Viking opens bookings for 2026 including new Viking Vesta

Also open are bookings for the company's 12th oceangoing ship, the 998-passenger Viking Vesta, set to join the fleet in July 2025, as previously reported, with inaugural season itineraries in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia.

New pre-/post-cruise extensions

Additionally, Viking rolled out six new pre- and post-cruise extensions beginning in 2024 and 2025. The company said these add-ons are increasingly popular; more than 45% of all Viking guests buy them.

The new, fully guided, three-night extensions are offered in Barcelona, Istanbul, London, Rome, Stockholm and Venice and feature Viking's 'Privileged Access' to museums, local cuisine for lunches and dinners, market visits and cooking classes, along with more time to personalize the journey with optional excursions.

Most popular ocean itineraries

Viking offers more than 80 ocean itineraries. Among the best-selling are 'Viking Homelands,' 15 days between Stockholm and Bergen; 'Ionic Western Mediterranean,' eight days between Barcelona and Rome; and 'Empires of the Mediterranean,' 10 days between Venice and Athens.

Further best-sellers include 'British Isles Explorer,' 15 days between Bergen and London; and 'West Indies Explorer,' 11 days, round-trip San Juan.

Viking Vela this year

Viking Vesta is the sister of Viking Vela, scheduled to debut in December this year.

From now through Jan. 31, 2024, Viking is offering North Americans the 'Discover More Sale,' with up to free international airfare, special fares and a $25 deposit, with additional savings for both new and returning customers on its river, ocean and expedition voyages.