Ocean Cruising · Luxury
Viking Ocean Cruises
River cruising philosophy, applied to a mid-size ocean fleet.
Overview
Sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking took the destination-first approach from its river ships and built an ocean fleet around the same idea. Every ship holds under 1,000 guests, follows the same design, and skips the casino and kids’ programming entirely. The itinerary map is much bigger than most people expect, well beyond Europe, into Alaska, the Caribbean, Panama Canal crossings, and a dedicated polar expedition fleet.
Good to know
- Adults-only
- Destination-focused itineraries
- Sister brand to Viking River Cruises
- Purpose-built expedition ships for Antarctica
What Makes Them Different
What sets Viking Ocean Cruises apart
One consistent ship design
Every ship in the fleet is nearly identical, so you know what you are getting no matter which one you book.
No kids, no casino
Adults-only across the fleet, with no casino onboard, a deliberate choice most competitors would not make.
An included excursion at every stop
At least one guided tour comes with the fare in every port, not just the major ones.
A real polar expedition fleet
Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are purpose-built Polar Class ships, small enough for Antarctica and the Arctic, a different fleet from the main ocean ships but booked and run under the same Viking brand.
The Fleet
Viking Ocean Cruises ship classes
Viking Ocean Fleet
Every ocean ship, from Viking Star in 2015 through newer additions like Viking Vesta and Viking Mira, is built to the same identical Scandinavian design. Book any one of them and the layout, the dining venues, and the size are all the same, under 1,000 guests each.
- The Explorers’ Lounge is a two-story, floor-to-ceiling glass room furnished with reindeer hide, built for watching the scenery rather than a stage show
- LivNordic Spa’s thermal suite, including a snow grotto and cold plunge, is included in the fare on every ship, no upcharge
- A glass-backed infinity pool cantilevers off the stern, one of the quieter spots on any ship in the fleet
Polar Class Expedition Ships
Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, purpose-built Polar Class vessels for Antarctica and the Arctic. A different design from the main ocean fleet, with reinforced hulls and onboard science labs, but booked and run under the same Viking brand.
- Each ship carries two 6-passenger submarines with 270-degree acrylic domes, diving to roughly 1,000 feet, a genuine submarine excursion most expedition lines cannot offer
- The Hangar is an enclosed, weatherproofed marina bay that launches guests onto special operations boats without ever stepping onto open, icy decks
- Onboard science labs and a dedicated science team turn the cruise into something closer to a real expedition than a sightseeing trip
Next Step
Curious if Viking Ocean Cruises is the right fit?
Tell me your ideal dates and travel style, and I’ll let you know if this line matches, or point you toward one that does.
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