About Viking
Viking values
Viking values
We wow our guests in terms of enrichment, comfort and safety in every experience. We anticipate and deliver guest needs with a smile. We are loyal to the unique Viking style. We create memories and moments. We always go the extra mile.
We care for, respect and support each other and our guests. We value honesty, integrity, and genuine laughter. We take ownership and care like owners. We listen to and trust each other.
We strive to be the best
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We are committed to build the greatest company in the industry. We keep questioning the status quo to further improve. We learn from each other and give open feedback. We are passionate about what we do.
Our History
Our History
"We had a vision that travel could be more destination-focused and culturally enriching. We wanted to offer experiences designed for the thinking person" - Torstein Hagen, Founder and Chairman of Viking Cruises
Viking was founded in 1997 with the vision that travel could be more destination focused and culturally immersive. In 2000, the company purchased Europe’s KD River Cruises in order to grow its fleet, to leverage 40 years of river cruising experience and to acquire rights to prime docking locations in key European cities.
The company expanded into the American market in 2000, establishing a sales and marketing office in Los Angeles, California. Since then, Viking has grown to be the leading small ship travel company, offering river, ocean and expedition voyages on all seven continents.
With an operational office in Basel, Switzerland, Viking provides destination-focused itineraries for curious travelers. Each journey includes a shore excursion in every port and an onboard and onshore enrichment program that provides deep immersion in the destination through performances of music and art, cooking demonstrations, informative port talks and carefully selected guest lecturers.
With 250 awards to its name, the company currently operates a fleet of state-of-the-art ships that have received numerous accolades since their launch from industry experts and travelers alike. For the second year in a row, Viking was voted the #1 River Line and the #1 Ocean Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking was also named #1 for both Rivers and Oceans by Travel + Leisure in the 2022 World’s Best Awards making it the only cruise line to reach the top of its categories in both publications in the same year.
Viking marked its 25th anniversary in 2022; during this milestone year, Viking welcomed two new identical expedition ships, as well as two new, identical ocean ships, new Viking Longships® in Europe and new purpose-built vessels for the Nile, Mekong and Mississippi rivers.