Viking celebrated the kickoff of its inaugural World Cruise on its fourth and newest ocean ship, Viking Sun, welcoming guests in Miami for the sold out 141-day itinerary, the company said in its press release. Viking Sun will spend nearly the next five months on the World Cruise, which spans five continents, 35 countries and 64 ports. During this journey from Miami to London, guests will first explore Cuba and the Caribbean, before sailing the Panama Canal to call on Los Angeles, the home of Viking’s U.S. headquarters and first West Coast port of call. Viking Sun will then sail to the South Pacific, Australia and Asia, where the ship will be christened in Shanghai on March 8, 2018. From there, Viking Sun will continue on with ports of call in Asia and then Europe, before finishing the World Cruise in London on May 5.
In addition to guests, also sailing on the World Cruise will be six casks of Viking’s own “Linje” Aquavit. In keeping with a Norwegian tradition that dates back hundreds of years, the Scandinavian spirit will mature in oak barrels during the sailing, crossing the equator (linje) twice as part of the maturation process. According to the tradition, it is believed that the moving seas and frequent temperature changes cause more flavor to be extracted from the casks.
Viking Sun will continue to sail the globe during Viking’s 2019 World Cruise. The recently announced 128-day itinerary from Miami to London, will visit five continents and immerse guests in the rich cultures of 21 countries from South America and the South Pacific to Australia and Africa. Like on all Viking itineraries, World Cruise guests will enjoy a complimentary shore excursion in each of the 64 ports and free unlimited Wi-Fi; they will also receive Business Class airfare and all gratuities and service fees, along with an extensive list of added-value inclusions in their cruise fare.
Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, have 465 staterooms and host 930 guests. Classified by Cruise Critic as a “small ship,” the all-veranda Viking Sun is the newest addition to Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet, which also includes Viking Star, Viking Sea and Viking Sky. Viking will welcome two more sister ships in the next two years, including Viking Orion® in summer 2018; with the arrival of a sixth ship in 2019, Viking will be the largest small ship ocean cruise line. Two additional ships are also on order for delivery in 2021 and 2022.
About Viking
Viking was founded in 1997 with the purchase of four ships in Russia and is now celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017 as the leader in river and small ship ocean cruising. Viking currently operates a fleet of 63 vessels, offering scenic cruising on rivers and oceans around the world. By 2022 the company will operate eight 930-guest ocean cruise ships and will be the largest small ship ocean cruise line.