WORLD’S BEST AWARDS – 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

For the fourth year in a row, Viking was named the #1 Ocean Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure readers in the World’s Best Awards 2019. This award reinforces Viking’s position as a formidable industry leader.

Viking won the same Ocean Cruise Line award in 2016, 2017 and 2018 overtaking the spot previously held by a luxury cruise line for 20 years. Viking is immensely proud of receiving this honor every single year since the launch of Viking’s ocean cruises in 2015.

CRUISERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

In 2019, the Viking ocean fleet swept the 9th Annual Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards with Viking Sky, Viking Star, Viking Sun and Viking Orion taking top honors in 10 out of 12 ocean categories.

Viking Sky received six first place awards within the small- to mid-size ship group: Best Overall Ship, Best Cabins, Best Dining, Best for Public Rooms, Best Service and Best Value-for-Money. Viking Sky also beat ships of all sizes to receive a seventh first place award as Best for First-Timers. Viking Orion was awarded First Place as Best for Fitness & Recreation; Viking Sun was awarded First Place for Best Entertainment; and Viking Star was awarded First Place for Best Shore Excursions. The Cruisers’ Choice Awards name the best cruise ships in the world, based solely on ratings submitted with member reviews published on the Cruise Critic website.

EDITORS’ PICKS AWARDS – 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

In 2018, the international team of Cruise Critic editors awarded more honors to Viking than any other cruise line. Viking led the luxury ocean cruise category with three prestigious awards—including “Best Luxury Value for Money,” “Best Luxury Spa” and the highly coveted “Best New Luxury Ship” for Viking Orion. Cruise Critic notes that on top of fare inclusions, “Viking cruisers benefit from smartly designed cabins; gorgeous top-deck, all-weather hangouts; and destination-intensive itineraries.”

Cruise Critic editors have honored Viking ocean cruises every year since the debut of our first ship, Viking Star, in 2015. That year Viking Star was named the “Best New Ocean Ship,” with editors noting, “The ship is so beautifully designed—with terrific al fresco restaurants, a beautiful pool area, a superb spa and the two-level Explorers’ observation lounge—that you’ll be hard-pressed to go ashore.”

EDITOR RATING: 5 STARS – 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

Cruise Critic’s team of expert editors awarded Viking’s entire fleet of ocean ships—Viking Jupiter (2019), Viking Orion (2018), Viking Sun (2017), Viking Sky (2017), Viking Sea (2016) and Viking Star (2015) —with their highest rating: 5 stars. They stated that Viking Sea “is a stunning vessel that seamlessly integrates comfort and modern, Scandinavian style. The ship’s small size means it rarely feels busy and is able to get into ports bigger ships can’t reach.” About Viking Star they noted her to be “one of cruising’s most beautiful small ships.”

CRUISERS’ CHOICE DESTINATION AWARDS – 2018

In 2018, Viking swept the small ship cruise line category, winning Best Cruise Line for the following destinations: the Baltic and Scandinavia, western Mediterranean, the British Isles and Western Europe, and western Caribbean and Riviera Maya.

WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES – 2018

Viking Orion was named one of the World’s Best Places to Stay for 2018. Highlighting an “out-of-this-world experience”, TIME praises Viking Orion’s onboard planetarium (the most advanced on an ocean ship) as well as onboard lectures on astronomy and space exploration led by resident astronomer Howard Parkin.

TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 2018

Viking received three first place honors in the 2018 AFAR Travelers’ Choice Awards. Named “Best Cruise Line” in its category, “Best Mediterranean Cruise Line” and “Best Northern Europe Cruise Line,” Viking was chosen for its “luxurious” amenities, in-depth cultural experiences and picturesque itineraries.

#1 SHIP – 2017, 2016

In its Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 edition, Berlitz rated Viking Sea first in her category, noting her “many elegant touches” and “excellent inclusive value.” This year, Viking Star, which was rated highest in her category in 2016, earned second place behind her sister ship Viking Sea.

10BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

In 2019, Viking Sea was proudly named “Best Small Ship” with Viking Sky also taking top honors in the same category. Additionally, Viking was named a “Top 10” ocean cruise line for the fourth year in a row and both Viking Star and Viking Sea were recognized in the “Top 10” for “Best Cruise Ship for Dining.” Nominated by a panel of travel experts and voted on by travelers, Viking was recognized for its “destination-focused itineraries,” “top-notch service,” and well-appointed, all-veranda staterooms.

CRUISE AWARDS – 2017, 2016

Viking received two honors in the 2017 Town & Country Cruise Awards. Viking Star, Viking Sea, Viking Sky and Viking Sun were recognized in the “Best Aboard” category stating “the spas on all four ships are the most beautiful at sea”. Viking was also recognized in “Best Sports Marinas” for its destinations.

In the 2016 Town & Country Cruise Awards, Viking Star and Viking Sea were awarded “Best Overall Contemporary Luxury Cruise Line” and “Best for Design Contemporary Luxury Cruise Line.” Town & Country comments, “The Viking ocean design philosophy holds that ships should be elegant and comfortable and never overwhelm the real purpose of cruising: to see the world.”

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE – 2018, 2017

In 2018, Viking was recognized for the second consecutive year as the first and only cruise line to win both rivers and oceans categories in the prestigious luxury trade awards: Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Company (for the second time) and Best Luxury River Cruise Company (for the fifth time).

BEST IN TRAVEL – 2017

Viking was named “Best Ocean Cruise Line” in its class by Money magazine for exceeding expectations in cost, cleanliness, customer satisfaction and overall value.

FAN AWARDS – 2017

Cruise Fever fans named Viking “Best Luxury Cruise Line” in the 2017 Cruise Fever Fan Awards.

WORLD’S BEST CRUISES – 2016

Viking was honored to be named one of Fodor’s Travel “World’s Best Cruises for 2016.” Fodor’s Travel recognized Viking Star and Viking Sea for the “infinity pool off the stern, Snow Grotto spa room, luminous Wintergarden tearoom and all-balcony staterooms.”

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AWARDS – 2016

Viking Star was named for the first time as “Best New Breakout Ship” in the annual Porthole Cruise Editor-in-Chief Awards.

READER’S CHOICE AWARDS – 2015

Viking Star was honored for the first time as “Best Medium-Sized Ship” (500-2,000 guests) in the 17th annual Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards.

BEST OF YEAR AWARDS – 2015

The preeminent design competition – hosted by the industry-leading publication – celebrates superior interior design projects and products. Viking Star was honored in the 2015 edition, with the Living Room, Wintergarden and Explorers’ Lounge receiving special nods for their unique and stunning design.

BEST NEW LUXURY CRUISES – 2015

In a roundup of the most luxurious and design-forward vessels sailing today, Viking Star took top billing.

BEST MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE – 2015

Rated among its best cruises of 2015, the Travel Channel honored Viking with “Best Mediterranean Cruise.” The cable network also recognized Viking for “living up to the reputation of its acclaimed sister line while offering perks all its own.”