Latest news with #VikingViking
Forbes
01-07-2025
- Forbes
Ocean Or River? Discover Which Viking Cruises Sailing Is Right For You
Viking ocean ship in London Viking Not all cruises are created equal—and that's especially true when it comes to Viking Cruises. Known for its refined, adults-only approach to travel, Viking Cruises offers two distinct types of voyages: river cruises that wind through the heart of Europe, and ocean cruises that span multiple countries and coastlines. Both experiences are top-notch, but they deliver very different vibes. So how do you decide which one fits your next vacation? It all comes down to what kind of traveler you are, how you like to explore, and whether you want the ship to be the destination—or the launchpad for it. Here's what you need to know to pick the Viking cruise that suits you best. Viking Sky in Geiranger, Norway Viking Viking's ocean cruises are designed for travelers who want to visit a variety of destinations without sacrificing comfort or enrichment along the way. These ships cover more ground than river vessels, often sailing between multiple countries on a single itinerary. Take, for example, the 15-day Into the Midnight Sun journey aboard Viking Jupiter, which sails from London to Bergen and includes stops in Scotland and the Norwegian fjords. You'll wake up in a new country every few days—but you'll return to the same spacious, all-veranda stateroom every night. Unlike most large cruise ships, Viking Ocean vessels are intimate and uncrowded, carrying under 1,000 guests. That means no casinos, kids, or waterslides—just serene Scandinavian-inspired design, quiet lounges, and spaces to gather with fellow travelers over a board game or cocktail. Guests have unlimited access to a full-service spa (including a thermal suite), a well-equipped fitness center, salon, library, self-service laundry and even a planetarium. Dining is a major highlight, with multiple restaurants offering everything from sushi to regional tasting menus. And between ports, you'll find a full slate of lectures, cooking demos, and cultural programming to keep you engaged. The main trade-offs? You may dock in shipyards or further outside city centers, sometimes requiring a tender or shuttle into town. But for those who enjoy sea days and want variety, comfort, and onboard community, Viking Ocean delivers a sophisticated experience. River Cruises: Immersive, Up-Close Exploration Viking longship on the Seine Viking If Viking Ocean is about the journey, Viking River is about the destination. These sleek, narrow ships are built to navigate Europe's iconic rivers, docking in the heart of each city or village along the way. You won't need a shuttle or a map—just step off the ship and start exploring. A great example is Viking's Paris & the Heart of Normandy itinerary, an 8-day cruise that sails roundtrip from Paris with stops in Giverny, Rouen, and the beaches of Normandy. You'll glide through pastoral French landscapes, dine on regional cuisine, and learn the history of each port from local guides. Onboard, the experience is quiet, elegant, and low-key. With just 190 passengers, river cruises foster a strong sense of community. The ships feature two dining venues and staterooms that are comfortable, if compact. Entertainment is minimal, but you'll be so busy ashore it may not matter. And because river ships travel at a slower pace and on calm waters, there's no risk of seasickness. The limited space does mean fewer onboard options—no spa or thermal suite here—and smaller closets, which can be a challenge on longer trips. But for travelers who want to maximize time in port and experience Europe like a local, river cruises offer unmatched intimacy and access. Who Will Love Each Cruise Type The Infinity Pool on-board the Viking Star Viking Choose a Viking Ocean cruise if you: Want to visit multiple countries in one trip Enjoy a variety of dining and activity options Like a mix of sea days and port days Appreciate onboard amenities like spas, lounges, and enrichment programs Prefer more space, both in your stateroom and around the ship Dining al fresco at Aquavit Viking Choose a Viking River cruise if you: Want to walk off the ship and be in the center of town Prefer historical and cultural immersion over onboard entertainment Are sensitive to motion and want a smoother ride Value quiet, community-oriented travel experiences Don't mind fewer frills in exchange for more time ashore Whether you choose river or ocean, Viking Cruises offers an elegant, all-inclusive experience that prioritizes meaningful travel and destination immersion. It all comes down to your travel style: Do you want the ship to be part of the destination, or a comfortable home base for exploring what's beyond the dock? Either way, there's no wrong answer—just the one that suits your next adventure best.
National Geographic
25-03-2025
- National Geographic
The best food and wine cruises in 2025
When it comes to cruising, there's a style, ship, and itinerary for everyone. Long gone are the days of massive buffets and sub-par dining. Cruise ships are now culinary beacons where guests can try new cuisines on and off the vessel. Every year, it seems the wine and culinary cruise options keep improving. Some of the best itineraries in 2025 include wine tasting on a river cruise through Bordeaux, sailing through the heart of the Columbia and Snake rivers for regional wine tastings, and cruising around the Mediterranean with the James Beard Foundation. (Related: How Gen Z and Millennials are making cruising cool again) 1. Explore Bordeaux with Viking Viking is known for its incredible sailings that take guests from big cosmopolitan cities to tiny towns down the world's most exciting rivers. One itinerary worth exploring for wine lovers is the eight-day Chateaux, Rivers & Wine cruise through Bordeaux, France. In just a week, you'll see the UNESCO-listed Port of Moon, enjoy a wine and oyster pairing, have the chance to learn the art of truffle hunting, and taste some of the sweetest wine in France in Sauternes. The sailing is on Viking Forseti, a 190-guest, 443-foot-long ship. Departures are from March through November and start at $2,499 per person. 2. Taste your way from Amsterdam to Luxembourg Explore multiple German wine regions on the Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle Wine Cruise with AmaWaterways. Throughout the seven-night itinerary, you'll sail from Amsterdam to Luxembourg, stopping at a handful of destinations along the way. You'll spend your first two days in Amsterdam, where you can enjoy some time on your own and take a canal cruise through a few of the 165 canals in the city. Before the wine starts flowing, you'll stop in Cologne for a Kölsch beer tasting. Then in Rüdesheim am Rhein, you can see the city from above on a gondola tour paired with wine. The cruise ends with a visit to Bernkastel-Kues for a wine tasting. Along with exploring vineyards and sampling the vintages, you'll also see plenty of castles, making this feel more like a fairytale than a vacation. There are two departures of this sailing, one in April and one in July, and prices start at $3,639. 3. A West Coast food and wine cruise Sail through the heart of Oregon and Washington on the National Geographic Expeditions Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History cruise. The eight-day cruise is limited to just 62 people. Highlights of the itinerary include a beer and oyster tasting in Astoria, learning about the Columbia Plateau from a geologist, and a private wine tasting in a WWII airplane hangar. Onboard, you'll be joined by two National Geographic experts who will share insights into the land, plus the executive wine editor of Food & Wine magazine, who can share more details about the wine region. 2025 sailings depart from March through October and start at $5,827. 4. Sail with the James Beard Foundation Windstar Cruises is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, which means menus onboard are created by James Beard Award-winning chefs and served nightly to guests. Throughout the year, Windstar also offers themed cruises where you can learn cooking skills directly from the chefs. Each sailing features chef demos, hosted dinners and wine pairings, a trip to a local market with the chef, and more. This year, sailings go to Canada, the Baltic , Greece, and Spain on seven to 12-day journeys from March to October. Prices vary based on the itinerary. 5. An onboard dining extravaganza Virgin Voyages is known for its boundary pushing, adult-only ocean voyages. One of the brand's premier events is its award-winning Eat & Drink Festival, which takes place this year fleet-wide from June 29 through July 27. This year's festival is themed to 'A Taste of Brilliant,' a tribute to the brand's newest ship, Brilliant Lady, which will set sail September 5. The festival is inspired by ports Brilliant Lady will call upon, including New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle. A few highlights of the themed sailings include getting a culinary passport to help you taste everything onboard, a new menu at the Korean BBQ restaurant (Gunbae) on every ship, and a new speakeasy experience. (Related: What to pack for a cruise) 6. Revel in Japan's unique dining experiences The ultra-luxury cruise line, Regent Seven Seas, is setting sail for Japan, and with it comes a host of new culinary experiences, dubbed Epicurean Explorer Tours. The extra-cost, cuisine-focused excursions are limited to 18 guests per session, so each one feels exclusive. One such trip is Regent's 11-night Japanese Traditions & Temples itinerary, which sails round-trip from Tokyo. On the voyage, guests can enjoy a chef-led culinary journey that includes learning how Japanese kitchen knives are made, dining on Kobe beef, and learning the art of teppanyaki in Kyoto. In Kochi, guests can join a chef to tour Hirome Market and learn about bonito. In Shimizu, join a chef for a tour of the Kashi-no-Ichi fish market and take a hands-on sushi-making class. This itinerary departs on October 28, 2025, and fares start at $9,599. (Related: Everything you should know before visiting Japan) 7. A new cruise ship with culinary prowess Oceania Cruises is launching its newest ship, Allura, in July. The new 1,200-guest vessel has one chef for every 10 guests, so the culinary standards onboard are high. The culinary team has created more than 270 new recipes for the ship's Grand Dining Room. But even more culinary adventures await on its 10-day Mediterranean Allure itinerary, which takes place August 5 through 15, with a route from Monte Carlo to Athens. Some highlight excursions include visiting a winery and an ancient villa near Mount Vesuvius in Sorrento, Italy; a cooking lesson and lunch in Rhodes, Greece; and a wine pairing lunch at Tua Rita winery in Livorno, Italy. Fares start at $4,505 per guest. Megan duBois is a freelance travel writer and editor based in Jacksonville, Florida. She typically covers theme parks, cruising, family travel, and group tours. Her work has appeared online and in print at publications like Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, Fodors, The Points Guy, Food + Wine, FamilyVacationist and more.
