November 21, 2025 — Nothing could wipe the smile off Viking founder, chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen’s face last week in Basel, Switzerland — not a sudden mid-ceremony burst of rain or even a premature bottle smash on the hull of the nearly finished Viking Dagur — as the cruise brand he started 28 years ago achieved the major milestone of becoming the first line to amass a 100-ship fleet.
October 27, 2025 — "We had a vision that we should establish a serious cruise line for serious people." Viking CEO Tor Hagen on their no-kids cruise policy.
October 22, 2025 — By one measure, at least, Viking now rules the cruise world. The fast-growing cruise brand officially welcomed nine new ships to its fleet on Tuesday during an upbeat naming ceremony in Basel, Switzerland, bringing its total to 103. The addition of the new vessels, all designed for river cruising, puts Viking firmly ahead of cruise giant Carnival Corporation for the title of the cruise company with the most ships.
October 22, 2025 — With a push of a button and a smash of Norwegian aquavit, Viking named its 100th ship. It was one of nine river vessels Viking welcomed into its fleet on Oct. 21, in ceremonies across six countries and three continents. The company now has 100-plus ships across its river, ocean and expedition categories. Viking is known for its big, multi-ship naming ceremonies. In 2014 Viking broke its own Guinness World Record when it christened 16 ships in a 24-hour period -- and then inaugurated two more in Portugal.
October 21, 2025 — Viking Holdings CEO Torstein Hagen joins ‘Mad Money’ host Jim Cramer to discuss the milestone of naming the 100th ship, the growth of their ocean business, the strength of the consumer, and more.
September 3, 2025 — Viking executives say the company’s strictness on what its vacations will and will not be helps keep ships full in the face of new competition in the river space and a sea of larger, kid-friendly boats teeming with entertainment and rides. Guests on Viking ships attend lectures about their trip’s destinations from resident historians and listen to classical music. Rather than pool parties and waterslides, a Viking cruiser steps into quieter pools and snow grottos, small glass-enclosed rooms filled with man-made snow. “There are very successful floating entertainment palaces,” said Chief Executive Tor Hagen, referring to other cruise operators. “We are really a place where we take grown-ups to interesting places, where they can continue to educate themselves.”
June 26, 2025 — I recently came back from sailing the Great Lakes on Viking’s unique Niagara & the Great Lakes expedition cruise itinerary, which began in Milwaukee, sailing four of the five Great Lakes and traversing the historic Welland Canal before ending in Toronto, Canada. Along the way, I enjoyed visiting Mackinac Island, Michigan—a historic island that’s been using horses and bicycles instead of cars for over a century—along with Alpena, known for its shipwrecks; Detroit, known for its industry and its cultural and artistic resurgence; Point Pelee, a Canadian National Park and the southernmost tip of Canada; and scenic Niagara Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders.
April 30, 2025 — Viking stands out as a leader in balancing luxury with genuine sustainability. As a frontrunner in the clean maritime travel sector, Viking has set the standard by ensuring all of its ocean liners have minimal environmental impact and expeditions that prioritize preservation.
March 5, 2025 — On this adults-only cruise line, choose between river, ocean, and expedition vessels. Viking ships sail all seven continents. Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris explore the poles but also sail Niagara, the Great Lakes, and Chilean fjords. While categorized as upper premium, Viking’s ocean and expedition fleet includes many amenities, such as one shore excursion per port, all dining, afternoon tea, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, spa Thermal Suite access, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service.
February 21, 2025 — Viking began studying eDNA in part because of the pandemic. The company initially required guests to take daily polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19, but once that requirement was phased out, the equipment on board its ship Octantis was repurposed to allow for real-time testing of water samples. The cruise company teamed up with NOAA in 2020, and scientists joined Viking's expedition to the Great Lakes in 2022.
February 20, 2025 — This new offering for Viking in 2025 and 2026 will take adventurous travelers on a once-in-a-lifetime journey from the Earth's far north in Greenland all the way to the South Pole in Antarctica. The 87-day cruise sails aboard Viking's 378-guest Polar Class 6 expedition vessels, Viking Octantis (in 2025) and Viking Polaris (in 2026). It features ports of call in 12 countries. Guests along for the extended sailing will explore the remote beauty of Greenland and the icy wilderness areas of the Canadian High Arctic – all the way south to the Chilean fjords and the otherworldly landscapes and surreal beauty of Antarctica.
February 10, 2025 — “It's incredibly inspiring to be part of a program like this that’s open to non-specialist involvement,” said one volunteer, a retired biology teacher aboard the Viking Octantis ship, who continued to say, “Thank you for letting us be a part of the science and explaining so clearly why it matters to the bigger picture."
December 11, 2024 — The experience of visiting Antarctica is so remarkable that most get to do it only once—making your selection of vessel a precious one. Aboard the sleek Viking Octantis, the goal is to get you as close to the continent’s most striking landscapes as possible, without the discomfort one might assume is standard for traversing this unforgiving destination.
November 18, 2024 — When Brandi Revels joined Viking in 2021 as one of the cruise line’s Chief Scientists, she hadn’t really considered what it would mean to live for months at a time on an expedition vessel—she was just enchanted by the research opportunities, educational outreach, and undeniable lure of traveling to some of the farthest reaches of earth. In her role with Viking, she navigates itineraries throughout Antarctica and the Great Lakes, and, in 2025, the Arctic, joining guests for shore excursions and landings, overseeing field research and leading experiments such as the NOAA weather balloon launch, and delivering lectures on everything from geology to paleoclimatology.
November 7, 2024 — In 2024, the former PCR labs aboard Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, as well as the PCR technology itself, were converted into facilities for real-time environmental DNA sequencing: a method that allows scientists to create a full picture of an ecosystem, identifying organisms living there or passing through using just a small sample.
October 2, 2024 — The impact of these programs is evident. In January 2023, Viking published its first scientific paper detailing its expedition team's encounters with the rare giant phantom jellyfish in Antarctica—spotted during submersible dives with guests. In January 2024, the first aerial survey of Antarctica's Astrolabe Island in 40 years, executed on board Viking Octantis in partnership with research watch group Oceanites, revealed a new chinstrap penguin colony on nearby Diaz Rock. Call it an experience worth traveling for.
September 16, 2024 — Drawn to Antarctica again, I chose Viking Polaris as my home base in the Southern Ocean. And while the ship might not offer passengers a true polar plunge, it has the next best thing: a traditional Nordic spa with floor-to-ceiling windows, connecting you with the vast landscapes of the White Continent while you luxuriate. Bliss. I found myself there regularly, cycling through the sauna, ice-cold bucket shower, steam room, and snow grotto—with a little relaxation in the warming cave or the hydrotherapy pool for good measure. But it was the badestamp that stole my heart, lingering in my mind long after I returned home.
September 10, 2024 — Viking’s scientific enrichment program enables a team of working scientists and experts, including ornithologists and glaciologists, to conduct research with guests. Passengers ride in submarines to look for deep-water ocean life or dutifully note the birds they spot while sitting out on the Finse Terrace. For this secretly science-mad citizen, filtering water samples for microplastics in a lab coat was a winning combo of feeling good and doing good. Nothing nerdy about that.
August 25, 2024 — Viking's two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, carry a maximum of 378 passengers, so they fall into the medium-size category. As such, landings are generally limited to one site per day, which creates a more laid-back Antarctica experience — there's plenty of time to enjoy the out-of-this-world spa (my favorite feature is the open-air badestamp, a wooden hot tub) as well as hands-on science demonstrations. But there's a lot to do off the ships, too, as they carry quite a few toys: notably, submersibles.
August 22, 2024 — Viking Holdings Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen joins ‘Mad Money’ host Jim Cramer to talk quarterly results, affordability and pricing, and more.
August 20, 2024 — At The Science Lab, developed in partnership with the University of Cambridge and Akvaplan-niva aquatic research and development institute, guests can learn and participate in research. A weather balloon launch took place during our voyage and guests were invited to watch the event and the incoming live data. Lectures and films in the ship’s theater also brought the region of the lovely Great Lakes to life as Viking Polaris sailed along its mighty waters.
July 15, 2024 — On a recent trip to Antarctica aboard Viking Polaris, I not only discovered the multidimensional allure of the ice — but I also realized that you don’t have to sacrifice amenities for adventure. That’s thanks in large part to Polaris, which was launched in 2022. One of two identical expedition ships from Viking, this 378-passenger vessel has much in common with the nine ocean and 90 river ships of the brand that’s a favorite of Travel + Leisure readers. Aboard this newly constructed expedition ship, the décor is an elegant interpretation of modern Scandinavian style and there are no inside cabins, a particularly important consideration for trips on the sometimes rocky Drake Passage.
July 9, 2024 — Topping the World’s Best Awards in the small-ship category for a second year in a row, Viking’s pair of 189-cabin expedition ships deliver expedition-style cruising with the comforts found on traditional ships. The ships winter in Antarctica, summer in the Great Lakes, and also explore South America, Greenland, and the Northwest Passage. They also do multi-month itineraries such as longitudinal world cruises. Off-ship exploration opportunities caught readers’ attention as did a science focus.
July 1, 2024 — Not so long ago, giant phantom jellyfish were an extremely rare sight, with fewer than 130 known sightings. Then tourists aboard personal submersibles started spotting them near the Antarctic Peninsula. The submersible rides were part of a Viking Expedition trip. Viking Octantis, a luxury cruise vessel, takes thousands of passengers each year through the icy waters of the Southern Ocean to glimpse penguins, seals, and other wildlife. All the majestic scenery and cruise ship amenities come with a healthy dose of science and the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge Antarctic research.
June 27, 2024 — Viking takes science very seriously, and on board were a chief scientist, an ornithologist, a PhD student doing seaweed research, plus historians, geologists, and various other scientists. There were daily lectures on birds, geography, aquatic life, and history of the region. The scientific staff collected myriad samples of water (which, sadly, I was told always contains micro-plastics), phytoplankton, and various other readings that are sent back for analysis.
June 26, 2024 — Our go-to expedition cruise line just keeps getting better. Its two all-new polar-class ships explore the world's most remote destinations (think Antarctica and the Arctic Circle) in a category of comfort, luxury, and elegance that no other adventure cruise can touch.
June 25, 2024 — Whether you cruise with Viking on one of the company’s many 190-passenger river cruise vessels in Europe, on the line’s 930-passenger ocean cruise ships that sail around the world, or on one of its two 378-passenger expedition ships, you’ll be treated to a fine-tuned cruising experience geared strictly to adults. You need to be age 18 and up to get aboard to enjoy the many perks covered in the all-inclusive fares. Those perks consist of shore excursions in every port, free wine and beer, all meals (including numerous restaurant experiences and nightly seafood buffets), engaging lectures hosted by historians and other experts, and Nordic spas complete with hot sauna, steam room, and a chilly snow grotto.
June 24, 2024 — Built in 2022, Viking Polaris is a relative newcomer to expedition cruising in Antarctica, but the ship’s Scandinavian designs and comforts have mastered the art of spoiling guests. Cabins boast plush beds, picture windows that lower with the touch of a button (balconies are pointless in Antarctica) and spa-like bathrooms with large showers and heated floors. Drying closets keep wet gear out of the way while helping ensure it dries in time for the next adventure.
June 22, 2024 — Viking currently has over 60 ships in their fleet that travel all around the world. You can take an iconic Western Mediterranean trip (Barcelona to Rome), a Grand European tour (Budapest to Amsterdam) or a Great Lakes voyage (Toronto to Minnesota). While many of the ships feature pools, restaurants, a library room and theater, most travelers go for the thrilling excursions and even participate in lectures specifically found on the expedition ships (Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris) that are great for the curious scientist or animal lover.
June 10, 2024 — An example of a Viking Local Life experience is learning about the important trade route of the Indigenous Anishinaabe people in Canada’s Georgian Bay. Meanwhile, a Working World experience may involve joining a regional fisherman in Thunder Bay, Canada, and cooking a fresh catch. And the line’s Privileged Access experiences extend to exclusive shore excursions, such as afternoon tea at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel in Michigan. For those wishing to at least dip a toe in more adventurous waters, the above activities are in addition to Viking’s typical expeditionary offerings, which include Zodiac rides to help the expedition team scientists study phytoplankton as it relates to the lakes’ ecosystem; or, in Canada, kayaking in Silver Islet or sub diving in Fathom Five National Marine Park.
May 29, 2024 — I just returned from a week-long voyage on Viking Octantis and looked inside to see what makes this vessel so incredibly unique. As the first expedition ship I sailed on, I was very impressed with its overall design and how it easily blended relaxation and adventure into its onboard elements. Equally impressive is the educational opportunities to learn from the expedition and scientific staff.
May 24, 2024 — Viking has revealed its latest scientific advancement on board Viking Octantis by adding real-time environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing of phytoplankton. With scientific support from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and J. Craig Venter Institute, the PCR lab on board Viking Octantis has been home to scientists contributing to the Genomics at Sea Programme — monitoring the environmental impact on phytoplankton without the need to transport samples to a distant shoreside facility.
May 3, 2024 — The attentive service, elegant accommodations, and delightful culinary offerings onboard the Viking Polaris ensured that every moment of the expedition was imbued with a sense of luxury and refinement. Yet it was the ship's ability to deliver us to the very edges of the untouched wilderness, to facilitate profound connections with the natural world, that made this journey truly extraordinary. When I disembarked the Viking Polaris, I carried with me more than just photographs. I carried a renewed sense of wonder, a deeper appreciation for our planet's most remote and pristine environments, and an unshakeable commitment to their preservation. For an expedition to the Antarctic is not just a journey to the end of the world; it is a journey to the very heart of what makes our world worth saving.
April 8, 2024 — Viking Octantis is a destination unto itself, evoking a sense of intimacy and understated elegance with a neutral colour palette and contemporary Scandinavian design. Think: lichen displays, giant felt birds, cozy leather armchairs and fur throws, and bird songs playing in the bathrooms. Octantis has ceiling-to-floor glass windows in the common spaces and 189 double-occupancy staterooms, all with retractable windows which open from the top down to watch the passing scenery.
March 25, 2024 — Viking might be inspired by Nordic sailors of yore, who explored the world in their bare-bones longships — or the rugged 20th-century explorers whose portraits line the walls of the ship — but Viking Polaris' creature comforts would make all those hardy men and women rethink their travel choices. You won't regret yours if you choose to make this gorgeous little ship your home base for vacation adventure.
March 24, 2024 — The 378-passenger expedition-style cruise ship — from every "Downton Abbey"-loving baby boomer's favorite ocean/river/expedition cruise line Viking — is like the Goldilocks of the South Pole. It's not so big that it can't let guests disembark onto Antarctica's snow-covered shores, nor is it so small that it can't offer creature comforts like spacious cabins, multiple dining venues and that expansive spa. Its interior spaces are well designed, friendly and inviting, while its rugged exterior and ice-strengthened hull enable it to cruise the icy seas at the ends of the earth. In essence, it's "just right."
March 21, 2024 — The Polar Class Viking Octantis features 189 staterooms and holds 387 passengers, so you'll never feel crowded onboard. Many ways to unwind include sitting in the Explorers' Lounge, with its amazing views over the lake, and hitting the pool, sauna, or steam room at the Nordic Spa. The luxurious staterooms offer all the comforts of home, from luxury linens to a large flat-screen TV, plus a floor-to-ceiling heated drying closet and 24-hour complimentary room service.
March 20, 2024 — For active, curious travelers who want to see the world and have perspective-altering experiences, it’s hard to beat Viking. “On the Antarctic Explorer, I set my feet on two continents and had daily experiences that were challenging both mentally and physically—it was definitely a leap for a lot of us to get on a tiny zodiac in choppy waters, go kayaking with icebergs, and walk on shores with shipwrecks and whale bones from the previous century,” says Women’s Health Managing Editor Laura McLaughlin.
March 13, 2024 — While that doesn’t mean it’s wrong to go on a cruise, it does mean that travelers should consider all the factors that go into creating their dream cruise vacation, and consider ways they can create a more positive impact. One easy way to do that is by selecting cruise lines that have scientific partners or research teams on board. That ensures at least some of your travel funds are going to a good cause, and may lead to more discoveries like the one made by Viking and Oceanites.
February 29, 2024 — While many Antarctica cruises can add up to two weeks duration, Viking Cruises offers a 13-day itinerary that’s ideal for a post-wedding extravaganza. The round-trip sailing from Ushuaia provides ample time to cuddle up with your new partner as you prepare for the experience of a lifetime. Days are scheduled around excursions like kayaking through cerulean-frosted icebergs, visiting penguin colonies, and zipping into inlets via zodiac for a better view of seals and animated ice formations; yet, still leaves plenty of time for curling up in the Explorers’ Lounge with your favorite cocktail or dipping in the heated pools at the spa or the aft of the ship.
February 9, 2024 — More evidence that expedition trips are growing in popularity: industry leader Viking jumped into the market in 2022 with sister ships Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Each accommodates 378 guests in 189 staterooms. After their first full year of voyages, the line was voted #1 for expeditions by both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. They currently sail in Antarctica and the Great Lakes, and will begin voyages in the Arctic in 2025.
February 2, 2024 — Under the new itinerary, the Octantis was now bound for Astrolabe Island, a three-mile-wide volcanic mass lying in the Bransfield Strait, with a colony of chinstrap penguins that had not been surveyed since 1987.
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