During the past year, Viking won greater consumer and industry recognition than ever before. I attribute this to the efforts of our travel consultants, customer service team and onboard staff, all dedicated to providing our guests with the travel experience of a lifetime. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman
Viking River Cruises
British Travel Awards 2012
We are thrilled and very proud to win Best River Cruise Line of the Year 2012 for the fourth consecutive year.
The BTA's stamp of approval is especially important as it is voted for by both trade and consumers - and is based on their actual experiences.
World Travel Awards 2012
This is one of the most prestigious, comprehensive and sought-after awards programs in the global travel and tourism industry. Viking has been voted “Europe’s Leading River Cruise Company” for 2012.
Guardian Travel Awards 2012
We are thrilled to announce that Viking has won ‘Best Cruise Line’ at the 2012 Guardian Travel Awards. Design of ships, variety of destinations and high satisfaction are all reasons why Viking beat top names such as Cunard and Swan Hellenic.
Food and Travel Magazine Awards
Viking River Cruises is thrilled to announce that it has won not one but two prestigious awards from Food and Travel Magazine - "Best River Cruise Line of the Year" and the coveted title of "Best Cruise Line of the Year" for 2012. Fighting off strong competition from some of the biggest cruise lines, we were voted as the readers’ favourite.
Cruise Critic U.K. Editors’ Picks
The third annual Editor’s Picks Awards have named Viking “Best River Cruise Line” for 2011 - the second year in a row. Winners were selected by an international panel of cruise journalists who collectively spent thousands of days at sea, led by Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of Cruise Critic U.K.
Cruise International Awards
Viking was named River Cruise Line of the Year in the inaugural 2011 Cruise International Awards. Cruise International, in association with Classic FM, the Spectator, Cruise Today and Discover Cruises, tabulated 180,000 votes cast by cruise passengers to determine the winners.
Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List
Ranked by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, a premier monthly travel magazine, in the annual Gold List awards in 2012. Additional recognition was received in the annual Reader’s Choice awards in 2009 and Best Small Ships list in 2010 and 2011 (Feb issue). Also won in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
World Travel Awards
This is the most prestigious, comprehensive and sought-after awards program in the global travel and tourism industry. Viking has been voted “World’s Leading River Cruise Operator” by 167,000 travel tourism and hospitality professionals across the globe. Viking was also voted “Europe’s Leading River Cruise Company” and
“North America’s Leading River Cruise Company” for 2011.
Also won in 2009 and 2010.
Travel + Leisure World’s Best
Recognised by the readers of Travel + Leisure, a leading monthly travel publication, as one of the “World’s Best River Cruises”—in its 16th annual World’s Best awards. Also won in 2010 when this category debuted, and in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009 as a “Top 10 Small-Ship Cruise Line”. Viking was also honoured in the brand-new “Top River Cruising for Families” category.
National Geographic’s The 10 Best of Everything
Viking’s Imperial Jewels of China itinerary featured in National Geographic’s The 10 Best of Everything: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers, edited by noted author and world traveler Nathaniel Lande.
Luxury Travel Advisor Awards of Excellence
Viking has once again been honoured as “Best Luxury River Cruise Company” in 2011. As stated by the magazine, “Just being nominated is a hallmark of outstanding service, so winning is a true testament to the remarkable impression each company has made on the luxury travel advisor community.” Also won in 2009.
2011 TravelAge West WAVE Awards
Honored with 2011 Western Agents’ Votes of Excellence (WAVE) Awards for “Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising” and “Best River Cruise Line for Travel Agent Support.” Also won in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Award
Viking has been named the “Best River Cruise Line” by readers of this prestigious industry publication for six consecutive years. Also won in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Recommend Readers’ Choice Award
Readers of Recommend have awarded Viking “Best River Cruise Line” in the magazine’s annual survey of its travel agent readers—for the sixth consecutive year! Also won in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Budget Travel Magazine Readers’ Choice
Readers of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine have named Viking River Cruises as their “Favorite River Cruise Line” in the magazine’s October 2010 issue—thousands of subscribers cast their votes in the Reader’s Choice Awards to give Viking this honor.
Leisure Travel Leaders Awards
A total of 98,000 travel agents voted and Viking has been awarded "Best River Cruise Line." This reflects the top preferences of the largest number of leisure-selling travel agents in the U.S. Won in 2007, 2008 and 2009.