Viking Sets New Benchmark in Premium Voyages, Celebrates Top Honors Across River and Expedition Experiences

Published on December 3, 2025

Viking has opened 2025 with a new wave of recognition, strengthening its position as one of the world’s most awarded cruise brands. The company announced a remarkable sweep of eight honors in Cruise Critic’s 2025 Best in Cruise Awards, earning distinctions across its Ocean, River and Expedition offerings. The accolades highlight Viking’s consistent focus on thoughtful design, cultural depth, and guest-centered experiences—qualities that continue to set it apart in an increasingly competitive global cruise market.

In the Luxury Ocean category, Viking achieved four major awards, including the coveted title of the top Cruisers’ Choice Cruise Line. This recognition underscores the loyalty and enthusiasm of travelers who consistently praise Viking’s service, ship design, curated itineraries, and emphasis on destination immersion. Guests have long admired Viking’s meticulous attention to detail, from intuitive cabin design to the warmth of its onboard teams. The award also reflects Viking’s dedication to port selection and shore programming, with travelers commending its diverse excursions and the expertise of its local guides.

Viking’s learning-focused approach earned further recognition as the line was named Best Enrichment in the luxury category. The brand continues to distinguish itself with programming designed for curious travelers—TED-style talks, lectures by Resident Historians, cultural workshops, and immersive experiences that transform each journey into an opportunity for discovery. Viking.TV and onboard enrichment venues extend these possibilities even further, demonstrating the line’s ongoing commitment to meaningful travel.

As remote work becomes a growing consideration for travelers, Viking excelled once again with the award for Best for Remote Workers. The quiet ambiance of its ocean fleet, paired with strong complimentary Wi-Fi and calming Nordic design, offers an ideal environment for guests balancing work and exploration. From peaceful corners like Mamsen’s and the Wintergarden to the open, light-filled atriums, Viking’s ships provide a seamless blend of productivity and relaxation.

Viking’s LivNordic Spa added another victory to its long streak of accolades, earning Best Spa in the Ocean category. Since the brand’s first ocean voyages in 2015, its spa concept—rooted in Scandinavian wellness traditions—has become a signature feature. Thermal suites, hydrotherapy pools, saunas and the distinctive snow grotto create an accessible yet elevated wellness journey that stands out in the luxury cruise industry.

The brand also shined in the River category, receiving recognition as the Best for First-Timers. Viking’s long legacy on the world’s great waterways, paired with its consistent ship design, seamless transfers, prime docking locations and attentive guest support, make it a natural choice for newcomers to river cruising. Travelers benefit from a worry-free experience that prioritizes ease, comfort and cultural immersion from the moment they book.

Viking was additionally honored as Best for Remote Workers in the River category. Its fleet of nearly identical river ships, strong onboard connectivity and serene onboard ambience allow guests to maintain work routines while enjoying the landscapes and rhythms of global rivers.

In the Expedition category, Viking achieved two further distinctions: Best for Light Expedition and Best Spa. The brand’s purpose-built expedition vessels combine advanced exploration capabilities with an accessible, inclusive approach to adventure. Features such as The Hangar—housing submarines, Zodiacs, kayaks and Special Operations boats—offer safe and efficient deployment into remote environments. Expert-led excursions, scientific programming, and thoughtfully designed public spaces bring exploration and comfort into perfect balance. The expedition-style version of the LivNordic Spa continues Viking’s wellness legacy with a rejuvenating thermal experience that guests value deeply after days spent in destinations like Antarctica or the Great Lakes.

These recognitions from Cruise Critic add to a growing list of major industry honors Viking has earned in recent months. The company was named #1 for Oceans and #1 for Rivers by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, marking the fifth consecutive year it has achieved this rare dual distinction. Travel + Leisure also awarded Viking its “World’s Best” title, making Viking the only travel company to simultaneously receive such distinctions from both leading publications. In the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Cruise Line rankings, Viking once again secured titles for Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples and Best Line in the Mediterranean. Additional praise came from AOL’s Best of 2025 list, and Viking’s ocean ships continue to receive “Recommended” ratings from Forbes Travel Guide’s prestigious Star Awards.

Viking’s new accolades reinforce its reputation as a brand that blends cultural enrichment, understated luxury and elevated service across every type of voyage. Whether sailing the rivers of Europe, exploring remote polar landscapes or journeying across the world’s oceans, Viking continues to redefine what modern travelers can expect from a premium travel experience.