With the European Union poised to reopen this week Viking is ready to restart operations, enabling a return to the river for cruise travelers. It’s that good news causing the end of my constant cut and paste of press releases during the global pandemic.

“We applaud the governments of France and Portugal for encouraging international travel while keeping public health a top priority,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, adding “Our guests are eager to return to Europe, with France and Portugal at the top of many travel lists. We look forward to welcoming guests back on board our Longships in France and Portugal in a few short weeks.” 

The move comes on the heels of a successful restart cruise operations with British guests in May and just after previous news when they opened Bermuda to Americans. There, a series of eight Bermuda Escape sailings are underway right now.

New summer and early fall 2021 sailing dates now available Viking’s Welcome Back river voyages in France and Portugal include:

River Departures – Voyages Beginning in July 2021

• Portugal’s River of Gold (10 days; Lisbon to Porto) – Experience the renaissance of Lisbon, newly invigorated with trending galleries and restaurants. Explore two of Iberia’s oldest university towns: Coimbra, Portugal and Salamanca, Spain. Roam the port warehouses of Porto. Enjoy traditional cuisine, wine and fado singing. Cruise the Douro River Valley, the world’s oldest demarcated wine region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our 10-day cruisetour includes a hotel stay in Lisbon and the added bonus of a visit to Spain. Multiple sailing dates July through October 2021.
• Paris & the Heart of Normandy (8 days; Paris to Rouen to Paris) – Explore Giverny and visit the beautiful gardens and charming farmhouse where Claude Monet lived and worked – the setting that inspired many of his masterpieces. Trace the footsteps of Joan of Arc in Rouen. Walk hallowed ground at Normandy’s American Military Cemetery and World War II beaches. Savor Normandy cuisine. This 8-day cruise along the Seine River celebrates history, art, food and customs in the country’s most dazzling urbane and pastoral settings. Multiple sailing dates July through December 2021.
• Lyon & Provence (8 days; Avignon to Lyon) – Tap into your inner van Gogh at an Arles painting class. Discover Roman Provence at Les Arènes amphitheater and the Pont du Gard. Explore Avignon’s Palace of the Popes. Excite your palate in Lyon, capital of French gastronomy. Savor Beaujolais wines. Hunt for truffles and see how chèvre cheese is made. Come witness the beauty that inspired artists like Cézanne and Chagall on this 8-day Rhône cruise. Multiple sailing dates July through November 2021.
• France’s Finest (15 days; Paris to Avignon) – Pay your respects at Normandy’s World War II beaches. Walk in Joan of Arc’s footsteps at Rouen. Luxuriate in Paris’s sophistication. Savor Lyon’s culinary heritage. Toast the Beaujolais vineyards. Explore Avignon’s Palace of the Popes. Celebrate the Provençal lifestyle. Art, cuisine, style, joie de vivre—if you love everything Français, this is for you: a 15-day journey that combines our popular Paris & the Heart of Normandy and Lyon & Provence cruises into one tour de force. Multiple sailing dates in August and September 2021.

Yes, it’s safe! Different In A Good Way

Those who sail Welcome Back voyages will also experience Viking’s industry-leading health and safety program. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Program was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking’s Chief Health Officer among other highlights:

Limited space is still available on 2021 summer sailings. Contact your travel agent for details or call Viking directly, toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464)

• Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corps—and most recently led Washington State’s medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Utilizing a full-scale laboratory installed on every Viking ocean ship—and a strong network of dedicated shoreside labs for Viking river ships in Europe—all guests and crew will receive frequent quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests.
• New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms.
• And additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing measures will provide further protection for Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey

A complete overview of the Viking Health & Safety Program can be found at: www.viking.com/health-safety.

Booking Details

On the horizon…

Later this month, Viking will launch Welcome Back sailings around Iceland and in the Mediterranean.