5 Best Viking Ocean Cruises

After conquering—if not single-handedly creating—the river cruise market, Viking Cruises has now also established itself as a major player in the game of ocean cruises. And as we may expect from a company of this quality, it has certainly put its mark on the market. The cruise line offers a wide variety of ocean cruises all over the world and we have chosen a handful that stand out from the rest. These are five interesting Viking Ocean Cruises.

5 Best Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking believes that traveling ought to be more than just getting from point A to point B, more than simply “taking a trip”. Their vision is that travel should offer insights into local cultures and be a stepping stone to personal development. Traveling is experiencing in all the aspects of the word: feeling, seeing, tasting, smelling, hearing and listening.

When Viking Ocean Cruises started participating in the ocean cruising game, it didn’t take long for them to completely transform the rules. By offering more time in every port, exceptional cuisine, elegant ships and thoughtful on-shore excursions, Viking has become one of the best luxury cruise lines in the world. Moreover, they continue to expand and improve as we speak.

In fact, Viking Ocean Cruises has won several awards in recent years, including the one for #1 Choice of Cruisers. Viking prides itself on not offering what most other major cruise lines do offer. For instance, there are no casinos, no umbrella drinks, no charge for WiFi, no photographers, no formal nights, no inside staterooms and no children under 18. The list goes on and on.

Therefore, we suggest that, if you’re planning a cruise in 2020 or 2021, you look at the following Viking Ocean Cruises. Trust us when we say that they’re world-class and will not disappoint.

1. Iconic Western Mediterranean Cruise

On this 8-day journey from Barcelona to Rome, you will immerse yourself in the culture of the Romance Mediterranean. Enjoy art in Catalonia and Tuscany, gaze in awe at centuries-old architecture, visit Marseille (the oldest city in France), experience the high-end lifestyle of Saint-Tropez and Monte Carlo, and explore antiquity in Rome.

The Iconic Western Mediterranean Cruise is a voyage back in history, a superb cultural exploration, a delicious culinary experience. The cruise takes you to four countries and includes five guided tours. On the way, you’ll visit seven gorgeous towns and cities. Prices start at $1,999.

• Duration: 8 days
• Countries: Spain, France, Monaco and Italy
• Destinations: Barcelona, Montpellier, Marseille, Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa and Rome
• Price: from $2,299

2. Into the Midnight Sun Cruise

Hailing from Scandinavia, Viking Ocean Cruises has, of course, a Nordic itinerary as well. Proving that cruises don’t need to take place in tropical, beachy destinations, the Into the Midnight Sun Cruise is arguably the best of all Viking Ocean Cruises. That’s especially true if you’re into northern European culture, history and nature.

The variety in this cruise is immense, starting in the beautifully historic city of Bergen, taking you to Norway’s most breathtaking coastal spots, sailing to the remote Shetland and Orkney Islands in northern Scotland, and ending in iconic Maritime Greenwich. From there, you’ll have the chance to experience the hustle and bustle of London as well.

This cruise lasts 15 glorious days. What makes this journey so magnificent is that it allows you to visit Europe’s northernmost regions in a classy and comfortable way. For the adventurous and culturally interested, there are no fewer than eleven guided tours. Expect to pay $5,999+ for this journey of a lifetime.

• Duration: 15 days
• Countries: England, Scotland and Norway
• Destinations: Bergen, Geiranger, Lofoten Islands, Tromso, North Cape, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Edinburgh and London (Greenwich)
• Price: from $6,499

3. West Indies Explorer Cruise

Eleven days of exotic delight is what awaits you on the West Indies Explorer Cruise, which absolutely deserves its place among the best Viking Ocean Cruises. Calling at a new port every day, there’s hardly a better way to explore the Caribbean than this.

You’ll visit 9 different countries or islands in the northern Caribbean, including iconic vacation destinations like the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Lucia and Barbados. It’s not all relaxation and “fun in the sun” on this epic cruise, though. Fans of art, architecture, history, music and food will find this cruise amazing as well.

From the colonial history of San Juan to the sugarcane fields of St. Kitts & Nevis and the fascinating mix of French and Dutch culture in St. Martin, there’s more to this cruise than you might expect at first. Prices are definitely reasonable for such a lengthy cruise as well, starting at $2,999.

• Duration: 11 days
• Countries/islands: Puerto Rico, British Virgin Islands, St. Martin, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Barbados and U.S. Virgin Islands
• Destinations: San Juan, Tortola, Basseterre, Castries, Bridgetown, Roseau, St. John’s, Philipsburg and St. Thomas
• Price: from $2,999

4. Far Eastern Horizons Cruise

Viking Ocean Cruises offers world-class cruises in all corners of the globe, including the mesmerizing Far East. On the Far Eastern Horizons Cruise, you will spend 15 days exploring the best that East Asia has to offer.

The first part of this epic East Asia Viking Ocean cruise will be spent in China, traveling around much of the east coast of this giant country. Ports include famous cities such as Hong Kong and Taipei. After four days of exploring China, you’ll cross the East China Sea and visit Japan, one of the most fascinating countries in Asia.

Once again, it’s the extraordinary variety of the Viking Ocean Cruises that sets them apart from the rest. In this case, your experiences will include everything from street market shopping in Hong Kong and visiting Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, to learning about Japan’s Ryukyu Dynasty, visiting Hiroshima and exploring bustling Tokyo. This epic sojourn is priced at $6,999+.

• Duration: 15 days
• Countries: China and Japan
• Destinations: Hong Kong, Taipei, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Beppu, Hiroshima, Osaka, Shimizu and Tokyo
• Price: from $6,999

5. Iconic Southern Caribbean Cruise

On this phenomenal 13-day Southern Caribbean Cruise with Viking Ocean Cruises you’ll loop through the entire Caribbean region. This is an excellent Viking Ocean cruise for U.S. residents, since it starts from Miami, Florida. After leaving the port of Miami, you’ll spend two days at sea, one in the Atlantic Ocean and one in the Caribbean Sea, which gives you plenty of time to get to know your ship.

The first destinations are Oranjestad in Aruba and Willemstad in Curacao, both of which boasts wonderful Dutch colonial buildings and charm. You’ll also visit some of the southern Caribbean’s most beautiful natural destinations on this cruise, excellent examples of which are St. Lucia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The last place you’ll call at before returning to Miami (this is a roundtrip cruise) is San Juan on the vibrant island of Puerto Rico.

This is a fantastic cruise option if you’re after iconic Caribbean destinations, want to visit historic, colonial towns, enjoy some water sports and hikes, spend some time on sensational beaches, and also have plenty of time to relax on the ship.

• Duration: 13 days
• Countries: United States, Aruba, Curacao, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, U.S. Virgin Islands (U.S.), Puerto Rico (U.S.)
• Destinations: Miami, Oranjestad, Willemstad, Castries, Basseterre, St. Thomas and San Juan
• Price: from $3,799

So, if you’re looking for a memorable, perhaps even life-changing, travel experience, consider going on one of these magnificent Viking Ocean Cruises.