Viking named top small-ship ocean cruise line in World’s Best Awards
The cruise company also highlighted recognition across ocean, river and expedition categories.
Travel + Leisure has named Viking Cruises the Best Small-Ship Ocean Cruise Line in the World in its World’s Best Awards. The publication said Viking earned recognition in part for its two expedition ships, which operate voyages to remote destinations.
According to Viking, the company was rated a 2026 World’s Best operator for ocean, river and expedition cruising. Viking also said it was ranked as the leading expedition line for a fourth consecutive year and has received recognition for its ocean voyages annually since launching them in 2015.
Viking separately said it placed first in both the river and ocean categories of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The company described that result as its fifth consecutive year winning both categories.
Destinations featured across Viking itineraries include fjords in Norway and Chile, the Thames River near London, the Amazon River, New Zealand’s Milford and Doubtful Sounds, and the Panama and Suez canals. Other listed locations include Norway’s Lofoten Islands, Easter Island, Mauritius and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.