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Viking River Cruises News: Viking Sun’s Maiden Voyage Becomes Company’s First-Ever World Cruise

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Viking Ocean Cruises has confirmed it’s first-ever World Cruise. The line revealed its fourth ship, Viking Sun, will spend her maiden season sailing the company’s first-ever World Cruise, spanning 141 days and visiting five continents, 35 countries and 66 ports, with 12 port overnights.

Departing on December 15, 2017, this epic journey from Miami to London will allow guests to explore Cuba and the Caribbean and so much more. Guests of Viking River Cruises will sail the Panama Canal and the South Pacific and call upon ports in Asia, from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh Cit. Don’t forget the stops in the Arabian, Red, and Mediterranean Seas, before concluding in the North Atlantic.

Like on all Viking itineraries, World Cruise guests will enjoy a complimentary shore excursion in each of the 66 ports and free unlimited Wi-Fi. Those lucky travelers will also receive Business Class airfare and all gratuities and service fees, along with an extensive list of added-value inclusions in their cruise fare.

“Ever since our first ship set sail last year, we have been focused on bringing the destination back to ocean cruising. Our unique, award-winning approach allows our guests to explore comfortably, with experiences that enrich their lives along the way,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “This World Cruise is the most extensive and culturally immersive itinerary we have ever offered, and we are pleased by the early interest in pre-sales we have seen from our guests and industry partners.

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The ship is a grand vessel. Viking Sun will be the company’s fourth ship in the fleet and will be delivered in late 2017. It has been classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” but Viking’s ocean fleet features understated elegance and modern Scandinavian design. Features include:

·All Veranda Staterooms: Guests can choose from five stateroom categories, starting from a 270 sq. ft. Veranda Stateroom, all with private verandas and premium amenities that include king-size beds with luxury linens, large showers, luxury toiletries, heated bathroom floors and large interactive flat-screen LCD TVs with movies-on-demand.

·Two Pool Choices: In addition to the Main Pool with a retractable roof permitting any-season swimming, the ship will feature a first-of-its-kind glass-backed Infinity Pool cantilevered off the stern, allowing guests to swim surrounded by their destination.

·LivNordic Spa: In keeping with Viking’s Nordic heritage, The Spa onboard is designed with the holistic wellness philosophy of Scandinavia in mind—from the centuries-old tradition of the sauna to a Snow Grotto where snowflakes gently descend from the ceiling through chilled air. Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2016 named it one of the “5 best cruise ship spas.”

·Several Dining Choices: Viking’s ocean ships offer multiple restaurant locations and food choices—from fine dining in The Restaurant, which serves three full meals and the widest choice of culinary options, and the World Café, which serves international fare and regional specialties—to intimate dining experiences at The Chef’s Table, which offers a multi-course tasting menu complete with wine parings, and Manfredi’s, which features freshly prepared pastas and Italian favorites. Additionally, The Kitchen Table focuses on regional dishes from market to table; the Pool Grill specializes in gourmet burgers; afternoon tea and scones are available in the Wintergarden; and Mamsen’s serves Norwegian deli-style fare. Furthermore, with multiple choices for outdoor seating during meals, Viking’s ships offer the most al fresco dining at sea.

·Enriching Entertainment: Connecting guests to their destinations through authentic experiences is central to Viking in creating “the thinking person’s cruise.” Instead of casinos and water slides, guests are offered Viking’s Culture Curriculum® including: world-class lectures on history and art; tasting of vintage wines from their destinations; restaurant menus inspired by local cuisine; informative port talks; enriching Destination Performances featuring folkloric shows and musicians playing regional and classical music; an onboard cooking school allowing guests to learn how to prepare local specialties.

·Sustainable Features: Designed with the environment in mind, Viking’s ocean ships feature energy-efficient hybrid engines, hydro-dynamically optimized streamlined hull and bow for maximum fuel efficiency and equipment that minimizes exhaust pollution and meets the strictest environmental regulations.

Prices for Viking’s World Cruise start at $44,999 per person and include Business Class air, transfers to and from the ship, all gratuities and service fees, Viking’s Silver Spirits beverage package covering virtually all drinks onboard and all medical services. Viking Inclusive Cruising provides a small ship experience at a big ship value—with every cruise fare including a veranda stateroom, shore excursions in each port of call, dining in all onboard restaurants, and all port charges and government taxes.

Guests also enjoy many additional complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including free unlimited Wi-Fi; laundry service; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service. From now through May 31, 2016, each guest who books the World Cruise will also receive $2,000 in shipboard credit, $750 in spa services credit and $750 in onboard shop credit. Combined with Viking’s other inclusions, this represents a value of more than $22,500 per guest.

Images Via Viking River Cruises