Viking Guest Reviews

There are countless reasons to explore the world with Viking, from our exemplary service and cultural enrichment to our unmatched value. Listen as our guests share their experiences.

Viking Guest Reviews

There are countless reasons to explore the world with Viking, from our exemplary service and cultural enrichment to our unmatched value. Listen as our guests share their experiences.

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Be Curious

Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen shares three things his family encouraged while growing up in Norway—kindness, honesty, and hard work. And the fourth that he has come to add over time: be curious.

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Celebrating 24 Years of Exploration

In 1997, we began with four river ships in Russia. Today, as our fleet of river, ocean and expedition ships expands across the globe, we remain committed to exploring the world in comfort.

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Welcome Back to Europe

Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen welcomes guests back to a reopened Europe on June 18, 2021.

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Explore the Scandinavian designed spaces of our award-winning ocean and river ships with our engaging 360° ship tours, which allow you to step into the heart of our vessels virtually from the comfort of home.

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Welcome Back to the World

We invite you to reawaken your spirit of discovery and celebrate our return to sailing in 2021. Join us in exploring the world in comfort…once again.

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Discover the British Collections of Ancient Egypt

Enhance your Pharaohs & Pyramids voyage with our British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension, offering Privileged Access to rare Egyptian artifacts and exhibits at the British Museum, Highclere Castle and more.

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Explore Chavenage House, the home from the PBS series “Poldark”

The friendly, very personable, longtime owners of Chavenage House, welcome you into this quintessential English estate, tucked away in the picturesque Cotswolds.

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Tutankhamen and Highclere Castle

Uncover the fascinating history behind the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb by archaeologist Howard Carter and George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, and get an exclusive look at Highclere Castle’s collection of Egyptian relics.

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Explore Britain’s Great Homes, Gardens and Gin

Step inside the iconic British estates well known to PBS viewers, including Highclere Castle, the “real Downton Abbey”; Wolf Hall’s Broughton Castle; and Chavenage House, better known as Trenwith in Poldark. Beyond these impressive homes, learn the story behind the legendary Bombay Sapphire gin at its historic distillery.

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Churchill’s Britain

Discover the remarkable life and times of revered British statesman Sir Winston Churchill. During this 5-night London extension with Viking, gain Privileged Access to Cabinet War Rooms; visit Churchill’s private Chartwell estate and his birthplace at Blenheim Palace; learn how the British broke the Nazis’ secret code at Bletchley Park and much more.

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Viking Mississippi

Inspired by our award-winning river and ocean ships, this new state-of-the-art vessel will feature clean, Scandinavian design and public spaces that are familiar to our guests but have been reimagined for Mississippi River voyages.

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Highclere Behind the Scenes: Gwyn, “The Butterfly Lady”

Join Karine to meet one of the longest serving residents on the Highclere Castle estate. And join them on a journey of joy and firsts, taking delight in the smaller things in life.

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Viking: Celebrating Exploration and Growth

First, Viking invented modern river cruising. Then, we reinvented ocean cruising. Now, we are perfecting expedition cruising with journeys to the ends of the earth and closer to home.

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A Year in Books

Give the gift of knowledge with a special book subscription service from iconic London bookseller Heywood Hill, curator of Viking ships’ onboard libraries.

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Own Downton Abbey the film on digital, Blu-ray™ & DVD

You are cordially invited to bring home Downton Abbey! Viking is a proud partner of Focus Features’ hit film and we are excited to announce its upcoming release this holiday season, on digital November 27 and Blu-ray™ & DVD December 17. This partnership continues our long history with Downton Abbey and our expanded programs with Highclere Castle and the Carnarvon family.

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Flavors of the Mekong

History, culture and friends—all rolled into one delicious and creative feast. Explore the floating markets along the Mekong Delta and master the culinary art of rolling your very own Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Karine.

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Viking Longships Naming Ceremony 2019

During a festive naming ceremony in Basel, Switzerland, Viking welcomed seven new Europe river ships to its award-winning fleet, including six innovative Viking Longships. Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen is pictured with the ships’ honorary godmothers at the Picasso exhibition at Basel’s Foundation Beyeler museum.

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Romantic Middle Rhine

Experience the majestic stretch of the Rhine River known affectionately as the “Romantic Middle Rhine.” Winding past quaint villages and medieval castles, this idyllic waterway offers a window into the past and unmatched vistas.

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Viking Proudly Presents: The Chaperone

One was reaching for the stars. The other was reaching for her past.

From the writer and director of Downton Abbey comes the first theatrical release from MASTERPIECE FILMS | PBS. Based on Laura Moriarty’s beloved New York Times best-selling novel, The Chaperone reunites the writer (Oscar-winner Julian Fellowes), director (Michael Engler) and star (Elizabeth McGovern) of Downton Abbey for an immersive and richly emotional period piece featuring the story of Louise Brooks, the 1920s silver screen sensation who epitomized the restless spirit of the Jazz Age. In theaters March 29, 2019.

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Gothic Cathedrals

Marvel at the ingenuity and ethereal quality of Gothic architecture, a style inspired by a period when religion governed life and epitomized by Europe’s soaring cathedrals from the 12th to 16th centuries.

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The Impressionists

Learn the story of how impressionist paintings by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne and Degas forever changed the face of the art world and became a symbol of modern French life. Follow these iconic artists’ footsteps on a France river cruise with Viking.

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Top 10 Reasons to Reserve a Viking Longship Suite

Our elegant, award-winning Viking Longships are recognized for their innovative design allowing for river cruising’s first-ever true (two-room) suites. Complete with a full-size veranda, these Viking Suites offer more space and comfort, early check-in, a welcome bottle of champagne and more. Learn more about what the Viking Suite Collection has to offer.

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Top 10 Reasons to Reserve a Viking Suite

Whether you choose to travel with Viking by river or by sea, we bring you closer to your destinations on state-of-the-art ships. In addition to our refined onboard ambience and understated elegance, we are known for our graceful staterooms, including the first-ever true (two-room) suites. From more space and comfort to additional features and amenities, discover the benefits of reserving a Viking Suite.

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Highclere Behind the Scenes: Mike the Beekeeper

Join Karine and Finse as they explore the world of bees with Mike Withers, a thirty-year member of the Highclere staff, whose passion for these hard-working, misunderstood insects spans 60 years.

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Highclere Behind the Scenes: Pat the Painter

Meet Pat Withers, one of the castle’s favorite, most colorful characters, who came to Highclere as a teenager and never left. As the longest serving staff member at Highclere, she’s worked for three generations of the Carnarvon family.

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At Home at Highclere

Join Karine as she speaks with the Countess of Carnarvon about her new book, At Home at Highclere. Learn about what it is like to live in this stately castle, and its history, delicious food and dedicated staff.

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Koblenz Jewish Cemetery

Join Karine for the moving story of the Koblenz Jewish Cemetery, a sanctuary of reflection and a window into the history of a community and culture that were once nearly lost.

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Iconic Marksburg Castle

Painstakingly chiseled into the slate bedrock of a mountain peak, Marksburg has long stood as one of Germany’s most formidable castles. Step back into the Middle Ages with Karine as she explores the heart of this legendary stronghold.

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Schloss Mespelbrunn

Tucked away in the midst of a verdant forest is the exquisite Schloss Mespelbrunn. Take a peek inside as Gräfin (Countess) Hedwig Margarete shares her home, and learn more about the castle’s legendary past.

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Modern Aristocracy

The Löwenstein family is one of Germany’s cultural treasures. Step behind the scenes to meet Fürst (Prince) Alois-Konstantin and his daughter-in-law Princess Stephanie as they share family history and the secret behind the renowned Fürst Löwenstein wines.

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The Viking Experience

Journey through the world’s most exciting destinations with The World’s Leading River Cruise Line.

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Austria’s Hotel Sacher and Torte

Join Karine (and her beloved dog Finse) and step into the spirit of old Europe at Vienna’s iconic Hotel Sacher to learn the story behind the Sachertorte, its legendary handmade cake.

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Gothic Cologne Cathedral

Explore the history of this ornate architectural masterpiece. Towering over the Rhine, the majestic Cologne cathedral has been a beacon for pilgrims from around the world for centuries.

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Austria’s Göttweig Abbey

Journey to a working baroque abbey where Benedictine monks have worked and worshipped for more than 900 years on a hilltop overlooking the Wachau Valley, following The Rule of St. Benedict.

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Learn the Iconic Viennese Waltz

Learn the iconic Viennese waltz at Vienna’s oldest and most famous dance school, Tanzschule Elmayer. Watch Professor Elmayer teach Karine the basic steps in just a few minutes.

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Viking Onboard Experience

Tour our stylish ships, designed with understated elegance and comfort in mind. Spacious staterooms, indoor and outdoor dining venues and panoramic views enrich your travel experience.

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Viking Inclusive Value

With Viking, there are no hidden fees. One price covers most everything—port charges, Wi-Fi, meals, lectures, activities and shore excursions—plus hotel accommodations on cruisetours.

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Longship Staterooms

The streamlined Scandinavian design and generous amenities of the staterooms on board Viking Longships create a lovely place to call home while exploring the waterways of Europe. Find out why.

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Viking Astrild and Viking Beyla

Viking Astrild and Viking Beyla were custom built for the Elbe River. These sister ships include deluxe accommodations, streamlined interiors and many features of our Viking Longships.

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Viking Hemming and Viking Torgil

Custom built for Portugal’s Douro River, the intimate, state-of-the-art Viking Hemming and Viking Torgil feature several stateroom categories and lounges with floor-to-ceiling windows.

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Viking Ships of Russia

Our refurbished, elegant Russian fleet sets new standards of excellence in this region. Enjoy spacious staterooms and suites, an inviting restaurant and beautiful public spaces.

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The World of Viking

Immerse yourself in intriguing cultures and awaken your senses. Discover new horizons as you spend more time in port, giving you more opportunities to explore. This is the World of Viking.

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Viking Longships Christening 2016

During a festive waterfront Christening Ceremony in Amsterdam, Viking was proud to welcome six of its new Viking Longships to the award-winning and innovative fleet.

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Jewish Museum

Designed by New York architect Daniel Libeskind, Berlin’s compelling Jewish Museum provides an unforgettable journey through Jewish culture and a rich chronicle of memory and hope.

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The Berlin Airlift

Go behind the scenes at Tempelhof Airport, long closed to visitors, and learn about the famed “Raisin Bombers” and their role during the historic Berlin Airlift, the largest in history.

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Truffle Hunting

Join Karine in Bordeaux, France as she learns how dogs are trained to sniff out and unearth a treasured French delicacy, the rare and delicious truffle.

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Blaye Citadel

Step inside the historic Blaye Citadel with Karine. Louis XIV built this mighty fortress in the 17th century on the banks of the Gironde River to protect Bordeaux from the British.

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Bordeaux’s Clairet & Rosé Wines

Introduce yourself to some hidden gems of Bordeaux’s world-renowned viniculture. You will learn subtle differences in wine profiles and why the French treasure their bounty each summer.

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Camus Cognac: A Bordeaux Favorite

Go behind this famous brand to meet the head of the house of Camus. Hear the story of its logo and learn the family philosophy that has guided the company for five generations.

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Bordeaux’s Prestigious Wines

Venture into the fascinating world of Bordeaux winemaking with Karine. Meet a renowned Master of Wine and learn about regional favorites from local experts.

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Bordeaux’s Sublime Wines

Join Karine as she delves into the essence of Bordeaux’s most popular red and white wines with a local expert, learning some secrets of summoning a wine’s character along the way.

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Cooking with Karine: Steak Bordelaise

Join Karine as she learns the secrets of preparing Steak Bordelaise, Bordeaux’s celebrated and classic dish, with local gourmand, chef Georges Gotrand.

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The Wine Regions of Bordeaux

Bordeaux, France’s celebrated vineyard-laden province, is home to some of the world’s most prized wines. Learn about its different regions and appellations with Karine.

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Beijing Hutongs

To experience an authentic slice of real Chinese life, step into the hidden corners of the hutong alleyways, an ancient maze of traditional courtyard houses linked by narrow corridors.

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Chinese Medicine

For millennia, the Chinese have balanced their energy with tai chi, acupuncture, herbal medicine and more. Join Karine and learn more about their approach to healthy living.

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Chinese Porcelain

Join Karine as she learns about the history of Chinese porcelain, an art form created during the Han Dynasty and shaped by artisans from the Song, Ming and other dynasties.

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Chinese Superstitions

Why do many Chinese office buildings lack a fourth floor? What color attracts prosperity? Join Karine and learn about some of China’s time-honored beliefs.

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Cooking with Karine: Noodles

Watch as onboard Viking Chef Fong gives Karine a hands-on lesson that reveals some traditional culinary secrets that go into preparing the world’s finest noodles.

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Food in China

Venture into a Chinese night market to sample some of China’s most beloved delicacies. Join Karine and discover the secrets of hot pot, Peking duck, homemade noodles and more.

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Forbidden City

Karine helps reveal the heart of China’s greatest mystery. Once closed to all but royalty, now this legendary “treasure box” is open to guests like us.

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Secrets of Chinese Tea

Legend has it that tea was discovered 5,000 years ago. Learn about the beloved beverage’s place in Chinese culture, lore and medicine.

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Shanghai Acrobats

Dexterity and strength, passion and focus. Join Karine backstage as she watches some of the world’s most courageous artists perfect their gravity-defying acrobatics.

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Shibaozhai

Learn about mysterious Shibaozhai and the Bridge of Luck, beautifully situated in the middle of the mighty Yangtze. Join Karine as she unveils the secrets of this twelve-story temple.

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The Art of Calligraphy

In China, calligraphy is not just a form of writing but it is a revered form of art that dates back millennia. Join Karine and learn its timeless secrets from an expert calligrapher.

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The Story of Silk

From humble silkworms to beautiful custom silk jackets, learn how the most famous fabric of China is made as Karine takes you on a fascinating visit to a silk factory.

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The Three Gorges

Enjoy a scenic journey with Karine through China’s most dramatic region, the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges, and learn about some of the area’s residents, past and present.

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What to Do in China?

Have a little extra time on your own while exploring China with Viking? Karine has a few recommendations for you, from tai chi in Beijing to exploring Taikan Lane in historic Shanghai.

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Yuyuan Garden

Chosen by the wealthy Pan family as the location of their retirement home, the Yuyuan Garden is a serene example of a traditional Chinese garden—juxtaposed against the backdrop of Shanghai.

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Croatian Language Lesson

Learn a few useful Croatian words and phrases with Ivana, your Viking tutor. Živjeli!

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Blenheim Palace

Explore the ornate halls of Britain’s Blenheim Palace with Karine. This grand English estate, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, has close ties to the American Vanderbilts and is the seat of the Duke of Marlborough.

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Finse Comes Home to Highclere

This is a reunion unlike any other as Karine’s golden Labrador Finse returns home to Highclere Castle, the "real Downton Abbey,” and gets reacquainted with her brothers and sisters.

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Highclere Castle

Join Karine at the “real Downton Abbey,” the historic and renowned Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England, home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

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Visit Oxford & Highclere Castle

Travel with Viking to the hallowed halls of the University of Oxford, historic Highclere Castle, the “real Downton Abbey,” grand Blenheim Palace and the fabled villages of the Cotswolds.

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Visit the University of Oxford

Join Karine as she goes behind the scenes at the University of Oxford, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious educational institutions and alma mater to kings and presidents.

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Explore Europe with Viking

Sail Europe’s picturesque waterways in elegant comfort with Viking. Ranging from 7 to 23 days, our itineraries offer a wealth of unforgettable journeys across the continent.

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Bacalhau: Portuguese or Norwegian?

Watch as chef Rui Paula shows Karine his unique nouvelle cuisine twist on bacalhau, the beloved Portuguese national dish that is based on cod, one of Norway’s national fish.

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French Language Lesson

Learn a few useful French words and phrases with Maaike, your Viking tutor. À votre Santé!

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Thanksgiving in Europe

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Viking on November sailings. There is no better way to complement your succulent turkey dinner than with a stroll through one of Europe’s cultural capitals.

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The Holidays on Danube Waltz

Celebrate the holidays in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Enjoy splendid art, architecture, history and the festive Christmas market tradition in Europe’s most beloved cities.

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The Holidays on Paris & the Heart of Normandy

Unwrap the romance of France at Christmastime. Experience the elegance of Paris and explore the tranquil countryside, picturesque Les Andelys, medieval Rouen and the D-Day sites of Normandy.

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The Holidays on Rhine Getaway

Explore the timeless wonders of Amsterdam, Cologne, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, the Black Forest and Basel. From The Netherlands to Switzerland, this is an unforgettable holiday season experience.

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The Holidays on Romantic Danube

Discover the Danube’s delights in Hungary, Austria and Germany. From historic Budapest and stunning Vienna to medieval Regensburg, experience the holiday season like never before.

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Farmers’ Market in Libourne, France

Walk through Libourne’s bustling market with Karine and Chef Magalie of Viking as they shop for fresh fruits and vegetables to be served in the ship’s dining room.

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Listen to “The Traveler”

The National Symphony Orchestra of London records Viking’s beautiful new music score at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios. Written by Debbie Wiseman, Classic FM Composer in Residence, “The Traveler” was created to celebrate the company’s 20th Anniversary, its spirited theme reflecting the exploration and discovery found on Viking voyages.

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