Viking (cruise line)

Viking

Company type	Public
Industry	Cruise line
Founded	1997
Founder	Torstein Hagen
Headquarters	Basel , Switzerland
Area served	North and South America, Caribbean, Antarctica, Great Lakes, Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Southeast Asia
Key people	Torstein Hagen (Founder)
Products	River cruises, ocean cruises, expedition voyages
Number of employees	8000+
Website	www.viking.com

Viking (previously known as Viking Cruises) is a publicly listed cruise line that specializes in river, ocean, and expedition voyages. The company’s headquarters are located in Basel, Switzerland, with marketing operations based in Los Angeles, California. Viking functions through three primary segments: Viking River Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, and Viking Expeditions. Its cruise itineraries cover major international regions such as North and South America, the Caribbean, Antarctica, the Great Lakes, Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, and Southeast Asia.

Origins and Early Development

Established in 1997 by entrepreneur Torstein Hagen in St. Petersburg, Russia, Viking initially launched as Viking River Cruises. Hagen’s professional background includes consulting at McKinsey and Company, serving as CEO of Royal Viking Line from 1980 to 1984, and investing in Russian private equity ventures. After acquiring a controlling stake in a Dutch shipping company that collapsed during the mid-1990s, Hagen faced near bankruptcy. To recover, he orchestrated a strategic agreement with Russian oligarchs to acquire four river cruise vessels at a reduced price, laying the groundwork for Viking’s entry into the river cruising industry.

1997–2010: Expansion and Fleet Growth

In 2000, Viking purchased KD River Cruises in Europe, increasing its fleet to 26 ships and becoming the world’s largest operator of river cruises. The company focused on modernizing its vessels to attract an older demographic by prioritizing efficient layouts over luxury features such as gyms or swimming pools, thereby optimizing passenger capacity and profitability. That same year, Viking established partnerships with sales agencies in both the UK and US markets and inaugurated a sales office in California. By 2001, it engaged its first marketing agency targeting English-speaking travelers aged 55 and above, especially Americans. The firm entered the China market in 2004 with cruises along the Yangtze River and operated 23 ships across Europe, Russia, and China by 2007. In 2009, Viking introduced hybrid diesel-electric propulsion systems that cut fuel consumption by approximately 20%.

2011–2019: Expansion and Innovation

Beginning in 2011, Viking embarked on a significant growth phase by sponsoring PBS's Masterpiece Theatre and announcing plans to add 40 "longship" vessels within five years. These longships featured innovative hull designs and corridor layouts to enhance passenger capacity. The company set records by christening multiple ships during single ceremonies in both 2013 and 2014. By 2013, Viking had invested roughly $400 million in marketing across direct mail, television, digital platforms, and trade channels. In May of that year, it rebranded from Viking River Cruises to Viking Cruises while unveiling plans for Viking Ocean Cruises with smaller oceangoing ships.

In October 2017, Viking revealed plans to develop the world’s first cruise ship powered by liquid hydrogen. This vessel was designed to accommodate approximately 900 passengers along with 500 crew members and would measure about , drawing on design elements from existing ocean vessels.

By 2018, Viking Cruises had reached $3 billion in annual revenue while serving around 440,000 guests each year with a workforce exceeding 8,000 employees. The company advanced its North American river cruising initiative with intentions to launch operations on the Mississippi River by 2021. This expansion included plans for six five-story ships constructed by Edison Chouest, each costing between $90 million and $100 million and capable of hosting roughly 400 passengers on routes linking New Orleans to Memphis as well as between St. Louis and Saint Paul.

2020–present: Rebranding and Expansion Initiatives

In January 2020, the organization adopted the name Viking to highlight its focus on destination-centric enrichment and immersive experiences. That same year, Viking revealed plans for Viking Expeditions, its small-ship expedition division, which launched in January 2022 featuring voyages to unique and remote destinations. The company also broadened its river cruise operations into the United States, unveiling its inaugural vessel on the Mississippi River in August 2022.

River Cruises

Viking River Cruises offers itineraries along rivers throughout Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia, and Egypt, with the U.S. expansion on the Mississippi River commencing in 2022. Vessels operating in Europe typically accommodate around 190 guests; those in Russia hold over 200 passengers; and the ship servicing China has a capacity of up to 256 travelers. By 2019, the fleet consisted of 76 vessels, both owned and chartered.

Fleet

Ship	IMO	Maiden Voyage	Builder	Length	Gross Tonnage	Flag	Staterooms	Passengers
Viking Aegir	8339732	2012	Neptun Werft	135 m / 443 ft	3,138 tons	Switzerland	95	190
Viking Alruna	8352241	2016	Neptun Werft	135 m / 443 ft	3,138 tons	Switzerland	95	190
Viking Alsvin	8339938	2014	Neptun Werft	135 m / 443 ft	3,138 tons	Switzerland	95	190
Viking Astrild	8352277	2015	Neptun Werft	110 m / 361 ft	—	Switzerland	49	98
Viking Atla	8339794	2013	Neptun Werft	135 m / 443 ft	3,138 tons	Switzerland	95	190
Viking Aton	9911173	2023	Maasara Shipyard	72 m / 236 ft	210 tons	Egypt	41	82
Viking Baldur	8339809	2013	Neptun Werft	135 m /443 ft	3,138 tons	Switzerland	95	190
Viking Bestla	8339926	2014	Neptun Werft	135 m /443 ft	3,138 tons	Switzerland	95	190
Viking Beyla	8352265	2015	Neptun Werft	110 m /361 ft	—	Switzerland	49	98
Viking Bragi	8339756	2013	Neptun Werft	135 m /443 ft	3,138 tons	Switzerland	95	190
Viking Buri	8338776	2014	Neptun Werft	135 m /443 ft	3,138 tons	Switzerland	95	190

In line with its robust growth plan for river cruising market share, Viking placed an order in 2023 for an additional vessel from Neptun Werft scheduled for delivery in March 2025. Furthermore, nine more ships were commissioned from Meyer Werft to be delivered across 2025 and 2026.

Chartered Vessels

Ship	IMO	Maiden Voyage	Builder	Length	Gross Tonnage	Flag	Staterooms	Passengers	Notes
MS Antares	—	2017	—	126 m /413 ft	—	Egypt	24	52	Also operates as Amarco II
Viking Akun	8707707	2014	VEB Elbewerften Boizenburg	129 m /423 ft	5,475 tons	Russia	102	204	Previously MS Koshevoy
Viking Emerald	—	2011	East Wind Co Ltd	110 m /361 ft	7,100 tons	Template:Country data China	128	256	Leased as Century Emerald
Viking Helgi	8422606	2013	VEB Elbewerften Boizenburg	129 m /423 ft	5,344 tons	Russia	102	204	Formerly named Aleksey Surkov
Viking Ingvar	=8793249	2013	= VEB Elbewerften Boizenburg	=129 m /423 ft	=5,475 tons	= Russia	=102	=204	= Previously known as Narkom Pakhomov
Viking Mekong	=—	2002	=—	=55 m /180 ft	=900 tons	= Template:Country data Vietnam	=28	=56	= Also operates under RV Bassac Pandaw
Viking Rurik	=7515418	2012	=RSW Rosslauer Schiffswerft	=125 m /410 ft	=5,640 tons	= Russia	=98	=196	= Formerly called Peterhof, then Mariya Ulyanova
' 'Viking Saigon' '		2021		80 m /262 ft		Template:Country data Vietnam	40	80
' 'Viking Sineus' '		2014		125 m /410 ft		Template:Country data Ukraine	98	196	Previously named Mikhail Lomonosov
' '' '		2013		129 m /423 ft		Russia	102	204	Formerly known as Sergey Kirov

Previous fleet

Vessel	Inaugural voyage	Length	Cabins	Passenger capacity	Remarks
Viking Britannia		110 m / 360 ft	90	180	Decommissioned as MS Britannia
Viking Burgundy	2000	110 m / 360 ft	75	150	Currently MS Crucebelle. Formerly named Viking Sky.
Viking Danube	1999	110 m / 360 ft	75	150
Viking Deutschland	2001	110 m / 360 ft	90	180
Viking Douro	2011	80 m / 262 ft	65	130	Now operating as MS Douro Spirit
Viking Eurodiamond		82 m / 269 ft	42	84	Renamed MS Johannes Brahms
Viking Europe	2001	114 m / 375 ft	75	150	Now MS Carmen
Viking Fontane	2010	95 m / 311 ft	56	112	Currently MS Junker Jorg
Viking Helvetia	2002	132 m / 433 ft	99	198	Now MS Rhein Symphonie
Viking Lavrinenkov	2001	129 m /423 ft	110	212	Operating as MS General Lavrinenkov
Viking Legend		135 m /443 ft	97	188	Converted into hostel named Dutch Harmony
Viking Mandalay		55 m /180 ft	28	56	Now RV Katha Pandaw
Viking Neptune		114 m /375 ft	75	150	Operating under the name MS Verdi
Viking Normandie		91 m /300 ft	51	100	Sailing as Normandie
Viking Orient		55 m /180 ft	28	56	Now RV Orient Pandaw
Viking Pride		114 m /375 ft	75	150
Viking Primadonna		113 m /372 ft	74	148	Currently MS Primadonna
Viking Seine		110 m /360 ft	75	150	Renamed MS Crucestar. Previously known as Viking Rhône.
Viking Schumann		95 m /311 ft	56	112	Now MS De Amsterdam
Viking Spirit		114 m /375 ft	75	150
Viking Star	110 m /360 ft	75	150
'’'Viking Sun	(2006)	132m/433 ft	(99)	(198)	Now MS 'Rhein Melodie'
'’'Century Sky	(2005)	127m/415 ft	(153)	(306)
'’'Century Star	(2003)	87m/285 ft	(93)	(186)
'’'Century Sun	(2006)	127m/415 ft	(153)	(306)
'’'MS Amadeus Elegant	(2010)	110m/361 ft	(76)	(150)
'’'MS Esplanade	(2012)	77m/253 ft	(67)	(150)
'’'MS Mayfair	(2010)	75m/246 ft	(104)	(148)
'’'MS Omar El Khayam	(2008)	113m/371 ft	(88)	(160)
'’'MS Symphony	(1998)	110m/361 ft	(83)	(146)
'’'MS Vienna	(2006)	135m/443 ft	(82)	(164)
'’'Prince Abbas	(2007)	59m/192 ft	(65)	(130)
'’'Road to Mandalay	(2008)	102m/335 ft	(43)	(82)
'’'Royal Lily	(1998)	74m/244 ft	(60)	(120)
'’'Royal Lotus	(1998)	74m/244 ft	(60)	(120)
'’'RV Tonle Pandaw	(2002)	55m/180 ft	(38)	(66)

Ocean cruises

The Viking Ocean Cruises branch was launched in 2013, debuting its first ship, the Viking Star, in 2015. Initial routes included Scandinavia, the British Isles, the Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean destinations. The fleet expanded with the addition of the Viking Sea in 2016, followed by both the Viking Sky and the Viking Sun in the subsequent year. These vessels derive their names from the first quartet of Royal Viking Line ships, where founder Torstein Hagen held the CEO position from 1980 to 1985.

In mid-2018, Viking introduced its fifth ocean liner, the Viking Orion. Compared to many large cruise ships, the Viking Star-class ships are approximately one-third their size, allowing access to smaller harbors and broadening market opportunities. Each measures about 745.4 feet in length and has a gross tonnage near 47,800 GT. All nine vessels were constructed by Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in Italy and feature interiors inspired by Scandinavian modernism, designed collaboratively by SMC Design (London) and Rottet Studio (Los Angeles).

The itineraries span Northern Europe, Baltic regions, the Americas, Caribbean, Mediterranean basin, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Emphasizing extended stays at ports fosters deeper cultural immersion. Each ship accommodates up to 930 guests with a crew complement of roughly 550.

Between 2017 and early 2018, the company’s first global circumnavigation was completed aboard the ‘‘Viking Sun,’’ lasting approximately 141 days and visiting five continents, encompassing stops in thirty-five countries and sixty-four ports. In May of that year, Viking unveiled its ‘‘Ultimate World Cruise,’’ a landmark journey lasting around 245 days on the ‘‘Viking Sun,’’ covering fifty-nine countries and one hundred thirteen ports. This initiative underscores Viking’s strategic intent to grow its luxury ocean cruising segment and reinforce its global footprint.

Fleet

Ship name	Construction year	Shipbuilder	Length overall	Gross tonnage	Registration flag	Number of cabins	Passenger capacity	Sponsor at christening
Viking Star	2015	Fincantieri	227 m /745 ft	47,842 GT	Norway (civil)	465 cabins	930 passengers	Trude Drevland (Norwegian politician)
Viking Sea	2016	Fincantieri	227 m /745 ft	47,842 GT	Norway (civil)	465 cabins	930 passengers	Karine Hagen (daughter of chairman)
Viking Sky	2017	Fincantieri	227 m /745 ft	47,842 GT	Norway (civil)	465 cabins	930 passengers	Marit Barstad (chairman’s sister)
Viking Orion	2018	Fincantieri	227 m /745 ft	47,861 GT	Norway (civil)	465 cabins	930 passengers	Anna Fisher (astronaut)
Viking Jupiter	2019	align="center"|Fincantieri	align="center"|227 m /745 ft	align="center"|47,842 GT	align="center"|Norway (civil)	465 cabins	align="center"|930 passengers	Sissel Kyrkjebø (Norwegian singer)
Viking Venus	align="center"|2021	align="center"|Fincantieri	align="center"|227 m /745 ft	align="center"|47,842 GT	align="center"|Norway (civil)	465 cabins	align="center"|930 passengers	Anne Diamond (British journalist)
Viking Mars	align="center"|2022	align="center"|Fincantieri, Ancona	align="center"|227 m	align="center"|47,842 GT	align="center"|Norway (civil)	465 cabins	align="center"|930 passengers	Lady Fiona Carnarvon (Countess of Carnarvon)
Viking Neptune	align="center"|2022	align="center"|Fincantieri, Ancona	align="center"|227 m	align="center"|47,842 GT	align="center"|Norway (civil)	465 cabins	align="center"|930 passengers	Nicole Stott (astronaut)
Viking Saturn	align="center"|2023	align="center"|Fincantieri, Ancona	align="center"|227 m	align="center"|47,842 GT	align="center"|Norway (civil)	465 cabins	align="center"|930 passengers	Ann Ziff (Metropolitan Opera Chairman)

Ship name	Year built	Builder	Length	Gross tonnage	Flag	Cabins	Passengers	Status

China Merchants Viking Cruises

Vessel name	Year built	Service entry	Builder	Length	Gross tonnage	Flag	Cabins	Passenger capacity
"招商伊敦" (Zhao Shang Yi Dun; built as "Viking Sun")!!2017!!2021!!Fincantieri!!227 m!!47,842 GT!!China (civil)!!465!!930

Upcoming ocean vessels

The forthcoming additions to Viking's ocean fleet will be modestly larger ships equipped with hydrogen fuel cell technology aimed at improving environmental sustainability and expanding guest capacity.

Ship name	Expected debut	Builder	Length overall	Gross tonnage	Projected flag	Planned cabin count	Planned passenger capacity

! colspan=8 | Hydrogen-powered enlarged ocean vessels commencing service from 2024 |}

Ship name	Maiden voyage date	Builder	Length	Gross tonnage	Flag registration	Staterooms	Passengers

|} In October of 2024, Viking further extended its order portfolio by commissioning two more ships slated for delivery in the year 2030 along with contractual options for an additional four vessels planned for delivery in subsequent years through to 2032. This expansion reflects ongoing growth ambitions within the cruise market.

Expedition cruises

In April of 2018, Viking Cruises collaborated with VARD to commission two specialized expedition cruise vessels valued at around five billion Norwegian krone (~$611 million), with options for two additional ships. These were constructed across facilities in Romania and Norway with anticipated launches in the years 2021 and 2022.

By October of 2019, Viking announced the establishment of Viking Expeditions focused on polar voyages within the Arctic Circle and Antarctica regions. Operations officially commenced in early 2020. Viking Expeditions operates smaller-scale ships designed for navigating remote waterways and coastal areas including North America’s Great Lakes. The inaugural vessel ‘‘Viking Octantis’’ entered service in January of 2022 followed by ‘‘Viking Polaris’’ in August. This division partners with NOAA scientists along with its own expedition teams conducting scientific research.

Expedition fleet

Ship name	Launch year	Builder	Length overall	Gross tonnage	Flag registration	Cabin count	Passenger capacity	Christening sponsor

Ship name	Maiden voyage year	Builder company	Length overall	Gross tonnage	Flag state	Number of staterooms	Maximum guests	Sponsor at naming ceremony !!

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Vessel Name	Maiden Voyage Year	Builder	Length Overall	Gross Tonnage	Flag	Number of Cabins	Passenger Capacity	Named By

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Vessel Name	Year Built & Launched	Shipbuilder Company	Length Overall in Meters & Feet	Gross Tonnage in Tons	Flag Country & Registration Type	Number of Staterooms & Cabins Available!! Maximum Number of Passengers Allowed!! Name of Person Who Christened Vessel!!

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Ship Name	! Maiden Voyage Year	! Builder Company	! Length Overall	! Gross Tonnage	! Flag State	! Number Of Cabins	! Max Passengers	! Christener !!!

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Ship Name		Maiden Voyage		Builder		Length		Gross Tonnage		Flag		Number Of Cabins		Passenger Capacity		Christened By	!

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Ship Name		Maiden Voyage		Builder		Length		Gross Tonnage		Flag		Cabin Count		Passenger Capacity		Christening Sponsor	!

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Ship Name		Maiden Voyage		Builder		Length		Gross Tonnage		Flag		Cabin Count		Passenger Capacity		Christened By!!!!

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Vessel Name		Maiden Voyage		Builder		Length(m)		Gross Tonnage(t)		Flag		Cabin Count		Passenger Capacity		Christened By!!!!

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Vessel Name	!Maiden Voyage	!Builder	!Length(m)	!Gross Tonnage(t)	!Flag	!Cabin Count	!Passenger Capacity	! Christened By!!!

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Vessel Name	!Maiden Voyage Date	!Builder Company	!Length(meters)	!Gross Tonnage(tons)	!Flag Country	!Cabin Count	!Passenger Capacity	! Christened By!!!

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Vessel Name	!Maiden Voyage Date	!Builder Company	!Length(meters)	!Gross Tonnage(tons)	!Flag Country	!Cabin Count	!Passenger Capacity	! Christened By!!!

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Sponsorship activities

Since its inception in 2011, Viking has been a sponsor of programming on PBS, particularly for series aired on ‘‘Masterpiece Theatre’’ such as ‘‘Downton Abbey,’’ ‘‘Sherlock,’’ and ‘‘Poldark.’’ Additionally, it supports National Geographic’s television series ‘‘Genius,’’ which centers on Albert Einstein’s life. The company also contributes to cultural institutions including the Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl, Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, BBC broadcasting services, Oslo’s Munch Museum in Norway, and Russia’s Mariinsky Theatre located in St. Petersburg.

Incidents and accidents

On September 11th, 2016, a collision involving ‘‘Viking Freya’’ occurred near Erlangen in Germany when it struck a bridge; this tragic event resulted in two crew member fatalities.

On March 23rd, 2019, ‘‘Viking Sky’’ declared a mayday following an engine malfunction off Norway’s coastline; approximately four hundred sixty passengers were evacuated safely before repairs were undertaken at Molde port. The following scheduled cruise was subsequently canceled.

On April first that same year, ‘‘Viking Idun’’ collided with an oil tanker named ‘‘Chemical Marketer’’ near Terneuzen in the Netherlands. Five passengers sustained minor injuries while the vessel suffered substantial damage to its bow section.

On May twenty-ninth, twenty nineteen, ‘‘Viking Sigyn’’ collided with a tour boat called ‘‘Hableány’’ on Budapest’s Danube River causing it to capsize resulting in twenty-eight fatalities among thirty-five people onboard. Captain Yuriy Chaplinsky from Odesa was arrested on charges related to endangering waterborne transport safety leading to mass casualties; he was later released on bail during June that year. Reports indicate Chaplinsky had been aboard ‘‘Viking Idun’’ during its earlier collision though his role as captain there remains contested. Investigations concluded he was sober during the Danube incident but failed to detect the smaller vessel.

On June fifth of twenty nineteen a Viking ship later identified as ‘‘Viking Tir’’ caused damage to Riedenburg lock on the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal leading to closure for repairs lasting several weeks; no injuries were reported.

On November twenty-ninth two thousand twenty-two off Argentina’s coast ‘‘Viking Polaris’’ encountered a rogue wave resulting in one passenger fatality caused by flying glass debris and four others injured.

On August eighteenth two thousand twenty-three a crew member aboard ‘‘Viking Mars’’ died after falling overboard while docked at Cromarty Firth port near Invergordon.

See also

• List of river cruise vessels