Viking Awards

WORLD’S BEST AWARDS – 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

For the fifth year in a row, Viking was named the #1 Ocean Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure readers in the World’s Best Awards 2019. This award reinforces Viking’s position as a formidable industry leader.

Viking won the same Ocean Cruise Line award in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 overtaking the spot previously held by a luxury cruise line for 20 years. Viking is immensely proud of receiving this honor every single year since the launch of Viking’s ocean cruises in 2015.

CRUISERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

In 2019, the Viking ocean fleet swept the 9th Annual Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards with Viking Sky, Viking Star, Viking Sun and Viking Orion taking top honors in 10 out of 12 ocean categories.

Viking Sky
received six first place awards within the small- to mid-size ship group:
Best Overall Ship, Best Cabins, Best Dining, Best for Public Rooms, Best Service
and
Best Value-for-Money
.
Viking Sky
also beat ships of all sizes to receive a seventh first place award as
Best for First-Timers
.
Viking Orion
was awarded First Place as
Best for Fitness & Recreation
;
Viking Sun
was awarded First Place for
Best Entertainment
; and
Viking Star
was awarded First Place for
Best Shore Excursions
. The Cruisers’ Choice Awards name the best cruise ships in the world, based solely on ratings submitted with member reviews published on the Cruise Critic website.

EDITORS’ PICKS AWARDS – 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

In 2019, the international team of Cruise Critic editors awarded more honors to Viking than any other cruise line. Viking once again led the luxury ocean cruise category with three prestigious awards—including “Best Luxury Value for Money,” “Best Spa,” and “Best Enrichment.” Cruise Critic notes that on top of fare inclusions, “Viking cruisers benefit from smartly designed cabins; gorgeous top-deck, all-weather hangouts; and destination-intensive itineraries.”

Cruise Critic editors have honored Viking ocean cruises every year since the debut of our first ship, Viking Star, in 2015. That year Viking Star was named the “Best New Ocean Ship,” with editors noting, “The ship is so beautifully designed—with terrific al fresco restaurants, a beautiful pool area, a superb spa and the two-level Explorers’ observation lounge—that you’ll be hard-pressed to go ashore.”

EDITOR RATING: 5 STARS – 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

Cruise Critic’s team of expert editors awarded Viking’s entire fleet of ocean ships—Viking Jupiter (2019), Viking Orion (2018), Viking Sun (2017), Viking Sky (2017), Viking Sea (2016) and Viking Star (2015) —with their highest rating: 5 stars. They stated that Viking Sea “is a stunning vessel that seamlessly integrates comfort and modern, Scandinavian style. The ship’s small size means it rarely feels busy and is able to get into ports bigger ships can’t reach.” About Viking Star they noted her to be “one of cruising’s most beautiful small ships.”

CRUISERS’ CHOICE DESTINATION AWARDS – 2019, 2018

For the second consecutive year, Viking was honored as the Best Baltic & Scandinavian Cruise Line as well as Best British Isles & Western Europe Cruise Line. In 2018, Viking was also honored as Best Western Caribbean & Riviera Maya Cruise Line as well as Best Western Mediterranean Cruise Line.

WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES – 2018

Viking Orion
was named one of the World’s Best Places to Stay for 2018. Highlighting an “out-of-this-world experience”, TIME praises
Viking Orion
’s onboard planetarium (the most advanced on an ocean ship) as well as onboard lectures on astronomy and space exploration led by resident astronomer Howard Parkin.

TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 2020, 2018

Viking received two first place honors in the 2020 AFAR Travelers’ Choice Awards. Named “Best Mediterranean Cruise Line” and “Best Caribbean Cruise Line,” Viking was chosen for its elegant, small-ship design, culturally rich experiences and picturesque itineraries.

#1 SHIP – 2017, 2016

In its Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 edition, Berlitz rated Viking Sea first in her category, noting her “many elegant touches” and “excellent inclusive value.” This year, Viking Star, which was rated highest in her category in 2016, earned second place behind her sister ship Viking Sea.

10BEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

In 2020, Viking was named the Best Ocean Cruise Line in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Additionally, Viking Sky and Viking Orion took first and second place respectively in the “Best Small Ship” category and Viking Sea and Viking Star also earned first and second placements for “Best Cruise Ship for Dining.” Nominated by a panel of travel experts and voted on by travelers, Viking was recognized for its “destination-focused itineraries,” “top-notch service,” and well-appointed, all-veranda staterooms.

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 2020

In 2020, readers of The Points Guy, a website dedicated to honoring excellence in the travel industry, named Viking “Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” highlighting the destination-focused itineraries and upscale ship design on both our Ocean and River cruises.

CRUISE AWARDS – 2017, 2016

Viking received two honors in the 2017 Town & Country Cruise Awards. Viking Star, Viking Sea, Viking Sky and Viking Sun were recognized in the “Best Aboard” category stating “the spas on all four ships are the most beautiful at sea”. Viking was also recognized in “Best Sports Marinas” for its destinations.

In the 2016 Town & Country Cruise Awards, Viking Star and Viking Sea were awarded “Best Overall Contemporary Luxury Cruise Line” and “Best for Design Contemporary Luxury Cruise Line.” Town & Country comments, “The Viking ocean design philosophy holds that ships should be elegant and comfortable and never overwhelm the real purpose of cruising: to see the world.”

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE – 2019, 2018, 2017

In 2019, Viking was recognized for the third consecutive year as the first and only cruise line to win both rivers and oceans categories in the prestigious luxury trade awards: Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Company (for the third time) and Best Luxury River Cruise Company (for the sixth time).

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS – 2020, 2019, 2018

For the third consecutive year, Recommend magazine awarded Viking “Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Line” as well as “Best Mid-Size Ship” in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards.