The cruise industry’s newest cruise line, Viking Ocean Cruises, has announced their first North American and Caribbean sailings. Beginning in September 2016, Viking will launch five new itineraries, calling in ports throughout Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. The new sailings will be offered aboard the line’s first ship, Viking Star.
The Viking Star, an intimate 930 passenger ship, offers a number of unique amenities, including all veranda staterooms, daily tea ceremonies in the Wintergarden, an aft infinity pool, the Norwegian inspired LivNordic Spa, and a collection of Italian, Norwegian, American, and locally inspired dining venues. Viking Ocean Cruises itself features a number of unique features for the North American market, including complimentary wifi, complimentary drinks during meal time, port enrichment seminars, a focus on longer port times, and an included shore excursion in each port of call.
âWe have always had a vision to reinvent ocean cruising â to bring destinations back to the forefront of the itinerary and to build ships that are designed to help our guests better explore their destinations,â said Torstein Hagen, founder and chairman of Viking Cruises. âWe launched our ocean cruises in Europe earlier this year, and just as the Viking explorers before us, we are now looking across the Atlantic for new discoveries. Our new itineraries in North America and the Caribbean will offer travelers experiences that broaden their horizons both on and off the ship.â
The new itineraries include:
In the Wake of the Vikings (15 days; Bergen to Montreal) â Trace the route of Viking Leif Eriksson, setting off from his homeland, Norway, sailing from the old mercantile city of Bergen to the rustic Shetland Islands of Scotland the Faroe Islands, once home to the Viking Parliament. Witness the magnificent natural beauty of Iceland and Greenland; then, as Eriksson before you, land at Newfoundland, where LâAnse aux Meadows reveals evidence of Norse settlements. Sail on to Quebec, with explorations of Saguenay and Quebec City, before arriving in Montreal. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $6,499 per person. Sailing Date: September 18, 2016.
Eastern Seaboard Explorer (13 days; Montreal to New York) â Witness the shores of Canada and New England come alive with fallâs vibrant hues during this once-annual sailing. From cosmopolitan Montreal, cruise the St. Lawrence River to French-flavored Quebec City. Learn about Canadaâs colonial past in Saguenay and about its Scottish and Acadian heritage on Prince Edward Island and in Halifax. An overnight in Boston gives you ample time to visit its historic treasures. Then, enjoy a rare crossing of the Cape Cod Canal en route to New York City, where youâll experience the highlights of Manhattan. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $4,999 per person. Sailing Date: October 2, 2016.
Eastern Seaboard to the West Indies (15 days; New York to San Juan) â Trace the Atlantic seaboard of the United States into the Caribbean, calling onan array of vibrant capitals and lush islands. An overnight in exhilarating New York City lets you take in its dazzling sights. Then explore Newportâs grand mansions and Baltimoreâs historic riches. Immerse yourself in colonial Jamestown from our port in Norfolk, and enjoy an overnight stay amid the coastal beauty of Port Everglades. Then explore the lush and lively Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos, Antigua and St. Thomas. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $4,999 per person. Sailing Date: October 14, 2016.
West Indies Explorer (11 days; San Juan to San Juan) â After time to explore the colonial treasures of San Juan, Puerto Rico, immerse yourself in the British, French and Dutch cultures of the Lesser Antilles. Take in the steep green hills of Tortola and Antigua. Explore settlement towns on St. Lucia and Barbados. Witness the rainforest beauty of Guadeloupe and the rich past of St. Kitts. And marvel at the French and Dutch sides of St. Martin and the splendid vistas of St. Thomas. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $2,999 per person. Sailing Dates: October 28, November 7, December 17 and December 27, 2016; January 6, January 16, January 26, February 5 and February 15, 2017.
West Indies to Iberia (18 days; San Juan to Barcelona) â Embark in colonial San Juan, and call upon the Dutch side of St. Martin. Then, enjoy a leisurely six-day trans-Atlantic crossing, savoring the offerings onboard Viking Star. Youâll make landfall on the garden-draped Portuguese island of Madeira and visit the French-inflected Moroccan city of Casablanca before exploring Spain in CĂĄdiz, Valencia and finally, Barcelona. Introductory 2-for-1 pricing starts at $3,299. Sailing Date: February 25, 2017.
Bookings for the new itineraries are now open. Through December 31st, U.S. residents qualify for a 2016 Early Booking Discount with up to $1,000 off 2-for-1 pricing on cruise departures, plus up to free all-inclusive airfare.
