Viking Tops U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Cruise Line Rankings

Viking is already 70 percent booked for 2026 as of Nov. 2, according to CEO Torstein Hagen, speaking on the company’s third quarter earnings call. “We continue to see strong momentum. As of November 2, 2025, and for our core products, 96% of our 2025 capacity was sold when 70% of our 2026 capacity was already booked too,” Hagen said.

The Viking brand

“I believe that this reflects the strength of the Viking brand, the resilience of our target customers and the appeal of our destination-focused products. As we continue to grow our fleet, this forward visibility gives us confidence in our trajectory and in our ability to deliver long-term value to all stakeholders.”Hagen called it a good position to be in, with core product capacity increasing by 9 percent. Adding “We are already 70% booked with $4.9 billion of advanced bookings. This is 14% higher than the 2025 season at the same point in time for 2024,” He emphasized  “Overall, we have sold 95% of the capacity passenger cruise days for the year, which is an increase of 18%. Advanced bookings are 29% higher than they were at the same point last year, and rates have remained very strong.”

The fifth consecutive year,

On the other hand Los Angeles (November 20, 2025) – For the fifth consecutive year, Viking® ( (NYSE: VIK) has been named the Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples and Best Line in the Mediterranean by U.S. News & World Report in the publication’s 2026 Best Cruise Line rankings. Viking also earned Best Cruise Line for Dining in the Luxury category. The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings reflect a comprehensive analysis of expert opinions and traveler reviews, as well as recommendations and insider knowledge from the publication’s in-destination seasoned writers and editors.

The awards are a testament to the hard work

“We are honored to be recognized once again by U.S. News & World Report,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “From the start, we have taken a contrarian approach—we focus on the destination, and we do not try to be all things to all people. These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire Viking family, and we are very grateful.”

Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of recent accolades for Viking. Viking was rated #1 for Oceans and #1 for Rivers by Condé Nast Traveler—also for the fifth year in a row—in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure —no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications. Additionally, AOL recently named Viking the Best Cruise Line in its Best of 2025 list; Viking’s ocean ships continue to earn “Recommended” ratings in the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards, an annual independent evaluation for luxury travel brands; and Viking received seven awards across its ocean, river and expedition categories in the Cruise Critic 2024 Best in Cruise Awards..

About Viking

Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure—no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications. 

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Sources : Press - Release 

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