Viking Cruises has achieved a remarkable feat by being named the #1 cruise line for rivers, oceans, and expeditions for the second consecutive year in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. This accomplishment solidifies Viking’s position as a leader in luxury travel and highlights its commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across diverse destinations.
Viking Cruises, a leading Norwegian cruise line, has embarked on a new era of luxury coastal cruising in China. Their inaugural voyage for international tourists, aboard the Zhao Shang Yi Dun, China’s first Chinese-flagged luxury liner, set sail from Shanghai on September 10, carrying over 650 foreign passengers on a captivating ‘China Discovery’ tour. This marks a significant step forward for the Chinese tourism industry and offers global travelers a unique and luxurious way to experience the beauty of China.
Viking Cruises has announced an exciting 2025 river cruise season, featuring 96 sailings across 13 unique European itineraries. Travelers can choose from eight to 15-day journeys, exploring 42 destinations throughout 11 countries. The new season includes seven “river cruise + land tour” combinations and enhanced routes like the 11-day Danube Discovery.
Viking Cruises has returned to China with the inaugural voyage of the Viking Yi Dun, formerly known as the Viking Sun, from Shanghai to Hong Kong (Shenzhen). The ship will offer exclusive itineraries along China’s coast, providing travelers with access to unique ports and destinations previously unavailable to international visitors. This marks a significant step for Viking, which previously offered Yangtze River cruises in China.
Viking has partnered with UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) to introduce real-time environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing of phytoplankton on its expedition ships. This innovation has transformed the PCR lab aboard the Viking Octantis® into a state-of-the-art scientific facility, enabling scientists to analyze the environmental impact on phytoplankton directly on the vessel, eliminating the need to send samples to remote laboratories. This achievement positions Viking as the first travel company to offer real-time environmental genetic sequencing on its ships.
The Massara Shipyard in Cairo, Egypt has launched Viking’s newest luxury river cruise ship, the Viking Sobek, which is scheduled to begin operations in late 2024. The shipyard celebrated this significant construction milestone with a traditional float out ceremony on May 14.
CNBC’s Jim Cramer is bullish on the recent IPO of Viking Cruises, the largest market debut of the year so far. Despite its hefty price tag, Cramer believes the stock is worth the premium due to the company’s unique offerings, differentiated brand, and focus on high-end customers. Viking stands apart from its competitors with its casino-free, child-free ships, and niche destinations that cater to a wealthy clientele. Cramer highlights the company’s impressive margin expansion and sees its business as more resilient than the mass market segment. While he acknowledges Viking’s imperfect balance sheet, he believes it deserves a premium valuation compared to its peers.
