12 Jul 2022
London, 12 July 2022: Following the recent announcement that Viking was named 'Best River Cruise Operator' at the prestigious Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards, Travel + Leisure readers have voted Viking® (www.viking.com) first in its categories in the 2022 World's Best Awards. Viking was named the #1 Ocean Line for ships with 300 to 799 cabins and the #1 River Line, making it the first cruise line ever to top both categories in the same year. Viking is also rated #1 for both rivers and oceans by Condé Nast Traveller; no other cruise line has simultaneously earned #1 in its categories from both publications.
Since 1995, Travel + Leisure, the largest travel magazine brand in the U.S., has invited readers to cast their vote for the World's Best in cruising with considerations in the following features: cabins/facilities, food, service itineraries/destinations, excursions/activities, and value. Viking will also be featured in the magazine's World's Best issue, which will be on newsstands in July; the full results of the 27th annual awards can be found at www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best.
“Thank you to the readers of Travel + Leisure for voting us first in these prestigious awards. We are proud to be named the world's #1 for both oceans and rivers. To be the first line ever to receive both awards in the same year is a very special honour. This achievement is the result of the hard work our Viking team members have put in over the last 25 years,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “In my view, it is now time to work even harder. They say that when you reach the top, there is only one way to go – at Viking, we say that way is onwards.”
Today's announcement follows a year of significant milestones as Viking celebrates its 25th anniversary. In January, the company launched Viking Expeditions and the first of two purpose-built expedition vessels, the Viking Octantis®, which is currently sailing its inaugural season in the Great Lakes. In the spring, the company also welcomed eight new Viking Longships® and a new ocean ship, the Viking Mars®. By the end of the year, Viking will have also welcomed a second identical expedition ship, the Viking Polaris®, and another identical ocean ship, the Viking Neptune®, as well as new purpose-built vessels for the Nile, Mekong, and Mississippi Rivers.
To make a booking or for more information call 0800 458 69 00 or go to www.viking.com
ENDS
Media contacts:
Viking UK Press Office: ukpressoffice@viking.com
Bryony Gammon: bryony.gammon@viking.com
Carys Bedford: carys.bedford@viking.com
Telephone: +44 208 780 7945
About Viking
Viking offers culturally enriching, destination-focused river and ocean cruises for travellers curious about the world, its rich culture and varied history.
Viking takes its guests on curated, elegant voyages to some of the most iconic rivers in Europe, Africa and the Far East, allowing a unique window on inspiring destinations and rewarding experiences. Viking revolutionised river cruising with the introduction of its state-of-the-art Viking Longships which, since their introduction in 2012, now make up 80 percent of its river fleet.
In 2015 Viking debuted its maiden season of ocean cruising and in May 2022 Viking took delivery of its newest ocean ship, Viking Mars, making it the largest small ship travel company. The sophisticated state-of-the-art Viking ocean ships can accommodate 930 guests on itineraries all across the world.
Viking has expanded its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of new expedition voyages. Viking Expeditions began sailing in January 2022 with its first vessel, Viking Octantis, embarking on voyages to Antarctica and North America's Great Lakes. A second expedition vessel, Viking Polaris, will debut in August 2022, sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic. Viking's custom-built vessel, Viking Mississippi, will debut in late 2022 and will sail voyages on the Lower and Upper Mississippi, between New Orleans and St. Paul. For the first time Viking was voted both the Best Ocean Cruise Line and River Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveller in the publication's 2021 Readers' Choice Awards. Viking was the only cruise line with the top scores in two categories in the same year.
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https://www.facebook.com/VikingCruisesUK/
https://twitter.com/VikingCruises
