With the 2017-18 version of Viking Ocean Cruises 141 day World Cruise sailing from Miami to London totally sold out, the revolutionary ocean cruise line is looking to 2019 for the next one.

“We offer itineraries that are designed for explorers, and our World Cruises are the most extensive and culturally immersive journeys available in the industry. Our first World Cruise is 100 percent sold out, and we are pleased with the initial response to our second World Cruise itinerary among new and returning guests,” – Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises.

Departing on January 3, 2019, the 21-country journey will mark Viking Sun’s second voyage around the world. The ship will spend much of her maiden season on Viking’s first World Cruise, which departs from Miami on December 15, 2017. Sailing from Miami to London, the new 2019 World Cruise itinerary allows guests to explore South America and the islands of the South Pacific; call upon ports in Africa, from Cape Town to Dakar; and cruise the Strait of Magellan, Tasman Sea, and the Indian Ocean before concluding in London. This one is 128-days and visits five continents, 44 ports, 10 of which are overnights.

Very Inclusive
As with all Viking itineraries, guests receive a complimentary shore excursion in each of the 44 ports and free unlimited Wi-Fi;
BONUS: World Cruise guests also receive Business Class airfare and all gratuities and service fees, along with an extensive list of added-value included features in their cruise fare.

2019 Viking World Cruise

The Viking Way of Exploration offers additional, optional excursions that provide unmatched insight into Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access visits to cultural institutions. Overnight stays in 10 cities allow World Cruise guests to delve deeper into destinations; and Viking’s Culture Curriculum® offers additional enrichment on board with regional entertainment and lectures, as well as learning opportunities as part of the new Viking Resident Historian program.

DAY	DATE	PORT
Day 1	Jan 3, 2019	Miami, FL, USA
Day 2-3	Jan 4-5, 2019	Cruise the Caribbean Sea
Day 4	Jan 6, 2019	Puerto Rico (San Juan), USA
Day 5	Jan 7, 2019	Scenic Cruising: The Leeward & Windward Islands
Day 6	Jan 8, 2019	St. George’s, Grenada
Day 7	Jan 9, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 8	Jan 10, 2019	Îles du Salut, French Guiana
Day 9-11	Jan 11-13, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 12	Jan 14, 2019	Recife, Brazil
Day 13	Jan 15, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 14	Jan 16, 2019	Salvador de Bahia, Brazil
Day 15	Jan 17, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 16	Jan 18, 2019	Armação dos Búzios, Brazil
Day 17	Jan 19, 2019	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Day 18	Jan 20, 2019	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Day 19-20	Jan 21-22, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 21	Jan 23, 2019	Montevideo, Uruguay
Day 22	Jan 24, 2019	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 23	Jan 25, 2019	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 24	Jan 26, 2019	Punta del Este, Uruguay
Day 25-26	Jan 27-28, 2019	Cruise the South Atlantic Ocean
Day 27	Jan 29, 2019	Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom
Day 28	Jan 30, 2019	Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom
Day 29	Jan 31, 2019	Cruise the South Atlantic Ocean
Day 30	Feb 1, 2019	Ushuaia, Argentina
Day 31-32	Feb 2-3, 2019	Cruise the Beagle Channel & Strait of Magellan
Day 33	Feb 4, 2019	Punta Arenas, Chile
Day 34-35	Feb 5-6, 2019	Scenic Cruising: Chilean Fjords
Day 36	Feb 7, 2019	Puerto Chacabuco, Chile
Day 37	Feb 8, 2019	Cruise the Pacific Ocean
Day 38	Feb 9, 2019	Puerto Montt, Chile
Day 39	Feb 10, 2019	Cruise the Pacific Ocean
Day 40	Feb 11, 2019	Santiago (Valparaíso), Chile
Day 41	Feb 12, 2019	Santiago (Valparaíso), Chile
Day 42	Feb 13, 2019	Cruise the Pacific Ocean
Day 43	Feb 14, 2019	Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile
Day 44-47	Feb 15-18, 2019	Cruise the Pacific Ocean
Day 48	Feb 19, 2019	Easter Island, Chile
Day 49-54	Feb 20-25, 2019	Cruise the Pacific Ocean
Day 55	Feb 26, 2019	Tahiti (Papeete), French Polynesia
Day 56	Feb 27, 2019	Bora Bora (Vaitape), French Polynesia
Day 57-61	Feb 28, 2019	Cruise the Pacific Ocean & Cross the International Date Line
Day 62	Mar 6, 2019	Bay of Islands (Russell), New Zealand
Day 63	Mar 7, 2019	Auckland, New Zealand
Day 64	Mar 8, 2019	Auckland, New Zealand
Day 65	Mar 9, 2019	Cruise the Pacific Ocean
Day 66	Mar 10, 2019	Wellington, New Zealand
Day 67-70	Mar 11-14, 2019	Cruise the Te Wāhipounamu & the Tasman Sea
Day 71	Mar 15, 2019	Sydney, Australia
Day 72	Mar 16, 2019	Sydney, Australia
Day 73	Mar 17, 2019	Sydney, Australia
Day 74	Mar 18, 2019	Cruise the Tasman Sea
Day 75	Mar 19, 2019	Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Day 76	Mar 20, 2019	Cruise the Bass Strait
Day 77	Mar 21, 2019	Melbourne (Geelong), Australia
Day 78	Mar 22, 2019	Cruise the Bass Strait & the Great Australian Bight
Day 79	Mar 23, 2019	Adelaide, Australia
Day 80-81	Mar 24-25, 2019	Cruise the Great Australian Bight
Day 82	Mar 26, 2019	Albany, Australia
Day 83	Mar 27, 2019	Perth (Fremantle), Australia
Day 84	Mar 28, 2019	Perth (Fremantle), Australia
Day 85-92	Mar 29, 2019	Cruise the Indian Ocean
Day 93	Apr 6, 2019	Port Louis, Mauritius
Day 94	Apr 7, 2019	Cruise the Indian Ocean
Day 95	Apr 8, 2019	Fort Dauphin, Madagascar
Day 96-97	Apr 9-10, 2019	Cruise the Mozambique Channel
Day 98	Apr 11, 2019	Maputo, Mozambique
Day 99	Apr 12, 2019	Durban, South Africa
Day 100	Apr 13, 2019	Durban, South Africa
Day 101	Apr 14, 2019	Durban, South Africa
Day 102	Apr 15, 2019	East London, South Africa
Day 103	Apr 16, 2019	Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Day 104	Apr 17, 2019	Cruise the Indian Ocean
Day 105	Apr 18, 2019	Cape Town, South Africa
Day 106	Apr 19, 2019	Cape Town, South Africa
Day 107	Apr 20, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 108	Apr 21, 2019	Lüderitz, Namibia
Day 109	Apr 22, 2019	Walvis Bay, Namibia
Day 110-116	Apr 23-29, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 117	Apr 30, 2019	Dakar, Senegal
Day 118-119	May 1-2, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 120	May 3, 2019	Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Day 121	May 4, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 122	May 5, 2019	Casablanca, Morocco
Day 123	May 6, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 124	May 7, 2019	Vigo, Spain
Day 125-126	May 8-9, 2019	Cruise the Atlantic Ocean
Day 127	May 10, 2019	London (Greenwich), England
Day 128	May 11, 2019	London (Greenwich), England

Hightlights of the 2019 Viking World Cruise include

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Peak of Brazilian Culture—During an overnight stay in the historic city of Rio de Janeiro, guests can visit Corcovado Mountain and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue before relaxing on the scenic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches of the coastal metropolis.
• Port Stanley, Falkland Islands: Islas Malvinas—This remote archipelago, also known as Islas Malvinas, is comprised of nearly 200 small islands and home to less than 4,000 people. Renowned for their maritime history, guests can learn the rich history of the Falkland Islands while visiting the capital, Port Stanley, and experience the abundant wildlife of the surrounding waters including penguins, dolphins, seals and orcas.
• Ushuaia, Argentina: “End of the World”—Perched on a steep hill on the southernmost tip of South America, commonly referred to as the “End of the World,” guests can explore the scenery of Ushuaia through excursions to the nearby Escondido and Fagnano Lakes, and the Tierra del Fuego National Park, which was first inhabited by humans 10,000 years ago.
• Easter Island, Chile: Isolated in Mystery—Resting 1,200 miles from its nearest neighbors, Easter Island is the world’s most remote inhabited island. Guests will visit the island’s famed archaeological sites, including the nearly 900 monumental Moai stone head statues, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Rapa Nui National Park.
• Milford Sound, New Zealand: Astonishing Landscape—Guests will have the opportunity to sail the breathtaking waterway of New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park in Milford Sound. Stretching for almost 10 miles, from the Tasman Sea into a wonderland of alpine peaks, the landscape features monolithic granite walls and waterfalls as tall as skyscrapers.
• Hobart, Tasmania: An Island of History and Wilderness—Capital of Australia’s island state of Tasmania, Hobart sits nestled amongst the foothills of Mount Wellington and at the entrance to the Derwent River, and offers guests the chance to learn about its UNESCO World Heritage sites, including historic convict locations and a unique wilderness area.
• Maputo, Mozambique: Wildlife Abounds—While visiting this Indian Ocean port, guests can experience the preserved Portuguese colonial architecture and local markets in this historic city, before venturing to Kruger National Park for an overnight safari and a chance to view the “Big 5:” lions, African elephants, African leopards, Cape buffalo and rhinoceros.
• Cape Town, South Africa: Cultural Riches—An overnight stay in Cape Town helps guests explore this city in-depth. Guests can appreciate the picturesque landscape from the monolithic wonder, Table Mountain, enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting at the Vineyards of Stellenbosch, or stay in the city to witness an array of historic architecture and delicious cuisine.
  Viking Sun

Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can accommodate 930 guests. Viking will welcome three more sister ships in the next two years to its award-winning fleet, including Viking Sun. By 2019 it will be the largest small ship ocean cruise line. Two additional ships are also on order for delivery in 2021 and 2022. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” Viking’s ocean fleet features modern Scandinavian design with elegant touches, intimate spaces and attention to detail. Highlights include:

• All Veranda Staterooms: Guests can choose from five stateroom categories, starting from 270 sq. ft. and all with private verandas. Premium amenities include actual king-size beds with luxury linens, generously proportioned closets, large interactive flat-screen LCD TVs with movies-on-demand, unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi and bathrooms with large showers, premium Freyja® bath products and heated floors.
• Penthouse Verandah Suites: There are 16 of them up on deck eight, just behind the upper level of the Explorer’s Lounge. These are my personal favorite of all staterooms on all ships.
• Explorer Suites: The ships feature 14 Explorer Suites, which are two-room suites ranging from 757 to 1,163 sq. ft. that offer expansive views from wrap-around private verandas as well as the most amenities and privileges of any category on board.
• Two Pool Choices: In addition to the Main Pool with a retractable roof permitting any-season swimming, the ships 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 on board 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 2017 named it one of the “5 best cruise ship spas.”
• Explorers’ Lounge and Mamsen’s:  Mamsen’s gourmet deli is a thoughtful space located at the bow of the ship and designed to represent the Scandinavian spirit for complete relaxation and for marveling at sweeping views through double-height windows.
• The Wintergarden: Guests looking for serenity will find it in the Wintergarden. In this elegant space under a canopy of Scandinavian trellised wood, guests can indulge in afternoon tea service.
• Dining Choices: Viking’s ships offer eight dining options, all with no additional charge or fee—from fine dining in The Restaurant, which serves three full meals and a variety  of culinary options, and the World Café, which features  international fare and regional specialties including a sushi and seafood cold bar—to intimate alternative dining experiences at The Chef’s Table, which offers  a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings, and Manfredi’s, which features  freshly prepared pastas and Italian favorites. The Pool Grill specializes in gourmet burgers, while afternoon tea and scones are available in the Wintergarden. Mamsen serves Norwegian deli-style fare, and complimentary 24-hour room service allows all guests to enjoy many signature dishes in the comfort of their stateroom. Furthermore, with multiple choices for outdoor seating during meals, Viking’s ocean ships offer the most al fresco dining at sea. Additionally, The Kitchen Table specializes in regional dishes from market to table
• Cultural Enrichment: Viking experiences from ship to shore are designed for unparalleled access and cultural enrichment. Viking Resident Historians deliver high-level historical and cultural education specific to the journey, offering invaluable insight into the rich history of the destination. Guest Lecturers who are experts in their fields shed light on the destination’s art, architecture, music, geopolitics, the natural world and more. Destination Performances represent the most iconic cultural performing arts of the region—whether it be Italian opera or Portuguese fado. Resident Classical Musicians—pianists, guitarists, violinists, and flautists—perform classical compositions throughout the ships. And Culinary Classes in The Kitchen Table, Viking’s onboard cooking school, focus on regional cuisine.
• Nordic Inspiration: Even the smallest details take their inspiration from the exploratory spirit of the original Vikings, reflecting deeply held Nordic traditions. Light wood grains, touches of slate and teak, Swedish limestone and fragrant juniper appear throughout the public spaces and Spa. The Clinker-built design of the Viking Bar mirrors the construction style of the original Viking Longships. A Viking Heritage Center provides history and context from the Viking Age. And characters from Norse Mythology are subtly incorporated into the design, providing curious guests with inspiration to further explore Viking’s Nordic heritage.
• Sustainable Features: Designed to be environmentally friendly, Viking’s ships feature energy-efficient hybrid engines, hydro-dynamically optimized streamlined hull and bow for maximum fuel efficiency and equipment that reduces exhaust pollution and meets the strictest worldwide environmental regulations.

This is one of the main reasons I buy lottery tickets.   Prices for Viking’s World Cruise start at $49,995 per person.

…but that includes Business Class air, transfers to and from the ship, all gratuities and service fees, complimentary visa service, free luggage shipping services for embarkation, and Viking’s Silver Spirits beverage package covering virtually all drinks on board.

 

Bonus Time-Sensitive Deal: From now through September 30, 2017, each guest who books the World Cruise will also receive $2,000 in shipboard credit, which can be used toward optional tours, spa services, onboard shops and beverages. Viking Explorer Society members receive an additional $1,000 in onboard credit and added exclusive Viking Explorer Society member savings, if they book before September 30, 2017. Combined with Viking’s other inclusions, this represents a value of more than $20,000 per guest. For additional booking details, contact a travel agent or call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464).

 

““Our guests are experienced travelers who want to explore the world in comfort. As we continue to expand our offerings around the world, we will remain true to our guests—with an award-winning fleet design, the highest industry accolades and far more included value than any competitor.” – Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises.