Viking Awards
Condé Nast Traveler
Readers’ Choice Awards — 19 years of recognition
In 2024, Viking was voted #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards for the second year in a row. This marks the first time a travel company has won these three categories in back-to-back years, as well as the fourth consecutive year that Viking has won both the river and ocean categories.
Viking is also honored to have scored in the top of the list every year since the river category was introduced, including also being voted the #1 for Rivers in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
Travel + Leisure
World’s Best Awards — 20 years of recognition
In 2024, Viking was voted to the top of its categories for oceans, rivers and expeditions in their annual World’s Best Awards, marking 20 years of recognition since 2004. Viking was also named both the #1 Ocean Line and the #1 Expedition Line by Travel + Leisure readers in 2023.
In 2022, Viking was also named the #1 River Line and the #1 Ocean Line.
Cruise Critic
Cruisers’ Choice Awards — 2023, 2019
In 2023, Viking was rated the Best River Line in Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive time. Additionally, in 2019 Viking Vidar and Viking Lofn took first and second place respectively in this category. 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.
Condé Nast Traveler
READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS — 17 YEARS OF RECOGNITION
In 2022 Viking was named both the #1 River Line and the #1 Ocean Line in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
This is the second year in a row that Viking has scored higher than all other cruise lines in both of these categories.
Viking is honored to have scored in the top of the list every year since the river category was introduced, including also being voted the #1 River Cruise Line in 2020, 2018 and 2017.
Travel + Leisure
WORLD’S BEST AWARDS — 18 YEARS OF RECOGNITION
In 2022, Viking was named both the #1 River Line and the #1 Ocean Line by Travel + Leisure readers in their annual World’s Best Awards, marking 18 years of recognition since 2004.
Viking was also named the #1 River Line on Travel + Leisure’s 2012 and 2015 World’s Best lists.
In 2015, Viking earned the highest score of all river and ocean lines in the magazine’s annual World’s Best List.
Viking was also named the #1 River Line on Travel + Leisure’s 2012 and 2015 World’s Best Lists.
Cruise Critic
CRUISERS’ CHOICE AWARDS — 2019
In 2019, Viking was rated the #1 River Cruise Line in Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards with Viking Vidar and Viking Lofn taking first and second place respectively. 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.
CRUISE CRITIC
EDITORS’ PICKS AWARDS — 9 YEARS OF RECOGNITION
For nine consecutive years Viking has been honored with awards including “Best River Cruise Line,” “Best New River Ships” for the Viking Longships, “Best River Cruise Itineraries,” “Best Enrichment,” “Best Shore Excursions,” and “Best for First-Timers.” Cruise Critic states, “In an expanding river market, Viking continues to reign.”
CRUISE CRITIC
CRUISERS’ CHOICE DESTINATION AWARDS — 2018
In 2018, Viking was rated one of the top European River Cruise Lines in Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards. The Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards highlight the world’s best destinations and cruise lines, based solely on member reviews published on the Cruise Critic website.
Women’s Health
Travel Awards — 2023
In 2023, Viking was named “Best River Line” by Women’s Health Magazine in their annual Travel Awards. Women’s Health Editors chose Viking for its intimate ship design and destination-focused sailings that dock in “the heart of town.”
Cruise Critic
Editors’ Picks Awards — 10 years of recognition
For ten consecutive years Viking has been honored with awards including “Best River Cruise Line,” “Best New River Ships” for the Viking Longships, “Best River Cruise Itineraries,” “Best Enrichment,” “Best Shore Excursions,” and “Best for First-Timers.” Cruise Critic states, “In an expanding river market, Viking continues to reign.”
USA Today
10Best Readers’ Choice Awards — 6 Time Winner
For the sixth consecutive year, Viking was named “Best River Cruise Line” in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Nominated by travel experts and voted on by travelers, Viking was recognized for its “all-inclusive cruises, outside staterooms, WiFi, wine and beer with meals and shore excursions in every port.”
Newsweek
America’s Best Customer Service — 2024 ,2023, 2022, 2021
For the fourth consecutive year, Viking is honored to have been named #1 for “Best Customer Service for Cruise Operators” by Newsweek Magazine. The award highlights brands that provide the best customer service in areas such as “quality of communications, professional competence, range of services, customer focus and accessibility.”
Additionally, in 2021 and 2022, Viking earned the highest score within the overall transportation and travel industry category outranking dozens of other travel suppliers.
AFAR
Travelers’ Choice Awards — 2020, 2019, 2017
Viking was honored once again as the #1 river cruise line in AFAR magazine’s 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards. Travelers chose Viking for its included daily cultural enrichment and destination-focused experiences.
The Points Guy
Readers’ Choice Awards — 2021, 2020
In 2021, readers of The Points Guy, a website dedicated to honoring excellence in the travel industry, named Viking “Best River Cruise Line” highlighting the destination-focused itineraries and upscale ship design. In 2020, Viking was also recognized as the “Best Small Ship Cruise Line” for both our River and Ocean cruises.
Town & Country
Cruise Awards — 2016
In the 2016 Town & Country Cruise Awards, Viking Longships were awarded “Best for Suites” and “Best for Design.” Town & Country editor remarked, “The simple Scandinavian design of Viking’s nearly 50 newly built Longships makes the best use of space we’ve seen.”
Cruise Fever
Fan Awards — 2017, 2016, 2015
Cruise Fever fans named Viking “Best River Cruise Line” for the third year in a row in the 2017 Cruise Fever Fan Awards.
Porthole
Readers’ Choice Awards — 2016, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008
Viking has been honored five times by Porthole Cruise Magazine readers, with awards including “Best River Cruise Line” and “Best River Ship.”
Cruise Report
Editors’ Choice Awards — 2016, 2012, 2007, 2006
CruiseReport.com honored Viking with “Best River Cruise Accommodations” in their 2016 Editors’ Choice Awards. Previously, Viking has been named “Best River Cruise Line” three times, and in 2012 was named “Best Way to See Russia.”
TravelAge West
WAVE Awards — 14 Time Winner
In 2024, Viking Aton was named “Best New River Ship” by this prestigious travel industry publication in their WAVE Awards. Additionally, for the second consecutive year, Viking was named “Best River Line for U.S. sailings”.
In 2021, Viking was also awarded “Most Creative New Virtual Programming” for Viking.TV, our award-winning, enrichment program that has been providing valuable content to our travel partners and guests from the comfort of their own homes since it’s launch in 2020. Viking has also been named “Best River Cruise Line” eleven consecutive times (2006 to 2016).
Travel Weekly
Readers Choice Awards — 18 Time Winner
In 2023, Viking Gersemi was named “Best New River Ship” by Travel Weekly. Viking was also named “Best River Cruise Line” seventeen consecutive times (2006 to 2022) by this prestigious travel industry publication in its Readers Choice Awards. Viking Tor and Viking Magni were also awarded “Best River Cruise Ship” in 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Luxury Travel Advisor
Awards of Excellence — 7 Time Winner
In 2023, Viking was named “Best River Cruise Line” for the eighth time. This also marks the fourth time Viking was recognized as the first and only cruise line to win both rivers and oceans categories in the prestigious luxury trade awards: Best Luxury River Cruise Company and Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Company.
Recommend
Readers’ Choice Awards — 13 Time Winner
For the thirteenth time since 2006, Recommend magazine awarded Viking “Best River Cruise Line” in its Readers’ Choice Awards.
Fodor’s Travel
World’s Best Cruises — 2016, 2015
Viking was honored on Fodor’s Travel 10 Best River Cruises for 2016, and in 2015 received the “World’s Best Cruises for 2015” award for its Legends of the Rhine.
Seatrade Cruise News
Cruise Awards — 2011
The River Cruise Innovation Award was presented to Viking in 2011 for our innovative Viking Longships. This was the first award presented to “a company, organization or individual who has provided an exceptional service, or product or initiative in the river cruise sector.”
Money
Best in Travel — 2017
In search of the “Best Cruises for Your Money,” Money magazine named Viking the “Best River Cruise Line” for providing “the greatest choice of waterways, ports, and cruising dates…” while also offering exceptional value.