Viking has announced its new “2021-2022 Viking World Cruise,” a 136-day itinerary visiting 27 countries and 56 ports, with overnight stays in 11 iconic cities. The cruise, departing on December 24, 2021, from Fort Lauderdale, will include three new ports of call for Viking, including Phillip Island and Eden, Australia, and Yangon, Myanmar.
Sailing on the award-winning Viking Star, with a capacity for 930 passengers, the epic voyage will explore ports of call in Central America; transit the Panama Canal; travel up the west coast of North America before crossing the Pacific Ocean and stopping in Hawaii; visit New Zealand and Australia; and sail through Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean before concluding in London. Guests can also choose a shorter, 119-day sailing option, “Viking World Horizons 2022,” departing Los Angeles on January 10, 2022, visiting 22 countries and 49 ports before ending in London. “Viking World Cruise” passengers will also receive the complimentary option to stay on board for three additional days and disembark at the ship’s home port of Bergen, Norway.
“For more than 20 years, we have been committed to providing our guests with immersive and culturally enriching experiences as they travel the world in comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, President of Viking. “This has been an unusual year for all travelers, but we remain focused on the future and are excited to offer our guests a new destination-focused cruise in 2021-2022.” The new Viking World Cruise itinerary visits iconic cities and ports on a continuous journey. Overnight stays in 11 iconic cities allow guests to further explore Yangon, Myanmar; Auckland, New Zealand; Singapore; Mumbai, India; Luxor, Egypt; Haifa, Israel; and Istanbul, Turkey. During their time on board, Viking also offers cultural enrichment through lectures and onboard entertainment, such as Viking’s Resident Historian program, which provides guests with extensive, high-level historical and cultural information specific to their voyage. Highlights of the new itinerary include:
- Phillip Island, Australia (new): Guests will enjoy some of Australia's most spectacular scenery and diverse flora and fauna, including the island's famous little penguins. At sunset each evening on Summerland Beach, the little penguins return to shore, and guests can safely watch them parade from elevated viewing points.
- Eden, Australia (new): Located on Twofold Bay, the town of Eden was once home to Australia's whaling industry. Guests will explore modern-day Eden and the Sapphire Coast, now famous for its conservation efforts to protect the whale population.
- Yangon, Myanmar (new): Three days in Yangon, Myanmar, once the British colony known as Burma. In Myanmar's largest city, you can visit Shwedagon Pagoda, a golden monument and one of Buddhism's holiest sites, explore colonial architecture, or admire the beautiful scenery. From magnificent temples and the floating villages of Inle Lake to the royal city of Mandalay, there's something for everyone during this port of call.
- Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii: from historic landmarks to world-class shopping on the island of Oahu, the pristine beaches of Waikiki Beach or Pearl Harbor, where the tragic events of December 7, 1941 unfolded.
- Komodo Island, Indonesia: Komodo National Park and Tamarind Forest, home to the famous Komodo dragon. In addition to wildlife viewing, passengers will have the opportunity to explore Pink Beach, named for its pink coral sand.
- London (Tilbury), England: final destination of the cruise with easy access to the sights of the royal capital, including the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Viking has been voted the number 1 ocean cruise line for the fifth year in a row by Travel + Leisure readers.
