viking cruises to china

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Experience China’s rich history, scenic beauty and Buddhist heritage on a Viking ocean cruise through Asia. Admire the sparkling waters and picturesque islands of the majestic South China Sea. Discover the vibrant city of Hong Kong, where you can witness the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.

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Viking River Cruises - China Land Tour and Yangtze River Cruise

Visit Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai, plus Sail the Mighty Yangtze River

Have you always wanted to visit China, but its size, language, and complexity of travel arrangements kept you away? Why not take a combination land tour and Yangtze River cruise with Viking River Cruises?

Viking has three land and cruise tours in China. All three programs include hotel stays in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai, plus a Yangtze River cruise on the Viking Emerald. In May 2014, I took the basic 13-day tour, "Imperial Jewels of China", which is described below. The 16-day "Roof of the World" includes everything in the Imperial Jewels tour, but adds on three nights in Lhasa, Tibet. The 18-day "China's Cultural Delights" includes the same hotel stays in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai, but features an 11-day Yangtze River Cruise on the Viking Emerald rather than the 6-day cruise of the other two programs. 

The next ten sections below provide an overview of the "Imperial Jewels of China" land and cruise tour. Be sure to click on the links to see more details on each stopover, the Viking Emerald, and the Yangtze River cruise.

Overview of Land Tour and Yangtze River Cruise

Linda Garrison

China is the 4th largest country in the world, almost as large as the USA. However, its 1.3 billion in population far outnumber the 318 million who live in the United States. This size can make travel around the country challenging. However, with a Viking River Cruises' land and cruise tour, the company skillfully takes care of all the hotel and intra-China flight details, allowing its guests to enjoy the sights, sounds, and cultures of this amazing country. 

The land tour includes tours or visits to the major sights in and around Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. It also includes a 6-day cruise on the Yangtze River between Chongqing and Wuhan, where guests can see some of the Chinese countryside, visit important sites along the way, and pass through the locks of the famous Three Gorges Dam.

Let's look at each of the destinations and sites included on the 13-day Viking River Cruises' "Imperial Jewels of China" cruise tour. Our tour started in Beijing and ended in Shanghai, but the program also runs in reverse.

First Two Days in Beijing

Day one - arrival in beijing.

Most international flights arrive in the afternoon or early evening, so guests have the first night on their own to rest or explore after checking into the hotel. Those who book their air travel with Viking River Cruises are met at the airport and transferred to their hotel.

Our cruise tour was full, with almost 250 participants divided into seven groups, each with a tour leader who stayed with his group the entire 13 days. To avoid overloading the breakfast facilities at a single hotel, Viking used two luxury hotels in Beijing--the Ritz Carlton Financial District and the Kerry Hotel, with three groups at one hotel and four at the other. Each hotel received rave reviews from those who stayed there.

Day Two in Beijing

The touring starts in earnest the next morning. Our first stop was one of China's icons--the Great Wall. Our tour visited the Badaling Hills entrance to the Wall, which is about 40 miles north of Beijing. We had free time to walk some of the Great Wall and to explore the numerous shops lining the road to the entrance.

Leaving the Great Wall, we stopped for lunch and then at the Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs. This mile-long walkway is lined with 15th century pairs of giant animals, men, and mythological creatures.

On the way back to the hotel, we had a photo stop at one of Beijing's newer iconic monuments, the National Olympic Stadium (also called the Bird's Nest), which was built for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

After an excellent dinner at the hotel, our long first day concluded with an optional tour--a performance of the Beijing Opera House. The elaborate costumes, unusual music, and complicated plots easily made up for not being able to understand a word sung.

Days Three and Four in Beijing

Day three in beijing.

Our second full day in China started with a visit to Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing. Covering 100 acres, it is the world's largest public square. Tiananmen Square is also the site of Mao Zedong's tomb and Memorial Hall, and has been the site of public celebrations and rallies for centuries, and many of us remember the pro-democracy demonstrations of 1989.

Next, we used a tunnel to pass under the street dividing Tiananmen Square from the Forbidden City, which is now called the Palace Museum. It is completely paved with bricks and covers 175 acres. Groups enter through the gate nearest Tiananmen Square, walk through the site taking time to peek inside some of the many palaces and structures, and exit out the back gate, where the buses are waiting.

After lunch, many of us did an optional tour to the Summer Palace on the outskirts of Beijing. This 700-acre garden and complex of palaces and other structures was used by the emperor and royal family as a summer retreat, with Empress Dowager Cixi being responsible for the current design. A tour of this site along with that of the Forbidden City certainly demonstrates how well the members of royal dynasties lived in China.

Although Viking includes all meals in its tour, many of us chose an optional dinner at a famous Peking duck restaurant rather than the included dinner at a local restaurant. Preparation of this dish is time consuming and it tasted better than any duck I've ever had.

Day Four--Beijing and Travel to Xi'an

Our last day in Beijing, we left the checked baggage outside the hotel room at the appointed hour, and then identified it before it was loaded in the storage area under the bus. The baggage was checked as a group and we didn't see our checked bags until the hotel in Xi'an late that afternoon.

Before leaving Beijing, we visited one of the city's old bell towers, watched two men play a popular shuttlecock game, and toured one of the old hutongs in a rickshaw pedicab. While in the hutong, we visited the home of one of the residents and had time to enjoy a traditional tea ceremony at a local tea house.

Before heading to the airport, we had a box lunch on the bus. Since our tour leader checked us in and distributed all the boarding passes, all we had to do was clear security, board the plane and fly off to our next stop, Xi'an.

Xi'an - Terra Cotta Warriors

Xi'an was the capital city for 12 Chinese dynasties, and its history goes back over 3000 years. Xi'an was also the starting point of the famous Silk Road, a trading route that linked China with Europe. This Silk Road brought wealth and a mix of different cultures to Xi'an that continues even today,

After flying to Xi'an from Beijing, we ate dinner before going to the hotel at the "best dumpling restaurant" in Xian, named Defachang Dumpling Restaurant. Everyone at our table for 10 enjoyed the meal. We had appetizers of chicken on a stick, duck, cucumbers in vinegar with hot peppers, cabbage salad, tofu, soup, onions and mushrooms, and a noodle dish. After eating the appetizers, the Chinese dumplings started rolling out--one batch at a time--until we all had a taste of a dozen different types--sausage, ham, pork, veggies, shrimp, pickled cabbage (like kimchi), bamboo shoots and tomatoes, mushroom and chicken, duck, spicy pork, and spicy chicken. Great fun and delicious.

Leaving the restaurant, we checked into the Hilton Hotel downtown. Some of the other groups stayed at the Crowne Plaza. Both hotels were in the old downtown area of Xi'an.

Day Five - Full Day in Xi'an

We left the hotel early in the morning to make the 30-mile drive to the site where farmers found the terra cotta warriors in 1974. This site is the primary reason most people travel to Xi'an. Although we spent the entire morning exploring the three areas where warriors were discovered, plus the museum, I think most of us could have stared longer at these amazing life-sized figures, each of which has a unique face.

The Viking groups left the terra cotta warriors about noontime, and the buses stopped nearby for a nice lunch before returning to the city. The restaurant was on the third floor of a retail building that housed a studio that made replica terra cotta figures in all sizes on the ground floor and lacquered furniture on the second floor. It was fun to shop, and the meal was delicious, especially the cooked-to-order noodles.

Xi'an - Old City Walls, Dinner Show, and Museum

Returning to the hotel after a late lunch, we had free time to explore the old city walls and the historic inner city. That evening, many of us went to an optional (additional cost) Tang dynasty dinner show while the rest of the group enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant. On the way back to the hotel, we loved seeing the city at night, especially the colorfully illuminated Bell Tower.

Day Six - Shaanxi History Museum in Xi'an and Flight to Chongqing

Before we flew from Xi'an to Chongqing, our group stopped at the Shaanxi History Museum, one of China's national Museums. The 300,000 piece collection was varied, including pieces from neolithic period up through the Tang and pre-Ming periods. Those of you who have been subjected to airport food might be surprised to learn that we had a delicious meal at a Xi'an airport restaurant. All the food was tasty, and the servers just kept bringing it out. Our flight to Chongqing left right on time (about 2 pm), and we landed about 4 pm.

Boarding the Viking Emerald in Chongqing

Day six - chongqing, pandas and boarding the viking emerald.

Chongqing has China's largest metropolitan administrative area, with over 32 million residents. (Shanghai has about 25 million in its administrative area and New York City has about 23 million.)

After boarding the bus at the airport, we rode through the mountainous city (no bicycles here) for about an hour, passing mile after mile of high-rise apartment and office buildings. The city sits on a peninsula, with the Yangtze River on one side and the Jialing River on the other, so there are lots of bridges.

Chonqqing is known as one of China's three "furnaces" (along with Wuhan and Nanjing) due to its stifling summer humidity along with massive pollution. It looks very foggy, but the heavy air is mostly smog.

Our first stop was at the Chonqing Zoo, where we arrived about 5:30, which was 30 minutes after it closed. No problem. They let the three buses of us in, and we headed for the panda exhibit. The zoo had red lesser pandas and the giant pandas we are more familiar with. The lesser pandas are red with black markings, but look like very large racoons. There were about six in one large enclosure with a moat separating us--no cages. I think they had four of the giant pandas, each in its own area (also with a moat). I had almost forgotten how unsocial they are, preferring to be alone with their bamboo.

We got a great look at three of the pandas, and spent about 30 minutes at the panda exhibit watching them eat their bamboo dinner and walk around their individual enclosures. I had seen pandas before at the Atlanta and Washington, DC zoos, but it was really special seeing them at their homeland.

Leaving the zoo, we got to the Viking Emerald about 6:45 pm. May was not the high water season, so we had to go down a whole bunch of steps and walk a gangway about 100 yards over the mud to reach the ship. However, one advantage of small ships is the lack of lines to board, so we were in our cabin less than five minutes after stepping on the ship. Our bags arrived soon after.

Photo Tour of the Viking Emerald

The Viking Emerald is a 256-passenger ship with six decks. All the cabins and suites have a private balcony. Click on the links below to see and learn more about the different venues on this lovely Yangtze River cruise ship

• Reception Area
• Dining Room
• Emerald Bar
• Observation Lounge
• Fitness Center
• Balcony Cabin

On the Yangtze River with Viking Cruises

Day 6 - sailaway from chongqing.

The Viking Emerald was docked in downtown Chongqing, and when the ship sailed away about 10 pm, many of us gathered outdoors on the top deck to watch the gorgeous city lights as we passed under some of the spectacular contemporary bridges. Our Yangtze cruise ship was away!

Day 7 - Shibaozhai Temple

The next day, fog on the river delayed our arrival at the Shibaozhai Temple near Zhongxian. However, after six very busy days in Beijing and Xi'an, we were all happy to have a day to relax on the ship. In the late afternoon, the Viking Emerald docked, and we walked ashore with a local guide.

The Shibaozhai Temple sits on a cliff overlooking the town of Zhongxian. Much of the town was submerged when the Three Gorges Dam caused the river to rise, and a large dam was built around the Temple to protect it from the rising waters. Visitors now walk through the town and across a high swinging pedestrian bridge to reach the Shibaozhai Temple.

It's quite interesting to climb up in the 12-story pavilion and see the Chinese architecture of the structure. After the tour, we had plenty of time to shop on the walk back to the ship before dinner.

Day 8 - New Wushan and the Lesser Three Gorges

A highlight of any Yangtze River cruise is sailing through the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and the Lesser Three Gorges of the Daning River, which is a tributary of the Yangtze. Our ship sailed through the first of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze soon after breakfast. It was amazing and a promise of things to come later in the morning.

Although the Viking Emerald is a small ship, it's not small enough to go very far up the Daning, so all of us boarded a day boat at New Wushan to make the trek up the Daning to see the Lesser Three Gorges. This day boat had covered seating for everyone, a snack bar, and a bathroom, so it was comfortable for a morning tour.

The Lesser Three Gorges are as spectacular as advertised, with towering cliffs on either side of the river, and rocks and trees covering the hillsides. Our boat ride only lasted until lunch time, and we returned to the Viking Emerald to eat and then sail through the second of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze.

More Time on the Yangtze with Viking River Cruises

Day 9 - three gorges dam.

The Three Gorges Dam is one of the engineering marvels of the 21st century. This huge lock and dam are interesting to see from the river and sail through, but we also went ashore to view the complex from a huge visitor center area on a hill overlooking the area.

In the afternoon, we sailed through the last of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze and entered into a less mountainous region of China.

Day 10 - Visit to the Jing Zhou School

Viking River Cruises sponsors three schools along the Yangtze, and guests on the Viking Emerald get to visit one of the schools while on the cruise near Jing Zhou, an industrial city of "only" about a million residents

It was fun for the students to practice their English and for us to see the classrooms and to interact with the children.

That afternoon, we continued sailing towards Wuhan, and many of us attended another educational lecture on China, the last of several we enjoyed while onboard.

Day 11 - Wuhan and Flight to Shanghai

Our Yangtze River Cruise was over way too soon, and we disembarked the next morning. Before flying to Shanghai, we had time to visit the famous Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan.

This museum has many interesting exhibits, but is famous for the artifacts found in the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng who died in 433 BC, but whose tomb was not opened until 1978. Thousands of items were removed, including his coffin and those of about two dozen young women that scientists conclude were concubines who accompanied him to the next life. The set of ancient bronze bells are another iconic symbol of China, and we viewed the originals and enjoyed a musical concert using a set of replicas.

We had a box lunch on the bus while driving to the airport. Next stop, Shanghai.

Two Nights and a Day in Shanghai

Our Viking River cruise tour ended with two nights in Shanghai. On the drive into the city, we stopped for a short walk along The Bund, which still retains the look of colonial Shanghai. The day was sunny and clear, and we had spectacular views of the modern Pudongsection of Shanghai on the opposite side of the river.

As in the other cities, our hotel was luxurious. Our group stayed at the Shangri-la Jing'an, which was located on West Nanjing Road in a large complex of buildings that included a huge indoor shopping mall and easy access to the excellent Shanghai subway system. The hotel rooms were large, and all were above the 30th floor with amazing views of the city. Some of the other groups stayed at the Westin Hotel, which was just a short walk from The Bund and very nice.

We enjoyed an excellent dinner at our hotel and then some of us returned to The Bund to see what it looked like after dark.

Day 12 - A Full Day in Shanghai

Our first stop the next morning was at the Yuyuan Gardens and adjacent shopping bazaar. The gardens date back to the 16th century and are a peaceful example of a typical Chinese garden.

Leaving the gardens and bazaar, we stopped for lunch at a Mongolian restaurant that had a retail area on the second floor with some gorgeous examples of Chinese embroidery. Like other time-consuming handicraft artwork, this one is becoming a lost art since most young women are not interested in spending hundreds of hours on intricate embroidery pieces. Like Oriental rugs, many of the embroidery pieces sell for thousands of dollars, but often take almost a whole year to complete. How many of us would sew or weave everyday for a year to make a piece that would only bring less than $10,000?

After lunch, we visited the wonderful Shanghai Museum, with its diverse exhibits covering thousands of years of Chinese history. Our long day in Shanghai ended with an included dinner and the opportunity to experience the memorable Chinese acrobat show. It was a perfect ending to a trip of a lifetime visit to China with Viking River Cruises.

Day 13 - Time to Go Home (or not)

Most of our fellow travelers left the next day to fly home, but some did either the escorted 4-night Viking extension to Guilin and Hong Kong or stayed an additional two nights in Shanghai in order to have free time in the city and the chance to visit the nearby city of Suzhou with a guide.

Summary and Closing Thoughts

Our time in China ended all too soon. Everyone I spoke with in the other groups thought they had the best tour leader (although we all knew in David's group that we had the best one). This speaks well for the quality of the people Viking has selected to lead and manage their cruise tours.

The hotels, ship, and tour organization were exceptional, with no time wasted in airports or visiting the many different sites. I felt like our valuable time was spent doing exactly what we all wanted--to experience as many of the highlights in China as we could in only two weeks. The team at Viking River Cruises met or exceeded the expectations we had for every part of this program.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary cruise and hotel accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.

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China Merchants Viking Cruises Launching New Itineraries in 2023

• January 27, 2023

After first launching service in 2021 , China Merchants Viking Cruises is ready to launch new itineraries this year.

The Chinese brand – which is a joint venture between Viking Cruises and China Merchants – is debuting two new cruises in 2023.

Named Charming South China Sea Journey, the first new itinerary sails roundtrip from Shenzhen and includes visits to two destinations in Southern China. In addition to Sanya, the seven-night cruise also sails to the Hailing Island before returning to its homeport.

Located on southwestern coast of Yangjiang City, the island offers China’s first underwater archeological museum, as well as options of ecological and humanistic tours.

Also new is the seven-night Southeast Coast Cultural Journey itinerary. The one-way voyage sails from Shenzhen to Shanghai and features visits to two additional destinations in the Chinese mainland: Xiamen and Zhoushan.

Also operating on the opposite way, the cruise is said to offer guests the opportunity to discover the art, culture and scenery of the region.

One of the highlights of the itinerary, Zhoushan, is home to the Mount Putuo, where several prominent Buddhist temples are located. The seaside town is also said to be famous for its seafood, with an active population of fisherman.

Operating the ex-Viking Sun, China Merchants Viking Cruises is said to have offered over 75 cruises since launching service in October 2021.

At the time, the 930-guest passenger vessel became the first cruise ship to resume commercial voyages with guests in China.

Now flying the Chinese flag, the luxury vessel – which was formerly operated by Viking Ocean Cruises – was renamed Zhao Shang Yi Dun before entering service in Asia .

Combining European and Chinese elements, the ship is set to bring guests cultural and artistic entertainment programs, as well as customized food and beverage experiences and more.

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Viking Cruises Announces Voyages To China

Today, Viking Cruises has announced three new itineraries to provide guests exclusive access to China in 2024! The new voyages range from 10 to 20 days and explore cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

The new  Viking Yi Dun  voyages will sail from September to November and focus on the foreign market, offering domestic sailings in China. Each voyage will showcase The Viking Way of exploration, providing immersive experiences such as lectures, Chinese-inspired cuisine, and destination experts to introduce guests to China’s people, history, and culture.

“We are proud that Viking will be the first to operate domestic sailings in China for international travelers. Our guests are curious travelers who are interested in experiences that broaden their mind—and China, with one of the richest cultures in the world, has been inspiring travelers for centuries,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “For more than 15 years, our Yangtze River voyages were among our highest-rated itineraries. We brought guests to China’s Yangtze River, to Beijing, to the Great Wall, to the Terra Cotta Warriors and to many other iconic places in this captivating nation. We introduced the real China to our guests, and visiting local school children was always a particular highlight. Now, we are delighted to offer such encounters once again with new voyages to a destination that never ceases to capture the imagination.”

MORE ABOUT THE ITINERARIES

Wonders of China:  A 20-day cruisetour covers China’s major highlights, including experiences like visiting a Tibetan family, walking on the Great Wall, and witnessing the Terra Cotta Warriors. Guests can also explore the scenic coast of Dongtou and discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gulangyu Island and the UNESCO City of Design, Shenzhen.

Classic China & the Coa st: Combining the best of Viking’s 10-day China Discovery voyage, this 15-day itinerary allows guests to witness landmarks such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Terra Cotta Warriors. The voyage also offers a chance to experience China’s languages, cultures, and cuisines.

China Discovery:  This ten-day itinerary takes guests on an immersive journey to explore Buddhist shrines in Zhoushan, cliffs in Dongtou, the footsteps of European diplomats on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, and the delectable Cantonese dim sum in Shenzhen.

Guests who book until January 31, 2024, can take advantage of the Discover More sale, with up to free international airfare, special fares, and a $25 deposit.

Will you be sailing with Viking Cruises to China? Let us know in the comments!

Julie Bouchner

Julie Bouchner is the Digital Editorial Manager for Porthole Cruise and Travel. She has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Syracuse University. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, baking, and playing with her Siberian Husky named Ellie.

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• Expeditions
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• Shanghai to Hong Kong (Shenzhen)
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NEW! China Discovery

• From £3,290
• 6 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing
• Shanghai to Hong Kong (Shenzhen) Hong Kong (Shenzhen) to Shanghai

NEW! China Discovery Map

Hidden gems and cultural delights

Set sail on an unforgettable 10-day voyage along China’s coast. Immerse yourself in the diverse cuisines and landscapes of this distinctive country during your fully guided journey. Admire Shanghai’s iconic Bund and enjoy access to ports in the provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong. For a video from Viking’s Karine Hagen about why China is such a captivating destination, Watch Now> . For an in-depth video overview of our new China voyages, Watch Now> .

ONBOARD GRATUITIES INCLUDED

Viking Inclusive Value

Pricing that covers everything guests need—and nothing they do not.

To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.

Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

More features, services and excursions included

Return flights from London and selected regional airports

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center.

Self-service launderettes

Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge

24-hour room service

Onboard gratuities

Your Stateroom Includes:

King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linen

42" flat-screen LCD TV with intuitive remote & complimentary Movies On Demand

Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer

Premium Freyja® toiletries

Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service

Security safe

110/220 volt outlets

Ample USB ports

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Pre: Beijing

From £1,199 | 3 Nights

Pre: Spirit of Mongolia

From £4,399 | 5 Nights

Pre: Suzhou & Wuxi

From £999 | 3 Nights

Post: Hong Kong

Post: Hong Kong & Guilin

From £1,399 | 4 Nights

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NEW! Best of China

• From $14,999
• 14 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing

NEW! Best of China Map

Magnificent China exploration

Explore China during a fully guided 20-day cruisetour. See the Forbidden City, Great Wall and rare giant pandas. Sail the scenic eastern coast, delve into Tibet’s spiritual traditions and admire the Terra Cotta Warriors. Hotel stays in Beijing, Chengdu, Lhasa and Xian bracket your voyage. For a video from Viking’s Karine Hagen about why China is such a captivating destination,  Watch Now> . For an in-depth video overview of our new China voyages,  Watch Now> .

SPRING SALE

Viking Inclusive Value

Pricing that covers everything guests need—and nothing they do not.

To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.

Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

More features, services and excursions included

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center.

Self-service launderettes

Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge

24-hour room service

Your Stateroom Includes:

King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linen

42" flat-screen LCD TV with intuitive remote & complimentary Movies On Demand

Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer

Premium Freyja® toiletries

Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service

Security safe

110/220 volt outlets

Ample USB ports

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Pre: Spirit of Mongolia

From $7,199 | 5 Nights

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The 3 types of Viking cruise ships, explained

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Viking is unusual among major cruise lines in that it operates both ocean ships and river ships. Despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

The vast majority of Viking’s river ships — at last count, there were 80 — feature the same design. If you’ve seen one of them, you’ve seen them all.

Ditto for the line’s ocean ships. Nine of Viking’s 11 ocean ships are nearly identical. The two exceptions are the recently unveiled Viking ocean vessels specifically designed for expedition cruising — a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft.

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As a result, the bulk of Viking’s vessels falls into one of just three groups; all the ships in each group sport nearly identical designs.

An introduction to Viking cruise ships

Viking has expanded enormously in recent years with the addition of dozens of new river and ocean ships.

Founded in 1997 with four river vessels, the company operated just 29 ships as recently as 2012. Now, there are more than 90 ships in its fleet.

The vast majority of these ships are river ships — the company’s sole focus for its first 18 years in business. The company dominates the market for river cruises aimed at North Americans, accounting for about 50% of all such trips.

Starting in 2015, Viking began rolling out ocean cruise ships, too.

In early 2023, as noted above, Viking had 80 river ships in its fleet — almost all of which have the same basic design. The exceptions are a few vessels that Viking operates on rivers in Egypt and Asia (more on these ships below). The line also recently began offering cruises on the Mississippi River and its tributaries using a new type of vessel.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Viking’s ocean ships fall into two distinct groups: a series of 930-passenger traditional ocean ships that began debuting in 2015, and a series of 378-passenger expedition ships that began debuting in 2022.

Unlike most cruise lines, Viking doesn’t use the term “classes” to define different sets of ships in its fleet. Instead, it refers to its series of traditional ocean ships as the “Viking ocean ships” and its series of expedition ships as the “Viking expedition ships.” We’ve followed the same breakdown of the line’s ocean and river fleet below.

Viking ocean ships

Ships: Viking Saturn (2023), Viking Neptune (2022), Viking Mars (2022), Viking Venus (2021), Viking Jupiter (2019), Viking Orion (2018), Zhao Shang Yi Dun (2017), Viking Sky (2017), Viking Sea (2016) and Viking Star (2015).

Size: 47,800 tons.

For years, Viking only operated river ships, and some cruisers still think of the brand primarily as a river cruise company. However, since 2015, Viking has been rapidly rolling out a series of upscale ocean vessels; these new additions are increasingly dominating the world of higher-end ocean cruising.

As of June 2023, Viking has nine ships sailing the world’s oceans, each with a capacity for 930 passengers. That gives Viking 8,370 berths in the upscale ocean cruise market — more than competitors Oceania Cruises and Azamara combined.

The series is far from finished. Six more of the vessels are on order from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for delivery between 2024 and 2028, and the company also has options with Fincantieri for four more of the ships to debut in 2029 and 2030. Assuming they are all built, Viking’s ocean division will soon be bigger than Oceania, Azamara, Seabourn and Silversea Cruises  combined.

The first thing to know about the ships in this series is that they all are pretty much identical. When sailing on any one of them, you will be hard-pressed to tell what is different.

They’re also quite upscale. While Viking doesn’t market itself as a luxury line, some still consider it so. The vessels are full of luxury touches, from sumptuous bedding in cabins to heated floors in cabin bathrooms.

Related: The complete guide to Viking cabins and suites

Each of the ships in this series has a stylish, Scandinavian-influenced design that is a Viking trademark, and the cabins are large by cruise ship standards. Even the smallest cabins on each of the vessels have 270 square feet of space — a generous amount. Many cabins are significantly bigger than that, with 14 two-room suites on each of the vessels ranging in size from 757 to 1,448 square feet. Many of these bigger suites offer sweeping views from wrap-around private balconies.

Each of the ships’ interior spaces is built around an elegant, three-deck-high atrium filled with comfortable seating areas that have a living room-like feel. Each also has a bar and guest relations desk. At the top of the ships, you’ll find two-deck-high, glass-walled lounges that offer stunning views over the bow. Other interior spaces include a fitness center and a stylish spa with a thermal suite area that is open to all passengers at no extra charge (something that is not common on cruise vessels).

Multiple restaurants on board each of the vessels include Italian eatery Manfredi’s (named after former Silversea owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, a friend of Viking founder Torstein Hagen) and The Chef’s Table. The latter features rotating themed menus.

The centerpiece of the top deck of each of the ships is the main pool area, which features a glass magrodome that can close during inclement weather. The main pool area on each of the ships sits next to a lovely, glass-topped lounge with comfortable seating called the Wintergarden, which is home to afternoon tea. A den of serenity, it’s one of our favorite places on these vessels.

A secondary pool area with an infinity pool is at the back of each of the ships.

While all of the ships in this series are essentially identical, you will find small differences on a few of them. Most notably, two of the vessels in the series — Viking Orion and Viking Jupiter — have a small planetarium built into the top level of the two-level lounge at their fronts (known as the Explorers’ Lounge). Some of the later ships in the series have slightly larger fitness centers and slightly smaller hair salons.

Note that in addition to the nine Viking ocean ships officially in the Viking fleet, a 10th ship from the same series, Zhao Shang Yi Dun, caters exclusively to the China market as part of a joint venture between Viking and a Chinese company. When it debuted in 2017, the ship originally catered to the North American market and was called Viking Sun.

Viking river ships

Ships: Viking Fjorgyn (2022), Viking Kari (2022), Viking Radgrid (2022), Viking Skaga (2022) and more than 60 other Longships built since 2012, as well as additional river vessels.

Size: 4,000 to 5,000 tons.

River ships originally put Viking on the map, and they’re still at the core of the brand.

As noted above, the line has 80 river ships in its fleet. The vast majority of them have the same basic design and are known as Longships — a reference to the historic vessels used by Vikings in the Middle Ages.

Unveiled in 2012 and designed specifically to fit into the locks used across many of Europe’s rivers, the Longships broke new ground in river ship design in multiple ways.

For starters, they have a configuration that includes some of the largest suites ever for river ships in Europe. They also have a significant number of cabins with balconies — which is made possible by an innovative cabin area layout that offsets main corridors. (In other words, the corridors don’t run down the middle of the ship, creating a wider side with space for balconies and a narrower side with cabins turned sideways to also create room for verandas.)

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s cruise loyalty program

Other innovations include a squared-off bow that allows for eight more cabins than similarly sized ships operated by competitors. Also, quieter engines allow for more cabins at the rear. An enormous amount of groundbreaking engineering went into redesigning the bow areas of the ships, in particular, to enable extra cabins while still leaving room for needed machinery.

As a result of such innovations, the Viking Longships can carry more passengers than similarly sized ships operated by competitors. This has allowed Viking to offer lower prices than other river cruise lines and still bring in a similar amount of revenue per ship — a fact that has contributed greatly to the company’s rapid growth.

Like many river ships, each of the Viking Longships has one main restaurant where most passengers eat their meals as well as one main interior lounge with a bar. There’s also a secondary, casual dining area at the front of each vessel with indoor and outdoor seating. (The outdoor portion, called the Aquavit Terrace, also serves as a forward-facing outdoor lounge during off hours.) Unlike many river ships, the vessels have no spas or fitness centers.

As is typical for river ships, the top of every Viking Longship is covered with an expansive lounge area. There’s also a walking track and an herb garden — the latter used by the kitchen staff to grow herbs used during the preparation of onboard meals.

Most Viking Longships are 443 feet long — the perfect length to fit into the locks on many of Europe’s rivers. Viking also built slightly smaller versions of the Longships, measuring 361 feet or 410 feet in length, specifically to sail on rivers where lock sizes or other navigational factors require smaller vessels. The 410-foot-long versions of the vessels, for instance, were specifically built to sail into the heart of Paris on the Seine River.

Related: Fast-growing Viking unveils four new ships for the Seine

While the Longships come in several different lengths, they are essentially identical in their offerings and decor. The only notable difference is that the smaller versions of the ships have fewer cabins and thus hold fewer people. The 443-foot-long versions of the ship are designed for 190 passengers, for example, whereas the 410-foot-long versions of the vessels hold 168 passengers (since they have 11 fewer cabins).

While most Viking river ships are Longships, there are a few exceptions in the Viking river fleet. Viking operates several smaller, purpose-built vessels on the Nile River in Egypt. It also has several older river vessels that predate the Longships and traditionally have operated on rivers in Russia and Ukraine. (For now, river cruise itineraries in both countries are on hold due to the war in Ukraine.)

Viking also recently began sailings on the Mississippi River with a new ship specifically designed for the river and its tributaries.

As of May 2023, Viking had another 14 river ships either under construction or on order via provisional contracts.

Related: First look at Viking’s stylish new Nile River ship

Viking expedition ships

Ships: Viking Polaris (2022) and Viking Octantis (2022).

Size: 30,150 tons.

Designed to hold just 378 passengers, the Viking expedition ships are specifically designed to take travelers to the most off-the-beaten-path parts of the world, including Antarctica and the Arctic.

As of now, Viking operates just two ships in the series, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, both of which debuted in 2022 . No more are currently on order.

As is typical for expedition ships, these are tough vessels with reinforced bows that let them bump through ice in polar regions; the ships also have extra tanks for fuel and food.

Each of these vessels has its own landing craft on board to bring people ashore in remote locations, as well as kayaks and even submarines for exploring. (The latter is the hot new thing for expedition ships — upscale cruise brands Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Seabourn have been adding submarines to expedition ships , too.)

Like other expedition ships, both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are designed to operate with a large and seasoned “expedition team” that includes biologists, botanists, geologists, glaciologists and ornithologists who lecture regularly.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking ship

Each of the vessels has several new and unusual features, too. Most notable is The Hangar: an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to a 12-seat excursion craft while still in the protected interior of the ship. It’s a first for an expedition cruise ship.

In another first for a polar expedition cruise vessel, every cabin has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel.

Both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are designed to be upscale. Like all Viking’s vessels, they boast elegant Scandinavian designs. The restaurants on both vessels include a version of Viking’s signature Italian spot, Manfredi’s and the Scandinavian-inspired Mamsen’s outlet.

Another feature of both ships that will be familiar to regular Viking customers is a top-of-the-ship, glass-walled Explorers’ Lounge offering stunning views of passing scenery.

In case you’re curious, Viking Octantis is named after Sigma Octantis, the current “south star” that hovers over the South Pole (also known as Polaris Australis). Polaris is named after the current “north star” that hovers over the North Pole. The names are a nod to the polar regions where these expedition ships will likely spend much of their time.

Bottom line

Viking operates more cruise vessels than any other major cruise company catering to North Americans. This is in part because it’s involved in both the ocean cruise and river cruise businesses. Despite its large size, its fleet of vessels is relatively easy to understand. The vast majority of both its ocean ships and river ships are almost identical in their designs.

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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