Condé Nast Traveler

In 2024, Viking was voted #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards for the second year in a row. This marks the first time a travel company has won these three categories in back-to-back years, as well as the fourth consecutive year that Viking has won both the river and ocean categories.

Viking is also honored to have scored in the top of the list every year since the river category was introduced, including also being voted the #1 for Rivers in 2017, 2018 and 2020.

Travel + Leisure

In 2024, Viking was voted to the top of its categories for oceans, rivers and expeditions in their annual World’s Best Awards, marking 20 years of recognition since 2004. Viking was also named both the #1 Ocean Line and the #1 Expedition Line by Travel + Leisure readers in 2023.


In 2022, Viking was also named the #1 River Line and the #1 Ocean Line.

Cruise Critic

In 2023, Viking was rated the Best River Line in Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive time. Additionally, in 2019 Viking Vidar and Viking Lofn took first and second place respectively in this category. The Cruisers’ Choice Awards name the best cruise ships in the world, based solely on ratings submitted with member reviews published on the Cruise Critic website.

Women's Health

In 2023, Viking was named “Best River Line” by Women’s Health Magazine in their annual Travel Awards. Women’s Health Editors chose Viking for its intimate ship design and destination-focused sailings that dock in “the heart of town.”

Cruise Critic

For ten consecutive years Viking has been honored with awards including “Best River Cruise Line,” “Best New River Ships” for the Viking Longships, “Best River Cruise Itineraries,” “Best Enrichment,” “Best Shore Excursions,” and “Best for First-Timers.” Cruise Critic states, “In an expanding river market, Viking continues to reign.”

USA Today

For the sixth consecutive year, Viking was named “Best River Cruise Line” in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Nominated by travel experts and voted on by travelers, Viking was recognized for its “all-inclusive cruises, outside staterooms, WiFi, wine and beer with meals and shore excursions in every port.”

Newsweek

For the fourth consecutive year, Viking is honored to have been named #1 for “Best Customer Service for Cruise Operators” by Newsweek Magazine. The award highlights brands that provide the best customer service in areas such as “quality of communications, professional competence, range of services, customer focus and accessibility.”

Additionally, in 2021 and 2022, Viking earned the highest score within the overall transportation and travel industry category outranking dozens of other travel suppliers.

Cruise Critic

In 2018, Viking was rated one of the top European River Cruise Lines in Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards. The Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards highlight the world’s best destinations and cruise lines, based solely on member reviews published on the Cruise Critic website.

AFAR

Viking was honored once again as the #1 river cruise line in AFAR magazine’s 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards. Travelers chose Viking for its included daily cultural enrichment and destination-focused experiences.

The Points Guy

In 2021, readers of The Points Guy, a website dedicated to honoring excellence in the travel industry, named Viking “Best River Cruise Line” highlighting the destination-focused itineraries and upscale ship design. In 2020, Viking was also recognized as the “Best Small Ship Cruise Line” for both our River and Ocean cruises.

Town & Country

In the 2016 Town & Country Cruise Awards, Viking Longships were awarded “Best for Suites” and “Best for Design.” Town & Country editor remarked, “The simple Scandinavian design of Viking’s nearly 50 newly built Longships makes the best use of space we’ve seen.”

Cruise Fever

Cruise Fever fans named Viking “Best River Cruise Line” for the third year in a row in the 2017 Cruise Fever Fan Awards.

Porthole

Viking has been honored five times by Porthole Cruise Magazine readers, with awards including “Best River Cruise Line” and “Best River Ship.”

Cruise Report

CruiseReport.com honored Viking with “Best River Cruise Accommodations” in their 2016 Editors’ Choice Awards. Previously, Viking has been named “Best River Cruise Line” three times, and in 2012 was named “Best Way to See Russia.”

TravelAge West

In 2024, Viking Aton was named "Best New River Ship" by this prestigious travel industry publication in their WAVE Awards. Additionally, for the second consecutive year, Viking was named "Best River Line for U.S. sailings".

In 2021, Viking was also awarded “Most Creative New Virtual Programming” for Viking.TV, our award-winning, enrichment program that has been providing valuable content to our travel partners and guests from the comfort of their own homes since it’s launch in 2020.  Viking has also been named “Best River Cruise Line” eleven consecutive times (2006 to 2016).

Travel Weekly

In 2023, Viking Gersemi was named "Best New River Ship" by Travel Weekly. Viking was also named “Best River Cruise Line” seventeen consecutive times (2006 to 2022) by this prestigious travel industry publication in its Readers Choice Awards. Viking Tor and Viking Magni were also awarded “Best River Cruise Ship” in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Luxury Travel Advisor

In 2023, Viking was named “Best River Cruise Line” for the eighth time. This also marks the fourth time Viking was recognized as the first and only cruise line to win both rivers and oceans categories in the prestigious luxury trade awards: Best Luxury River Cruise Company and Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Company.

Recommend

For the thirteenth time since 2006, Recommend magazine awarded Viking “Best River Cruise Line” in its Readers’ Choice Awards.

Fodor’s Travel

Viking was honored on Fodor’s Travel 10 Best River Cruises for 2016, and in 2015 received the “World’s Best Cruises for 2015” award for its Legends of the Rhine.

Seatrade Cruise News

The River Cruise Innovation Award was presented to Viking in 2011 for our innovative Viking Longships. This was the first award presented to “a company, organization or individual who has provided an exceptional service, or product or initiative in the river cruise sector.”

Money

In search of the “Best Cruises for Your Money,” Money magazine named Viking the “Best River Cruise Line” for providing “the greatest choice of waterways, ports, and cruising dates…” while also offering exceptional value.

Condé Nast Traveler

In 2024, Viking was voted #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards for the second year in a row. This marks the first time a travel company has won these three categories in back-to-back years, as well as the fourth consecutive year that Viking has won both the river and ocean categories.

Viking is also immensely proud to have been recognized every single year since the launch of our ocean voyages in 2015.

Travel + Leisure

In 2024, Viking was voted to the top of its categories for oceans, rivers and expeditions in their annual World’s Best Awards. For the second consecutive year, Viking was named the #1 Ocean Line and #1 Expedition Line, as well as one of the best river lines.
 
In 2022, Viking was named both the #1 Ocean Line and the #1 River Line, reinforcing Viking’s position as a formidable industry leader. Viking was also recognized as the #1 Ocean Line from 2016 to 2020, overtaking the spot previously held by a luxury cruise line for 20 years. Viking is immensely proud to be recognized every single year since the launch of Viking’s ocean voyages in 2015.

Cruise Critic

In 2023, the Viking fleet swept the 11th Annual Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards earning six first-place awards including Best Overall Line (Small Ship Category). Viking’s ocean and expedition voyages also took First and Second Place, respectively, across two other categories: Best Cabins and Best Value for Money. Viking’s expedition voyages took First Place in Best Dining, followed in Second Place by the company’s ocean voyages. Additionally, Viking’s ocean voyages were named the Best for First-Timers. The Cruisers’ Choice Awards name the best cruise lines in the world, based solely on ratings submitted with member reviews published on the Cruise Critic website.

Cruise Critic

In 2023, the international team of Cruise Critic editors honored Viking with seven awards – more than any other line – across the luxury, river and expedition categories. Viking’s ocean sailings were once again awarded “Best Cabins” and “Best Spa”—an award Viking has won every year since introducing ocean voyages in 2015. Viking was also recognized in three river categories: "Best for First-Timers", "Best River Line"and "Best Service". Additionally, Viking received two awards in the expedition category: Best for "Light Expedition" and "Best Spa".

Newsweek

For the fourth consecutive year, Viking is honored to have been named #1 for “Best Customer Service for Cruise Operators” by Newsweek Magazine. The award highlights brands that provide the best customer service in areas such as “quality of communications, professional competence, range of services, customer focus and accessibility.”

Additionally, in 2021 and 2022, Viking earned the highest score within the overall transportation and travel industry category outranking dozens of other travel suppliers.

Men's Health

In 2023, Viking was honored by Men's Health Magazine in the category of Relaxation in their annual Travel Awards. Men's Health Editors highlighted Viking's wide range of international ports and inclusive value and touted that Viking has “No casinos” and  “No kids”.

Cruise Critic

For every Viking ship they have reviewed —Viking Venus(2021), Viking Jupiter (2019), Viking Orion(2018), Viking Sky(2017), Viking Sea(2016) and Viking Star(2015)—Cruise Critic’s team of expert editors has awarded their highest rating: 5 stars. They stated that Viking Sea “is a stunning vessel that seamlessly integrates comfort and modern, Scandinavian style. The ship's small size means it rarely feels busy and is able to get into ports bigger ships can't reach.” About Viking Star they noted her to be “one of cruising's most beautiful small ships.”

Cruise Critic

For the second consecutive year, Viking was honored as the Best Baltic & Scandinavian Cruise Line as well as Best British Isles & Western Europe Cruise Line. In 2018, Viking was also honored as Best Western Caribbean & Riviera Maya Cruise Line as well as Best Western Mediterranean Cruise Line.

U.S. News & World Report

For the fourth consecutive year, Viking has been named Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples and Best Line in the Mediterranean by U.S. News & World Report in the publication's 2025 Best Cruise Line rankings. Viking is honored to top this esteemed list and be recognized for its fleet of small ships, destination-focused itineraries and emphasis on cultural enrichment.

Time Magazine

Viking Orion was named one of the World’s Best Places to Stay for 2018. Highlighting an “out-of-this-world experience”, TIME praises Viking Orion’s onboard planetarium (the most advanced on an ocean ship) as well as onboard lectures on astronomy and space exploration led by resident astronomer Howard Parkin.

AFAR

Viking received two first place honors in the 2020 AFAR Travelers’ Choice Awards. Named “Best Mediterranean Cruise Line” and “Best Caribbean Cruise Line,” Viking was chosen for its elegant, small-ship design, culturally rich experiences and picturesque itineraries.

In its Cruising & Cruise Ships 2020 edition, Berlitz awarded Viking the top six positions in the Mid-Size Ships category.  In 2017, Viking Sea was awarded first in her category, noting her ‘many elegant touches’ and ‘excellent inclusive value.’ Viking Star, which was rated highest in her category in 2016, earned second place behind her sister ship Viking Sea.

USA Today

In 2022, Viking was once again named the “Best Ocean Line” in USA Today's 10Best Reader's Choice Awards. Viking was also named “Best Small Ship” in 2021 with Viking Orion taking the #1 position and Viking Sky and Viking Sea following suit respectively for 2020 and 2019. In 2020, Viking was also named “Best Ocean Line”, beating ships of all sizes, and earned first and second placements for “Best Dining.” Nominated by a panel of travel experts and voted on by travelers, Viking was recognized for its “destination-focused itineraries,” “top-notch service,” and well-appointed, all-veranda staterooms.

The Points Guy

In 2021, readers of The Points Guy, a website dedicated to honoring excellence in the travel industry, named Viking “Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” for the second year in a row, highlighting the destination-focused itineraries and upscale ship design. In 2020, Viking was also recognized as the “Best Small Ship Cruise Line” for both our Ocean and River cruises.

Town & Country

Viking received two honors in the 2017 Town & Country Cruise Awards. Viking Star, Viking Sea, Viking Sky and Viking Sun were recognized in the “Best Aboard” category stating “the spas on all four ships are the most beautiful at sea”. Viking was also recognized in “Best Sports Marinas” for its destinations.

In the 2016 Town & Country Cruise Awards, Viking Star and Viking Sea were awarded “Best Overall Contemporary Luxury Cruise Line” and “Best for Design Contemporary Luxury Cruise Line.” Town & Country comments, “The Viking ocean design philosophy holds that ships should be elegant and comfortable and never overwhelm the real purpose of cruising: to see the world.”

Luxury Travel Advisor

In 2023, Viking was recognized for the fourth time as the first and only cruise line to win both rivers and oceans categories in the prestigious luxury trade awards: Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Company (for the fourth time) and Best Luxury River Cruise Company (for the eighth time).

Recommend

For the third consecutive
year, Recommend magazine awarded Viking “Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Line” as well as “Best Mid-Size Ship” in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

Money

Viking was named “Best Ocean Cruise Line” in its class by Money magazine for exceeding expectations in cost, cleanliness, customer satisfaction and overall value.

Cruise Fever

Cruise Fever fans named Viking “Best Luxury Cruise Line” in the 2017 Cruise Fever Fan Awards.

Fodor’s Travel

Viking was honored to be named one of Fodor’s Travel “World’s Best Cruises for 2016.” 
Fodor’s Travel recognized Viking Star and Viking Sea for the “infinity pool off the stern, Snow Grotto spa room, luminous Wintergarden tearoom and all-balcony staterooms.”

Porthole

Viking Star was named for the first time as “Best New Breakout Ship” in the annual Porthole Cruise Editor-in-Chief Awards.

Porthole

Viking Star was honored for the first time as “Best Medium-Sized Ship” (500-2,000 guests) in the 17^th annual Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards.

Interior Design

The preeminent design competition – hosted by the industry-leading publication – celebrates superior interior design projects and products. Viking Star was honored in the 2015 edition, with the Living Room, Wintergarden and Explorers’ Lounge receiving special nods for their unique and stunning design.

Architectural Digest

In a roundup of the most luxurious and design-forward vessels sailing today, Viking Star took top billing.

Travel Channel

Rated among its best cruises of 2015, the Travel Channel honored Viking with “Best Mediterranean Cruise.” The cable network also recognized Viking for “living up to the reputation of its acclaimed sister line while offering perks all its own.”