Viking Dominates Cruise Critic Editor’s Awards, Ranks First Place in Seven Categories for 2023

Viking was recognized today by Cruise Critic®, the world’s largest online cruise resource, by dominating the company’s awards categories. For 2023, Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards recognized Viking with seven awards across its luxury, river and expedition categories.

Overall, Viking earned more awards than its competitors, including two awards in the luxury category: Best Cabins and Best Spa. Viking has been honored in this category every year since 2015 when they debuted their ocean voyages.

The company 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.

Viking Dominates Cruise Critic Editor’s Awards

Torstein Hagen is the Chairman of Viking and he stated: “We are honored that Cruise Critic’s editors have recognized Viking with seven awards, including awards in the luxury category. Because the word ‘luxury’ can mean something different to everyone, we are reluctant to use it to describe ourselves. But we are always pleased when industry experts categorize Viking as ‘luxury.’”

He added “You could say that we are a bit different at Viking. We design voyages for The Thinking Person, with no children and no casinos on board our ships. Prestigious awards such as these showcase our team’s hard work and encourage us to continue delivering the meaningful travel experiences that set us apart.”

Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Recognizes Viking

Cruise Critic’s Editors’ Picks Awards are based on objective cruise expertise from its editorial staff as well as firsthand experiences and industry knowledge. Taken in conjunction, these perspectives help travelers select the best cruise vacation to fit their needs while choosing from a vast array of cruise options.

Here are select comments from Cruise Critic’s editors in regard to Viking’s seven top spots:

Best Cabins—Luxury: “Viking has created the blueprint for the perfect cruise ship stateroom. Without exception, cabins are spacious and comfortable, with exceptional attention to detail that includes heated floors in the bathrooms, mirrors that don’t fog, sockets and USB ports everywhere and verandas for all. It’s clear Viking considered every traveler when it was designing staterooms. We love the consistency from ship to ship and cabin to cabin, no matter what level.”

Best Spa—Luxury: “The LivNordic spa complex on Viking’s ships remains tops among luxury cruise lines. How can you not feel relaxed when you complete the Nordic circuit, which includes time in a sauna, steam room, snow room and thalassotherapy pool? Best of all, access to Viking’s thermal spa is included in your fare. Viking’s spa offerings have a natural Nordic blend that makes you feel that Scandinavian hygge, no matter where in the world you are.”

Best River Line—River: “Viking has earned its reputation as the leader on Europe’s rivers, where it sails with an enormous fleet designed in serene Scandinavian style. Ships are consistent, and instantly feel like home whether you’re sailing for the first or 100th time. Ships’ staterooms are thoughtfully designed, and cruises are inclusive of things like excursions and drinks at mealtimes. Viking’s expansion—including to places like the Mississippi River and Egypt—means there’s an itinerary for everyone.”

Best for First-Timers–River: “Viking wins Cruise Critic’s top choice for a first-time river cruise experience simply because of all the things the line does right. Its Longship fleet of ships is beautifully designed, and its crews are attentive and friendly. Food often has nods to regional specialties, and first-time river cruisers will no doubt love Viking’s attention to the little details, like heated bathroom floors and plenty of cabins with full, step-out balconies.”

Best Service–River: “For the world’s biggest river line, the consistency and quality of service never wavers – whether you’re in Europe, Asia or on the Nile. From the cabin stewards, to waitstaff, servers and the hotel director, service is front and center on every Viking ship – be it remembering your favorite after-dinner tea, sitting you in your preferred spot at meals or going out of the way to source a local wine. The crew onboard a Viking river vessel are simply exemplary.”

Best for Light Expedition—Expedition: “There’s no shame in wanting to relax in comfort, even when you’re on an expedition ship. And that’s exactly what Viking provides on its duo of expedition ships. At 378 passengers, the ships are big enough to contain extras like multiple restaurants, a fantastic thermal spa and a state-of-the-art theater. Two submarines and a [Special Operations Boat], as well as kayaks, allow for as much active exploration in remote destinations as guests like, accompanied by lectures that help make sense of what they’ve seen.”

Best Spa—Expedition: “Forget about utilitarian expedition ships: Viking’s expedition ships come with plenty of spots for pampering, including the impeccable LivNordic thermal spa complex. You’ll find a full indoor thalassotherapy pool—with a view—and a large steam room, sauna, snow grotto, cold “dump” bucket shower and experience shower, as well as heated ceramic chairs and padded loungers. Don’t forget the “Badestamp” a large, sheltered hot tub where you can relax and watch the Antarctic landscape go by.”

Viking Earns Seven Top Categories in Cruise Critic Editor’s Awards

Today’s Cruise Critic award announcement follows a long line of sterling achievements for Viking this year. In November they were named Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples and Best Line in the Mediterranean in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Cruise Lines ranking.

Additionally, Silver Travel Awards recognized Viking’s enrichment channel, Viking.TV (https://viking.tv), for its original content; for a third year in a row the company earned the Silver Standout for Innovation award. Silver Travel Advisor also voted Viking #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans in the awards’ Best Premium or Luxury Cruise Line category.

In October, Viking was voted #1 for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. At the same time, Viking was voted number one in the rivers, oceans and expeditions categories by Travel + Leisure.

As such, Viking made history as the only cruise line to receive these honors by both publications. Finally, Viking dominated Cruise Critic’s 2023 Cruisers’ Choice Awards, taking the top spots in six categories including Best Overall Line, Best River Line, and Best Dining for its ocean and expedition voyages.

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