Cruise Critic Editors’ Pick – 2011
Cruise Critic Editors chose Viking River Cruises Best River Cruise Line! “Viking River Cruises has always been a well-respected line whose standout quality was the range of its itineraries.... Couple that with a new emphasis on contemporary ship design and an aggressive revamping of its fleet, and Viking becomes the best in the business.”
Travel + Leisure World’s Best – 2011
Recognized 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 honored in the brand-new “Top River Cruising for Families” category.
Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List – 2011
Ranked by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, a premier monthly travel magazine, in the annual Gold List awards in 2011. 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 and 2010.
Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards – 2011
In 2011, Viking was recognized by the 5th annual Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards in its brand-new “Rivercruise Innovation” category. Seatrade is a well-established international cruise and maritime organization based in the U.K.
World Travel Awards – 2010
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 2010.
Also won in 2009.
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 – 2011
Viking has once again been honored as “Best Luxury River Cruise Company.” 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.
TravelAge West WAVE Awards – 2011
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.
British Travel Awards – 2011
Viking has been named “Best River Cruise Line” in the 2011 British Travel Awards—its third consecutive award. Based on votes by tens of thousands of travel consumers, agents and industry professionals, the awards are considered the authority on travel industry performance in the U.K.
Cruise International Awards – 2011
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.
Cruise Critic U.K. Editors’ Picks – 2011
Viking has been named “Best River Cruise Line” for 2011 by Cruise Critic U.K. Editor’s Picks—for the second year in a row. Winners were selected by an international panel of cruise journalists, led by editor-in-chief Carolyn Spencer Brown, who collectively spent thousands of days at sea.
Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Award – 2011
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 – 2011
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.
Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice – 2011
Viking was honored as “Best River Cruise” line in the 13th annual Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards. Porthole Cruise Magazine features travel and cruise tips and insights for savvy travelers—and their travel agents—worldwide. Also won this honor in 2008 and 2010.
Budget Travel Magazine Readers’ Choice – 2011
Readers of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine have named Viking River Cruises as their “Favorite River Cruise Line” in the magazine’s November 2011 issue—thousands of subscribers cast their votes in the Reader’s Choice Awards to give Viking this honor. Also won in 2010.
Leisure Travel Leaders Awards – 2009
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.