Viking Announces New Cruise Extensions; 2026 Bookings Open
If you are interested in booking a Viking cruise, act fast! 2024 is mostly sold out, and 2025 is filling up fast. Viking has already released its 2026 ocean voyages for booking – and that includes sailings on its newest ship. Plus, the cruise line has announced new pre- and post-cruise extensions that let you immerse yourself for longer in your cruise destination.
Contact us now for more information about booking your next Viking cruise!
Viking Vesta is scheduled to join the cruise line’s ocean fleet in July, 2025. The 998-guest sister ship will spend her inaugural season sailing popular itineraries in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia.
With more than 80 ocean itineraries offered, examples of the most popular voyages include:
- Viking Homelands (15 days; Stockholm—Bergen) – Sail historic waters and discover more of Scandinavia with overnights in Stockholm, Oslo and scenic Bergen. See charming Ålborg and Gdańsk, and visit the grand cities of Berlin and Copenhagen. Witness breathtaking scenery from your ship as she glides through majestic Norwegian fjords in the legendary homelands of the Vikings.
- Iconic Western Mediterranean(8 days; Barcelona—Rome) – France’s famed southern coast and Italy’s Renaissance treasures take center stage on this eight-day Mediterranean sojourn. Immerse yourself in Catalonian and Tuscan art, architecture and history during overnights in Barcelona and Tuscany. In the South of France, call on historic Montpellier and picturesque Marseille, and visit Monte Carlo, Monaco’s glamorous city by the sea.
- Empires of the Mediterranean (10 days; Venice—Athens) – Ten days. Nine magnificent destinations. One epic journey. Sail the Adriatic and Aegean, taking in all the riches of this fabled region. On an exploration bookended by iconic Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar and Dubrovnik, and admire the famed whitewashed villages of Santorini. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and be captivated by Koper, the gateway to picturesque Slovenia.
- British Isles Explorer(15 days; Bergen—London) – Immerse yourself in the British Isles with overnight stays in Bergen, Norway, and Greenwich, England. Discover the legendary Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland and its capital, Edinburgh. Visit the Shetland and Orkney Islands, and contrast modern Belfast with traditional Dublin. Witness Welsh culture in Snowdonia. In England, visit maritime Liverpool, see historic Dover and enjoy a tour of London.
- West Indies Explorer (11 days; San Juan roundtrip) – Set sail on a roundtrip voyage from San Juan to explore the colorful Caribbean. Start deep in the heart of this tropical paradise and avoid the long sea days associated with most Caribbean cruises—allowing you to visit more ports and spend more time discovering rich island cultures. Immerse yourself in the British, French and Dutch cultures of the Lesser Antilles as you cruise azure waters from Tortola and St. Lucia to Dominica, St. Martin and St. Thomas.
NEW PRE- AND POST-CRUISE EXTENSIONS
Viking is also introducing 6 new immersive pre- and post-cruise extensions beginning in 2024 and 2025.
The new, fully guided, three-night extensions are offered in the iconic cities of Barcelona, Istanbul, London, Rome, Stockholm and Venice and feature Viking’s signature “Privileged Access” to museums, local cuisine for lunches and dinners, market visits and cooking classes—as well as more time to personalize the journey with optional excursions.
The new extensions include:
- Best of Barcelona– Explore Cataluña’s capital, the beautiful city of Barcelona. Admire views from atop Montserrat, revel in the spectacle of La Sagrada Familia and roam the storied Gothic Quarter. Additionally, enjoy time at your leisure or join fellow travelers for optional excursions to further immerse in local culture.
- Best of Istanbul– Immerse yourself in the history of the Ottoman Empire with visits to the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Explore the expansive Grand Bazaar and a spice market, and savor Turkish culinary delights at a Michelin Star restaurant and farm-to-table experience in an idyllic setting.
- Best of London– Explore the iconic sites of London and enjoy Privileged Access experiences at the British Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Tantalize your taste buds at Borough Market with TV chef and culinary author, Celia Brooks, and spend an evening at the Tower of London as you witness a centuries-old ceremony.
- Best of Rome– Explore more of Rome, the “Eternal City,” during an extended stay. Stroll narrow streets and vibrant piazzas, with every corner of the city revealing a piece of history. Visit Vatican City and its museums, see the sights of ancient Rome and learn the art of making pasta the Italian way.
- Best of Stockholm – Immerse in the vibrant culture and natural beauty of Stockholm. Admire the art gracing its subway stations and historic City Hall, cruise its scenic archipelago and savor a taste of traditional cuisine at Östermalmshallen. Optional excursions offer you a chance to explore more of Sweden’s elegant capital city.
- Best of Venice – Experience Venice as few do, avoiding the crowds for an intimate look at this famous city. Cruise the Grand Canal at night, take a morning stroll through the bustling Rialto Fish Market and admire historic landmarks around iconic St. Mark’s Square after hours during this unforgettable sojourn.
More About Viking
Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for “The Thinking Person”.
He adds, “We have always done things a bit differently. At Viking, we are contrarians. We design travel experiences for thinking people, with no children and no casinos.”
Viking has been rated at the top of its categories for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors.
***Terms & Conditions apply; ask us for full itinerary and pricing details.
Image courtesy of Viking.
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Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
