You probably know Viking best as the River Cruise people. You’re probably also aware they have a fleet of small-ship luxury vessels, and two expedition ships. Viking is also such a powerful marketing machine (how many brochures a month do you get from them?!?), that I often struggle to offer information in this space that you don’t already know.
So here’s an attempt to provide an update on all things Viking.
The hottest news is that Viking has renamed the Viking Sun the Di Yun, and permanently relocated her to China. It’s still the Viking Ocean experience you’ve come to expect, but this move gave them the opportunity to offer itineraries and trip extensions that nobody else is doing.
They will be doing 10, 15, and 20 day itineraries in China starting this September, and they are available for booking now. We expect these to sell out quickly. Here’s a link to that page on their website: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/asia/countries/china/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
Here are some of their other new OCEAN itineraries:
- London to Venice for 20 days. Visit England, France, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Greece, and Croatia. Details here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/western-mediterranean/iberian-and-mediterranean-odyssey/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- San Juan to Los Angeles for 16 days. Great for those in the Western half of the country who don’t want to fly all the way to Florida for a canal cruise. Details here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/caribbean-americas/caribbean-and-panama-canal/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- Malta & Morocco for 16 days round-trip from Barcelona. Visit France, Corsica, Italy, Malta (overnight), Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Spain. A great way to tick Africa off your list. Details here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/western-mediterranean/malta-morocco-and-the-mediterranean/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- Sydney to Singapore for 28 days. Visit Australia’s east and north coasts, then to Indonesia (3 stops), 2-nights in Vietnam, Thailand, and then to Singapore. Details here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/world-grand/jewels-of-australia-and-asia/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
If you’re looking for something new on the RIVER, here’s some ideas:
- Amsterdam to Basel for 10 days in January and February. Viking just finished its first crack at the Rhine River in the winter months. Judging by the popularity this year, I fully expect them to offer it on the Danube river next year (and again on the Rhine). Details here: https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/europe/treasures-of-the-rhine/2024-amsterdam-basel/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- Nuremberg to Basel for 11 days on the Main, Moselle, and Rhine Rivers. Great for those that have already done the Rhine and the Danube. Details here: https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/europe/rhine-and-main-explorer/2025-nuremberg-basel/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- Avignon to Amsterdam for 15 days. See Provence in Eastern France on the Rhone, then over to the Rhine River from Basel to Amsterdam. Details here: https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/europe/lyon-provence-and-the-rhineland/2024-avignon-amsterdam/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
Expedition is more than just Antarctica, and Viking has some innovative new itineraries for Octantis and Polaris.
- Toronto to Nuuk for 15 days. Visit Toronto, the Quebec townships (4 stops), Newfoundland (3 stops), and then 4 stops in Greenland. Details here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/cruise-destinations/great-lakes-canada/canada-and-greenland-explorer/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- Fort Lauderdale to Toronto 15 days. Visit the Quebec townships (3 stops), Cape Breton Island, Lunenburg, Norfolk VA, Charleston SC. https://www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/cruise-destinations/great-lakes-canada/canada-east-coast-explorer/index.html?return=true?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
- Santiago to New York for 20-days. With stops in Chile, Peru, full transit of the Panama Canal, Jamaica and the Bahamas (2 stops). Details here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/cruise-destinations/caribbean-americas/panama-canal-and-the-americas/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
Remember that “Expedition” doesn’t mean you have to be a performance athlete capable of scaling Everest. It does mean you need to be curious about a region, and like to get out and explore those areas.
We found Viking’s Expedition ship to be one of the best thought-out vessels we’ve ever sailed on. Click here for a “walk-around” video of the ship with Bob: https://youtu.be/izwAZ6NdFOo?si=fBkcEpISHZVb6EZZ
Today’s Travel Opportunities
VIKING OCEAN China Itineraries
You will probably hear much more from Viking soon about them renaming the Viking Sun (now the Viking Yi Dun), and giving her a permanent home in China. Starting in September of this year, Viking will escort you through China on 10, 15 and 20 day itineraries:
Shanghai to Hong Kong (or reverse) for 10-days.
- Experience the urban cultures of Shanghai and Hong Kong with colonial buildings juxtaposed with brand new sky-scrapers, explore the Chinese coastline and fishing villages, visit ancient temples,
- Visit Shanghai (overnight), Zhoushan, Dongtou, Pingtan, Xaimen, Hong Kong (overnight)
- Departures in September & October 2024 – Verandas between $4499 to $5299 with FREE FLIGHTS if you book before Feb. 29th.
- Pre and post land stays available in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
- See more here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/asia/countries/china/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
We expect these voyages to sell out quickly – particularly with the FREE AIR promo.
Viking Great Lakes from Toronto to Milwaukee for 8-days
- Visit Toronto, transit the locks in the Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Point Pelee NP, Detroit, Alpena MI, Mackinac Island, and Milwaukee (overnight).
- Nordic Balconies from $5995.
- More information here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/cruise-destinations/great-lakes-canada/niagara-and-the-great-lakes/index.html?agenturlid=pamperedcruiser
UNIWORLD Flash Sale on until February 29
This is one of those rare occasions when a 2 for 1 sale is actually that. The catch is that it is on select sailings only, and only a handful of dates and itineraries:
- Paris & Normandy – 8-days round-trip Paris
- Bordeaux – 8-days round-trip Bordeaux
- Burgundy & Provence – 8-days between Arles and Lyon
- Tulips & Windmills – 10-days between Amsterdam & Antwerp
- Lower Danube – 10-days between Budapest and Bucharest
All the 2 for 1 dates are in the next few months, but if you’re able to travel quickly, this is a great deal. Here’s a link to their page for more information: https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/current-offers/2024-leap-year-flash-sale
TAUCK AIR PACKAGES to Europe
If you’re contemplating a trip to Europe this summer, be aware that the Paris Olympics has put demand-pressure on flights to ALL of Europe. Tauck is taking that irritation away with flat-rate air to Europe with the purchase of any of their land tours:
First the Air Add-On:
- Economy: $990 per person
- Premium: $1790 per person
- Business: $3890 per person
England, Scotland & Wales for 14-days
- Visit Edinburgh, the Lake District, Walled city of Chester, Conwy, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge, Bath, London.
- Stay in the heart of London, and take in a West End Show, tour the Caernarfon Castle in Wales (a UNESCO site), see the Hampton Court Palace, and visit Westminster Abbey.
- $8990 per person for departures May through October 2024.
Portugal & Spain Douro River Cruise for 8-days
- Have a Private Dinner with wine pairings at an Estate winery, see a Port wine cocktail making workshop, bike tour through Vinho Verde Wine country, see Roman Ruins, visit UNESCO world Heritage sites, and drink tons of wine.
- Fares from $5490 for departures May to November
OCEANIA NEW YEAR SALE – Ends February 29.
Oceania has some really competitive fares as part of their Waves Season promo. The Catch: must be booked by the end of the month. Here’s a link to the cruises included: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/new-year
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER – Canadian Rockies round-trip from VANCOUVER
If you want to see the majesty of the Canadian Rockies, there’s no better way to do so than on the rails, and Rocky Mountaineer is one of the world’s MUST-DO train trips. There are tons of different itineraries, but here’s the one I like:
- 10-nights round-trip Vancouver. Get to see this thriving metropolis city, AND the remote beauty of the Rockies with visits to Banff & Jasper National Parks.
- Visit Vancouver (2 nights), Kamloops (1), Jasper NP (2), Banff NP (2), Kamloops (1), Vancouver (2).
- Prices from $5049 per person.
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line (or on board), that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
