SINGAPORE, 3 August 2026: Viking will launch Chinese-language cruises in Northern Europe next year, betting on the growing demand in China for slower-paced and more immersive overseas holidays.
Two ocean itineraries will begin operating in April 2027, making them the first Northern European voyages designed specifically for Chinese-speaking guests. This comes as international cruise operators seek to tap a boom in China’s outbound travel market, particularly among affluent consumers looking beyond conventional group tours.
“More than 100,000 Chinese guests have travelled with Viking, making China an important source market for our global fleet,” Viking China managing director Brendan Tansey told China Daily. He added that the company is confident in China’s premium travel market.
Its 930-guest ocean vessel, Viking Yidun, provides Chinese-language signage, entertainment systems, hotel services, and shore assistance, as well as Chinese electrical outlets, kettles, and a mix of Chinese and Western food.
Mediterranean season
The expansion follows the company’s launch of Chinese-language Mediterranean cruises on Viking Yidun, which will be sailing her first Mediterranean season from August this year until March 2027. The ship will offer eight- to 22-day regional sailings covering Western and Eastern Mediterranean ports, spanning nine countries including Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, France, Monaco, Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia.
The ship is currently sailing her first 60-day transcontinental voyage, which started in Shanghai in early June and will arrive in Barcelona in early August in time to start her maiden Mediterranean season.
Viking Yidun will continue to operate Chinese-language Mediterranean voyages during the winter of 2027 and will offer more than 10 combined ocean voyages, including a 60-day journey from Athens to Stockholm that covers 18 countries and 40 cities.
New itineraries for Northern Europe
The new routes comprise a 15-day voyage from Oslo to Stockholm, covering three Nordic capitals, Norwegian fjords, Berlin and destinations along historic Hanseatic trade routes, and a 14-day voyage from Lisbon to Oslo along Europe’s Atlantic coast.
Viking China will also introduce land-tour extensions in Oslo, Stockholm and Reykjavik.
14-Day repositioning cruise from Lisbon to Oslo: The itinerary departs on 9 April 2027 and includes visits to nine cities, including Porto (overnight), A Coruña and Bilbao in Spain; Pauillac and Bordeaux (overnight) in France; Le Havre in France; Zeebrugge in Belgium; and Kristiansand in Norway, before arriving in Oslo (overnight).
15-Day Viking Nordic Discovery: Oslo to Stockholm. Sailing dates — 22 April, 17 June, 15 July and 12 August.
Stockholm to Oslo sailing dates — 6 May, 3 June, 29 July and 26 August
Seven Countries | 12 Destinations | 12 Shore Excursions and Experiences.
Guests will spend the night on board in Oslo before it sails to the Norwegian ports of Kristiansand, Bergen, Eidfjord, and Stavanger, then arrives in Copenhagen for another overnight before sailing the following morning to Warnemünde (Berlin). After which, the ship will visit Rønne, Bornholm, Denmark; Gdansk, Poland; Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Riga, Latvia, before arriving in Stockholm for another overnight stay.
15-Day Viking Nordic Discovery: There will be two Extended Journeys on 20 May and 1 July, each with an additional stop in Gothenburg, bringing the total to 13 destinations.
Oslo to Stockholm — Sailing date: 20 May
Stockholm to Oslo — Sailing date: 1 July
Seven Countries | 13 Destinations | 12 Included Shore Excursions and Experiences.
Begins in Oslo and travels through Norway, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Sweden. Explore the Nordic capitals of Copenhagen and Stockholm, and visit Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city and the birthplace of Volvo.
(Source: Viking)
