Travel + Leisure Again Names Viking "World's Best" In 2018 Awards

LOS ANGELES, July 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel + Leisure readers have again voted Viking® (www.vikingcruises.com) to the top of its categories in the 2018 World's Best Awards, which were announced today by the publication. Viking was named the #1 Ocean Cruise Line for ships carrying 600–2,199 guests and one of the World's Best River Cruise Lines. In the three years since the launch of Viking's ocean cruises in 2015, the company has been named a #1 Ocean Cruise Line every consecutive year. Viking has also been voted a World's Best River Cruise Line every year since the award's inception in 2011.

Today's milestone comes on the heels of last month's launch of the company's fifth ocean ship, Viking Orion®, and the announcement of the 245-day Viking Ultimate World Cruise, the longest-ever continuous world cruise itinerary. Travel + Leisure is the largest travel magazine brand in the U.S., and since 1995 its readers have been asked to cast their votes for the World's Best in cruising with considerations in the following cruise features: cabins/facilities, food, service itineraries/destinations, excursions/activities and value. Viking will also be featured in the magazine's World's Best issue, which will be on newsstands on July 27; the full results of the awards can be found at www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best.

"We have been offering ocean cruises for three years, and for all three years we have been voted the world's #1 ocean cruise line. To receive such a positive reception so quickly and consistently is unprecedented and a great honor," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "From our beginning, we have set out to do things differently. We focus on the destination, providing what we believe to be a better value than any other cruise line. We want to thank our guests and the readers of Travel + Leisure for embracing the Viking way of travel and for again bestowing upon us two awards in a single year."

Today's announcement from Travel + Leisure adds to an impressive list of recent accolades for Viking. Earlier this year, the company's first three 930-guest sister ships, Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, and Viking Sky® dominated the Cruise Critic® 8^th Annual Cruisers' Choice Awards, receiving 10 First Place honors. Viking's fourth ship, Viking Sun®, which was still in its first months of service, also debuted on the Awards list. All four ships have also been awarded a top rating of five stars by Cruise Critic. In 2017, Viking was voted the Best River Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication's 2017 Readers' Choice Awards. Town & Country also named Viking's ocean cruises "Best for Design" and "Best Overall, Contemporary Luxury" in the magazine's Cruise Awards. It also named Viking's river cruises "Best for Suites" and "Best for Design." And in its 10^th annual Editors' Picks Awards in 2017, Cruise Critic honored Viking with five awards, more than any other river or ocean cruise line. Viking was recognized in the river and luxury ocean categories, with awards that point to key differentiating factors for the brand: Best for First-Timers, Best Enrichment, Best Shore Excursions, Best Spa and Best-Value-for-Money.

Quickly-expanding Viking plans to add seven new river vessels to its fleet in 2019, including six award-winning Viking Longships® and one additional vessel inspired by the Viking Longships and specifically designed for Portugal's Douro River. Viking also is targeting February 2019 to welcome its sixth ocean ship, Viking Jupiter®.

The Viking Difference

Designed for discerning travelers with interests in history, art, music and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests "the thinking person's cruise" as an alternative to mainstream cruises. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destination, with more time in port and more overnights. On board, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is both beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light. With the most al fresco dining opportunities at sea, featuring regional cuisine and always-available American classics, Viking's guests can truly dine in their destination. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences on shore and on board. And only The Viking Way® of exploration provides guests with itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access® experiences.

In addition, Viking offers the best value at sea, with each cruise fare including much more than what competitors offer—an included value of more than $200 per person per day for an average cruise. Every cruise fare includes an outside stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; alternative restaurant dining; Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service.

Booking Details

From now through July 31, 2018, Viking is offering U.S. residents special fares on select 2018, 2019 and 2020 ocean and river cruise itineraries, with additional savings on international air. Call Viking toll-free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel agent.

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About Viking Cruises

Viking was founded in 1997 with the purchase of four ships in Russia and is now the leader in river and small ship ocean cruising. Designed for discerning travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests "the thinking person's cruise" as an alternative to mainstream cruises. In its first three years of operation, Viking has been rated the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure's 2016, 2017 and 2018 "World's Best" Awards. Viking currently operates a fleet of 69 vessels, offering scenic cruising on rivers and oceans around the world. In addition to the Travel + Leisure honors, Viking has also been honored multiple times on Condé Nast Traveler's "Gold List" as well as recognized by Cruise Critic as "Best Overall" Small-Mid size ship in the 2018 Cruisers' Choice Awards, "Best River Cruise Line" and "Best River Itineraries," with the entire Viking Longships® fleet being named "Best New River Ships" in the website's Editors' Picks Awards. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or visit www.vikingcruises.com.

SOURCE Viking Cruises

Related Links

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