Viking announced a new 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise, which will span 138 days, 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities.
In response to strong demand among guests for the 2021 and 2022 World Cruises, which sold out in record time, the cruise line will offer a choice of two departure dates for this extended voyage for the first time. Guests can choose to sail on Viking Sky, which will depart on 20DEC, 2023 or on Viking Neptune, which will depart on 23DEC 2023; both ships depart from will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and sail the identical itinerary in parallel.
“We are delighted to once again offer explorers the opportunity to circumnavigate the world in comfort. Our previous World Cruises sold out in a matter of weeks, and we are now seeing more interest in these extended voyages than ever before,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking.
“Like me, our guests are curious people; we view travel as an opportunity to discover, learn and grow. With that Viking spirit of exploration, our seamless World Cruises are possibly the greatest of all adventures.”
Guests sailing on the 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise will journey to Central America, before transiting the Panama Canal and sailing up the West Coast of North America. A shorter 121-day Viking World Journeys itinerary is also available, allowing guests to join in Los Angeles and cross the Pacific Ocean to call in Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, before exploring ports of call in Asia and the Middle East. Finally, the ships will journey through the Mediterranean and conclude the voyage in London.
2023-2024 Viking World Cruise
Viking’s newest World Cruise itinerary visits dozens of the world’s most iconic cities, alongside lesser-known destinations, in one continuous itinerary. Overnight stays in 11 ports, such as Sydney, Haifa, and Istanbul, and double overnights in Auckland, Bali, Ho Chi Minh, Yangon, and Mumbai allow guests to delve deeper. While on board, Viking offers cultural enrichment through onboard lectures and entertainment, such as the Viking Resident Historian program, which provides guests with a historical and cultural education specific to their journey. Guests will immerse themselves in the world’s rich cultures during included excursions that provide insight into daily life, as well as Privileged Access visits to cultural institutions.
Highlights of the new 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise itinerary include:
- Kauai (Nawiliwili), Hawaii: The Garden Island – Explore the vegetation of tropical Kauai, nicknamed Hawaii’s “Garden Island.” Guests can embark on a scenic drive to Wailua, known as the “Land of the Kings,” to admire the nature including the 150-foot high ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls, visit Nawilliwilli’s Old Town and enjoy a walk along the beach, or peruse the shops of nearby Anchor Cove.
- Sydney, Australia: Iconic Harbor – Experience Sydney’s magnificent harbor, the world’s largest, and enjoy an overnight stay allowing ample time to explore the city, from its world-class opera house to the natural wonders of the nearby Blue Mountains.
- Singapore, Singapore: A Melting Pot of Cultures – Witness the cultural diversity of Singapore during an overnight stay. Take a tour of the city’s neighborhoods, from Little India to Arab Street, visit the futuristic horticultural park showcasing more than one million plants, or enjoy a Night Safari at the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park.
- Mumbai, India: A City of Old and New – While in port in the metropolis of Mumbai for two nights, guests have more time ashore to learn about the life and legacy of activist Mahatma Gandhi, enjoy the Hanging Gardens, one of the prized few parks found in the city, and explore the diversity of its neighborhoods, from the narrow streets of Old Mumbai to the markets in the city’s center.
- Istanbul, Turkey: Where East Meets West – Guests will enjoy ample time to experience this city during an overnight stay. Straddled across two continents and the Bosporus Strait, Istanbul offers a wealth of religious sites to explore such as the Blue Mosque or the Hagia Sophia, and boasts fusion cuisine, combining Mediterranean fare with spices from the Far East and Asia.
- London (Greenwich), England: The Royal Borough – The journey concludes in the historic Royal Borough of Greenwich, London on the Thames River, allowing easy access to the regal capital’s iconic sights, including the Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Viking Sky and Viking Neptune
Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” Viking’s ocean fleet features Scandinavian design.
Highlights include:
- All Veranda Staterooms: Guests can choose from five stateroom categories, starting from 270 sq. ft. Veranda Staterooms, all with private verandas, views of the destination and premium amenities that include king-size beds with luxury linens, large closets, Freyja® bath products, and more
- Explorer Suites: The ships feature 14 Explorer Suites, which are two-room suites ranging from 757 to 1,163 sq. ft and with views from wraparound private verandas, and more.
- Two Pool Choices: In addition to the Main Pool with a retractable roof permitting any-season swimming, the ships feature a glass-backed Infinity Pool cantilevered off the stern, allowing guests to swim surrounded by their destination.
- Explorers’ Lounge and Mamsen’s: The Explorers’ Lounge and Mamsen’s gourmet deli are spaces located at the bow of the ship and designed to represent the Scandinavian spirit forrelaxation and for marveling at views through double-height windows.
- Dining Choices: Viking’s ships offer eight dining options, all with no additional charge or fee—from fine dining in The Restaurant, which serves three full meals and a variety of culinary options, and the World Café, which features international fare and regional specialties including a sushi and seafood cold bar—to alternative dining experiences at The Chef’s Table, which offers a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings, and Manfredi’s, which features freshly prepared pastas and Italian favorites. The Pool Grill specializes in gourmet burgers, while afternoon tea and scones are available in the Wintergarden. Mamsen’s serves Norwegian deli-style fare, and complimentary 24-hour room service allows all guests to enjoy many dishes in the comfort of their stateroom. Additionally, The Kitchen Table specializes in regional dishes from market to table.
- Cultural Enrichment: Viking Resident Historians deliver high-level historical and cultural education specific to the journey, offering invaluable insight into the history of the destination. Guest Lecturers who are experts in their fields shed light on the destination’s art, architecture, music, geopolitics, natural world and more. Destination Performances represent the most cultural performing arts of the region—whether it be Italian opera or Portuguese fado. Resident Classical Musicians—pianists, guitarists, violinists and flautists—perform classical compositions throughout the ships. And Culinary Classes in The Kitchen Table, Viking’s onboard cooking school, focus on regional cuisine.
Booking Details
Pricing for the 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise starts at USD $54,995 per person; pricing for the 2024 Viking World Journeys itinerary starts at USD $49,995 per person, based on double-occupancy. Both of Viking’s new World Cruise itineraries offer up to USD $50,000 per couple in Viking Value, including Business Class international air, transfers to and from the ship, all shipboard gratuities and service fees, complimentary visa services, the Silver Spirits Beverage Package, and free luggage shipping services for embarkation.
Guests who book between now and 30SEP 2021 will receive an additional USD $2,000 per person in shore excursion credit for any optional land programs and USD $1,000 per person in shipboard credit which can be used toward optional tours, spa services, onboard shops and beverages. Viking Explorer Society members who book the 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise or Viking World Journeys through 30SEP 2021 will receive an additional USD $1,000 in shipboard credit per person.
