Big news yesterday from Viking Cruises: River & Ocean combination sailings…and instantly I have the attention of cruise travelers who have done either or both separately. The new Viking Ocean & River Voyages pair a Viking River Cruise with a Viking Ocean Cruise and start in June.  In what looks to be a yearly offering, 2018 brings the first of two currently scheduled Viking River & Ocean Voyages.

Viking River & Ocean Voyages
2018
Port-Intensive River Before Ocean

Rhine & Viking Shores & Fjords sails from Budapest on a 15-day itinerary that explores six countries and 15 ports in as many days sailing.  Interestingly, this one follows a familiar pattern.  At rivers end, travelers would normally get off their Viking Longship and continue their onward travel, with some other service provider.  Instead, some of those 190 travelers will simply walk to their ocean cruise ship at the Port of Amsterdam.

Viking River & Ocean Voyages
2019
Ocean Before River

In 2019, Grand European & Viking Fjords is a 22-day itinerary that combines Viking’s classic Grand European Tour with six countries and 19 ports of call.

Interestingly, not mentioned here as they probably would be with any other cruise line: the ships that will be used for Viking River & Ocean Voyages.  That’s probably not an omission.  As mentioned here countless times, Viking river and ocean ships are exactly the same. It’s not going to matter which specific ships will sail these itineraries…well, other than Viking Longships on the rivers and Viking Venice class ocean ships in the sea.  Pack your bags.

See details below, direct from Viking Cruises.  For now, some scenes from other Viking River & Ocean Voyages

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Viking® (www.vikingcruises.com) today announced its 2019 Ocean & River Voyages, which provide guests the unique opportunity to explore Europe’s legendary rivers on an award-winning Viking Longship® before setting sail to Scandinavia on one of Viking’s award-winning ocean ships. Debuting in May 2019, the Grand European & Viking Fjords itinerary will sail Budapest to Bergen, combining Viking’s popular 15-day Grand European Tour cruise on the Rhine and Danube Rivers between Budapest and Amsterdam – with the 8-day Viking Shores & Fjords ocean itinerary, which sails the North Sea, between Amsterdam and Bergen. Viking will also offer additional departures in 2019 of the 15-day Rhine & Viking Shores & Fjords combination itinerary, which debuts in June 2018 and will sail between Basel and Bergen.

                “Our guests are experienced travelers who appreciate immersive cultural experiences, while also exploring the world in comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Only Viking can provide a destination-focused voyage that marries the river and sea into a single, unified journey. With one flight, our guests can experience both of our award-winning cruise products, making it even easier for them to explore the world.”

Ocean & River Voyages

                Starting in June 2018, Viking’s first two combination cruises will set sail, allowing guests to explore even more throughout Europe with rich cultural experiences in each port of call. With the new Ocean & River Voyages, guests can experience sailing through the heart of Europe on an award-winning 190-guest Viking Longship, as well as sailing the high seas on one of Viking’s award-winning 930-guest ocean ships. Full details on the new 2019 Ocean & River Voyages can be found on Viking’s website here and highlights include:

• Grand European & Viking Fjords – (Budapest – Bergen; May 26, 2019; June 2, 2019) – This 22-day itinerary brings guests to six countries and 19 ports of call. From the riches of Budapest to the pristine shores of Norway, guests will sail the Danube River into Austria’s vineyard-laden Wachau Valley and pause to explore Germany’s historic castles along the Rhine River. In Amsterdam, guests will experience Holland’s famous windmills before boarding one of Viking’s 930-guest ocean ships and sailing north, calling on multiple ports in Norway, from cosmopolitan Stavanger to breathtakingly scenic Flåm. Finally, disembark in the historic fishing village of Bergen, home to the iconic, colorful 18th-century wooden row houses and the Bryggen wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction. Inclusive pricing starts at $8,748 per person.
• Rhine & Viking Shores & Fjords – (Basel – Bergen; June 30, 2018; June 2, 2019) – Guests will experience highlights of the Rhine River and discover Nordic wonders by sea on this 15-day itinerary, exploring six countries and 15 ports. From artistic Basel to Germany’s storied Black Forest and Cologne’s iconic Cathedral, guests will immerse themselves in the experience of each city and discover its rich culture first-hand. In Amsterdam, guests will be transferred directly to one of Viking’s 930-guest ocean ships and will continue their journey in the North Sea to Skagen, Denmark, before sailing through Norway’s dramatic fjords and disembarking in Bergen, a city with deep Viking roots. This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction. Inclusive pricing starts at $6,348 per person.   

The Viking Difference

                Designed for discerning travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destination, with more time in port and more overnights. Onboard, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light. All-veranda ships mean that guests experience every day with a new, expansive vista. With the most al fresco dining at sea, featuring regional cuisines and always-available American classics, Viking’s guests can truly dine in their destination. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences onshore and onboard. And only The Viking Way brings guests itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences.

                In addition, Viking Inclusive Value provides a small ship experience at a big ship value and no nickel-and-diming – with every cruise fare including a veranda stateroom, shore excursions in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; premium dining reservations; Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service—an included value of more than $200 per person, per day for an average cruise.

Booking Details

From now through April 30, 2018, Viking is offering U.S. residents 2-for-1 cruise fares on select 2018 ocean and river cruise itineraries, with additional savings on international air. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel agent.