inuit hunters on ice-fishing expeditions, take hands-on workshops with Greenlandic throat singers or explore UNESCO World Heritage sites with esteemed archaeologists. In Europe, river cruises wind through medieval towns along the Danube and Rhine, pausing for vineyard tastings with vintners in Austria and culinary tours of Provence’s lavender-scented markets. Each excursion is designed not just to show a destination, but to foster a genuine connection.
Aboard Viking’s expedition ships, enrichment extends beyond the shore. Each vessel carries a team of naturalists, historians and scientists who lead day-long seminars—from on-deck wildlife spotting to-depth geology lectures. Viking’s submersible dive program offers guests the rare chance to descend beneath the ice to observe elusive sea creatures; recent voyages documented the first recorded sightings of giant phantom jellyfish, as noted by participating researchers. Onboard laboratories facilitate environmental DNA sampling, allowing passengers to contribute real-time data to scientific studies of plankton and marine biodiversity.
Guest well-being and comfort remain paramount. All-veranda staterooms provide panoramic views, while Nordic-inspired décor and amenities—Sami-style saunas, spa therapies using Nordic ingredients and locally sourced menus—reinforce the immersive ethos. Social spaces, including observation lounges and upper-deck walking tracks, create opportunities for informal gatherings and shared discoveries. Dining venues highlight regional specialties, from Scandinavian open-sandwich buffets to Argentine-influenced grills on Antarctic routes.
Industry accolades continue to pour in. Viking has accumulated more than 450 travel awards, most recently earning top honors in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for river, ocean and expedition categories. These distinctions mark Viking as the first company to achieve a three-category sweep in consecutive years—further evidence of its pioneering approach to luxury-meets-adventure cruising.
Looking ahead, Viking remains on course for innovation and sustainable growth. Future vessels will feature hybrid propulsion systems and hydrogen-ready designs to reduce carbon footprints. New itineraries are in development for again-off-the-beaten-path regions like the Russian Far East and the sub-Antarctic islands of Macquarie and South Georgia. The line also plans to expand its loyalty program with upgraded partner experiences ashore, from boutique-hotel stays to curated cultural festivals.
In an era where today’s travelers crave deeper, more personalized connections with the world’s cultures and ecosystems, Viking Cruises has emerged as a trailblazer. By combining an award-winning fleet of over 90 sleek vessels, purpose-built expedition ships and a steadfast focus on immersive learning, it offers journeys that go beyond sightseeing. For guests—whether first-time explorers or seasoned adventurers—Viking provides a platform to engage, discover and transform, voyage after unforgettable voyage.
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