Condé Nast Traveller

In 2025, Viking was voted #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans in Condé Nast Traveller’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. In 2023, Viking was also voted #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions marking the first time a travel company has won all three categories simultaneously.

The Times

Viking is honored to be named ‘Best River Cruise Operator’ in The Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards 2024. The awards are voted for by readers of The Times, Britain’s oldest national daily newspaper, and its sister title The Sunday Times, currently the biggest selling quality print newspapers in the UK.

Cruise Critic

In the 2024 UK Best in Cruise Awards, Cruise Critic honoured Viking with eight awards across the Luxury (Ocean), River and Expedition categories. Cruise Critic UK’s Best in Cruise Awards recognise the best cruise lines and destinations of the year, as selected by the site’s team of experts, as well as the most highly rated cruise lines of the year, based on reviews submitted to Cruise Critic by travellers themselves.

British Travel Awards

Viking was again named the ‘Best River Cruise Line’ in the 2023 British Travel Awards. The British Travel Awards honour excellence in travel and tourism based on ratings submitted by registered travelers.
 

Cruise & Ferry Review

In 2020, Viking Longship Einar was awarded the highest honour in Cruise & Ferry’s first-ever ‘Ship of the Year’ awards. Voted on by readers in over 50 countries, Viking Einar was highlighted as a game-changer in its category.

Silver Travel Advisor

For the seventh time, Viking has received top honours in the Silver Travel Awards. In 2024 Viking was named “Best Premium or Luxury River Cruise Line.”

Viking was awarded Silver Travel Advisor's Silver standout for innovation Award for Viking's quality of work on Viking.TV in 2023, 2022 and 2020.

Food and Travel

In Food & Travel Magazine’s annual Reader Awards, Viking was awarded ‘River Cruise Line of the Year’ for the tenth consecutive year solidifying Viking as an industry leader at the top of its field.
 

Cruise International

Respected as one of the most prestigious consumer awards in the cruise industry, Cruise International awarded Viking as both the ‘Best River Cruise Line’ and ‘Best Cruise Line’ overall in their ninth annual British Cruise Awards.

Wave Awards

Based on responses submitted by avid travellers and industry experts, Viking was again named ‘Favourite River Cruise Line’ in the 2024 WAVE Awards.

The Telegraph

Viking is honored to be named “Best Boutique Ocean Line” in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards. Viking previously won this biennial award in 2023. The awards are voted on by readers of The Telegraph and highlight Viking’s on-board spa and wellness offerings as well as “lectures and excursions allowing passengers to gain a deeper understanding of each destination.”

Condé Nast Traveller

In 2025, Viking was voted #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans in Condé Nast Traveller’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. In 2023, Viking was also voted #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions marking the first time a travel company has won all three categories simultaneously.

The Times

Viking was named ‘Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Operator’ in The Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards 2024, and ‘Best Boutique Cruise Line’ in the 2020 awards. The awards are voted for by readers of The Times, Britain’s oldest daily newspaper, and its sister title The Sunday Times, currently the biggest selling quality print newspapers in the UK.

Cruise Critic

In the 2024 UK Best in Cruise Awards, Cruise Critic honoured Viking with eight awards across the Luxury (Ocean), River and Expedition categories. Cruise Critic UK’s Best in Cruise Awards recognise the best cruise lines and destinations of the year, as selected by the site’s team of experts, as well as the most highly rated cruise lines of the year, based on reviews submitted to Cruise Critic by travellers themselves.

British Travel Awards

In the annual British Travel Awards, Viking was named ‘Best Midsize Ship’ in 2018 and ‘Best Luxury Cruise Line’ in 2017. The British Travel Awards honour excellence in travel and tourism based on ratings submitted by registered travelers.
 

Cruise International

Respected as one of the most prestigious consumer awards in the cruise industry, Cruise International awarded Viking ‘Best Cruise Line’ overall in their 2019 British Cruise Awards.

In its Cruising & Cruise Ships 2020 edition, Berlitz awarded Viking the top six positions in the Mid-Size Ships category. 
         
In 2017, Viking Sea was awarded first in her category, noting her ‘many elegant touches’ and ‘excellent inclusive value.’ Viking Star, which was rated highest in her category in 2016, earned second place behind her sister ship Viking Sea.
 

Wave Awards

In 2018, for the second time, The Wave Awards’ distinguished panel of industry experts recognised Viking’s ocean cruises as the ‘Best for Wellbeing & Spas’ in the UK cruise industry.
 

Interior Design

The preeminent design competition – hosted by the industry-leading publication – celebrates superior interior design projects and products. Viking Star was honored in the 2015 edition, with the Living Room, Wintergarden and Explorers’ Lounge receiving special nods for their unique and stunning design.

Architectural Digest

In a roundup of the most luxurious and design-forward vessels sailing today, Viking Startook top billing.

Travel Channel

Rated among its best cruises of 2015, the Travel Channel honored Viking with “Best Mediterranean Cruise.” The cable network also recognized Viking for “living up to the reputation of its acclaimed sister line while offering perks all its own.”

Condé Nast Traveller

In 2023, Viking was voted #1 for Expeditions, #1 for Oceans and #1 Rivers for in Condé Nast Traveller’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. This marks the first time that Viking has won in three categories in the same year, as well as the third consecutive year that Viking has won both the river and ocean categories. Viking is also honored to have scored in the top of the list each year since the expedition category was introduced.

Travel + Leisure

In 2025, Viking’s expedition ships were once again voted #1 in Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards for the third consecutive year. Additionally, Viking was voted one of the World’s Best river and ocean lines.