Viking Opens 2026 Ocean Voyages Bookings With New Extensions Announced

Strong Demand Sees Viking Open Bookings Early for Newest Ocean Ship
and Itineraries Through 2026

Image Caption: Viking today announced that its 2026 ocean voyages are now open for booking. With many 2024 dates already sold out and 2025 departures selling fast, there has been an early opening of 2026 departures across the company’s ocean fleet. Pictured here, a Viking ocean ship in Norway, part of the award-winning fleet of sister ships. For more information, visit www.viking.com.

Viking, a trailblazer in ocean travel experiences, has just opened bookings for its highly anticipated 2026 ocean voyages. Following the success of sold-out 2024 dates and fast-filling 2025 departures, eager travellers can secure their spots for 2026 across Viking’s esteemed ocean fleet. Excitingly, this announcement includes voyages for the brand-new Viking Vesta®, set to join the fleet in July 2025.

Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, expressed the company’s distinctive approach, saying, “We design travel experiences for thinking people, with no children and no casinos.” This unique philosophy has earned Viking the title of #1 Ocean Line by both Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure, along with the honour of being named Best Boutique Ocean Cruise Line in the 2023 Telegraph Travel Awards.

The Viking Vesta®, a 998-guest cruise ship, will make its debut in July 2025, sailing popular itineraries in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia. The ship’s smaller size, classified as a small ship with a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons, provides an intimate and immersive experience for travellers seeking exploration without the crowds.

Viking offers over 80 ocean itineraries, showcasing a variety of destinations and experiences. Among the most popular voyages are the Viking Homelands, Iconic Western Mediterranean, Empires of the Mediterranean, and the West Indies Explorer, each promising a unique and enriching adventure.

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 centre 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.

• West Indies Explorer (11 days; San Juan roundtrip) – Set sail on a roundtrip voyage from San Juan to explore the colourful 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.

In addition to the voyages, Viking is introducing six new immersive Pre and Post Cruise Extensions, responding to the growing popularity of these add-ons among travellers. These extensions, available in iconic cities such as Barcelona, Istanbul, London, Rome, Stockholm, and Venice, offer a deeper connection to the local culture with Privileged Access® to museums, culinary experiences, market visits, and more.

Here’s a glimpse into some of the new extensions:

• Best of Barcelona: Dive into Cataluña’s capital, explore Montserrat, La Sagrada Familia, and the Gothic Quarter, with optional excursions for a deeper cultural immersion.

• Best of Istanbul: Immerse yourself in Ottoman history, visit landmarks like the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia, and indulge in Turkish culinary delights.

• Best of Rome: Extend your stay in the “Eternal City,” exploring historic streets, Vatican City, and learning the art of making pasta the Italian way.

• Best of Stockholm: Experience the vibrant culture of Stockholm, from its art-adorned subway stations to a taste of traditional cuisine at Östermalmshallen.

• Best of Venice: Enjoy an intimate exploration of Venice, including a nighttime Grand Canal cruise and a morning stroll through the Rialto Fish Market.

For those eager to embark on one of these extraordinary journeys, booking details can be found on the official Viking website or by calling 0800 458 69 00. Don’t miss the chance to join Viking on their quest for exploration and discovery in 2026!