Viking Honored With 2019 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards

Viking Takes Five Categories, Including Best Luxury Value for Money and Best Enrichment in 12th Annual Awards

Los Angeles (December 4, 2019) – Viking® (www.vikingcruises.com) today celebrated new accolades from Cruise Critic®, the world’s largest online cruise resource. In the 2019 Editors’ Picks Awards, Cruise Critic honored Viking with five awards in the luxury ocean and river categories, marking the third consecutive year Viking has won more Editors’ Picks awards than any other river or ocean cruise line. Three of the awards are in the prestigious luxury ocean categories and include Best Luxury Value for Money and Best Spa – both of which Viking has won every year since introducing its ocean cruises in 2015 – as well as Best Enrichment. The company was also recognized in two river categories: Best Itineraries and Best for First-Timers for the second and third consecutive year, respectfully. The full list of Editors’ Picks Awards can be viewed on Cruise Critic here.

“We are honored to be recognized by the editors of Cruise Critic for our leadership,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “I want to thank Cruise Critic’s editors, who are true industry experts that continue to appreciate ‘The Viking Difference’ we offer with our travel experiences. I would also like to thank our guests for their continued enthusiasm and participation in the Cruise Critic community.”

Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks

Cruise Critic boasts the world’s largest online cruise community, with more than 650,000 cruise reviews, covering approximately 700 cruise ships and nearly 500 worldwide ports. The Editors' Picks Awards combine Cruise Critic editors’ impartial cruise expertise – based on firsthand experiences and industry knowledge – to help travelers select the best cruise vacation from an increasing number of cruise options. In ranking Viking in the top spot for five different awards, Cruise Critic’s editors commented with the following:

Best Value for Money – Luxury Ocean: “A cruise on a Viking ship means rarely having to reach for your wallet once onboard. With included perks like specialty dining and shore excursions, it's easy to feel spoiled. Viking's no nickel-and-diming policy means passengers know what they're paying upfront and appreciate the value of a cruise that includes excellent dining, large staterooms and friendly, intuitive service.”

Best Spa – Luxury Ocean: “It doesn't get any better than Viking's sublime LivNordic Spa. The highlight of any Viking cruise is the wonderful thermal suite, which is tranquil, gorgeous and absolutely free. Packed with amenities like a thalassotherapy pool, snow grotto and heated ceramic lounge chairs, the thermal suite is the best place to spend a sea day. Viking has redefined the cruise ship spa experience.”

Best Enrichment – Luxury Ocean: “Not surprising for a cruise line that partners with PBS, Viking takes enrichment seriously. Each ocean ship has a resident historian, who gives entertaining and informative destination-based lectures and leads Q&As about regional current events. New-this-year Viking Jupiter and Viking Orion also have onboard planetariums, technologically powerful enough for 3D shows, and resident astronomers to make sense of what you've seen.”

Best for First-Timers – River: “New to river cruising? Then Viking should be your first stop. Perhaps the best-known river cruise line, Viking is also one of the most expansive; the company's vast fleet of Longships means it's easy to find the perfect sailing. Smart inclusions, such as beer and wine at lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi and a shore excursion in every port, mean few extra fees once onboard.”

Bets Itineraries – River: “From the Mekong to the Yangtze, the Danube to the Douro, the Nile to the Volga, you'll find a Viking riverboat. The line has pioneered cruises on many of the world's rivers, offering insightful and in-depth itineraries exploring the culture, heritage and sights of the destinations. The sheer amount of ships means that it's easy to find a river cruise to suit any taste.”

Today’s announcement from Cruise Critic builds on to the impressive list of recent accolades for Viking. For the fourth consecutive year, Travel + Leisure readers voted Viking to the top of its categories in the 2019 World’s Best Awards. Earlier this year, the company’s first five 930-guest sister ships, Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, Viking Sky®, Viking Sun® and Viking Orion® dominated the Cruise Critic® 9th Annual Cruisers’ Choice Awards, receiving 11 First Place honors. All six of Viking’s ships have been awarded a top rating of five stars by Cruise Critic.