Viking 2026–2028: Ocean & Expedition Voyages Are Live — Let’s Make Your Bucket List Real

Brandi Parker
Sep 3
4 min read

If a Viking sailing has been sitting on your vision board between “learn sourdough” and “finally organize photos,” this is your sign. ⛵️✨ Viking’s 2026–2028 Ocean and Expedition voyages are open, which means the good stuff: more dates, more cabins, more time to pay, and more room to dream up an itinerary that feels like you.

Why booking now is a power move

More time = smaller payments. Lock in the itinerary you want and spread out the cost.
Best cabins don’t wait. Early birds snag the prime views and ideal layouts.
Peak dates & rare itineraries sell fast. Want holiday markets, fjord season, or the true Antarctic Circle? Plant your flag early.

What’s new (and spicy 🌶️) for 2026–2028

Viking Lyra® joins the ocean fleet in 2028. She’ll debut in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia, so if you’re dreaming of olive groves and Nordic light, we can aim for her inaugural season.
Brand-new expedition: Into the Antarctic Circle (15 days; Buenos Aires–Ushuaia). Yes, you’ll cross 66°33′ S—the actual Antarctic Circle—by Zodiac and kayak, with resident scientists from leading research orgs on board. It’s a “pinch me, I’m tiny next to this iceberg” kind of trip.

Choose your epic: my curated itinerary short list

I read every brochure so you don’t have to. Here are standouts with vibes and quick tips:

🧊 Into the Antarctic Circle — 15 days (Buenos Aires–Ushuaia)

For the traveler who collects experiences, not magnets. Zodiac landings, kayaking among brash ice, penguin colonies, and that rare latitude crossing. Expect hands-on science and storytelling with polar experts.

🏔️ South America & the Chilean Fjords — 18 days (Buenos Aires–Santiago)

Tango in BA, “End of the World” vibes in Ushuaia, blue-tinted ice and mountain drama through the Strait of Magellan, then cap it with cosmopolitan Santiago. A grand sweep of the southern cone.

🛡️ Viking Homelands — 15 days (Stockholm–Bergen)

Scandi-cool and fjord-forward. Overnights in Stockholm, Oslo, and Bergen let you go deeper (and eat all the cinnamon buns). Tallinn’s old town and Norway’s waterfalls are chef’s kiss.

🐨 Australia & New Zealand — 15 days (Sydney–Auckland)

Convict history, art deco Napier, Christchurch gardens, Dunedin’s Victorian charms, Māori culture, didgeridoo soundscapes—this one balances culture, scenery, and wildly lovable locals.

🏰 British Isles Explorer — 15 days (Bergen–London)

Highlands and islands, Edinburgh’s swagger, Shetland and Orkney sagas, Dublin pints, Welsh peaks, Liverpool’s music lore, Dover’s chalk cliffs, and an overnight in Greenwich for nautical nerds (hi, it’s me).

🌊 Great Lakes Collection — 15 days (Toronto–Duluth)

Freshwater fjords, Niagara’s thunder, Georgian Bay’s islands, Soo Locks engineering, boreal forests—North America’s under-sung showstopper with scientific enrichment along the way.

🏮 Far Eastern Horizons — 15 days (Hong Kong–Tokyo)

Stanley Market, Taiwan with local insight, and time to truly sit with Nagasaki and Hiroshima—plus overnights for deeper dives into Shimizu and Tokyo. Contrasts, context, and cuisine.

🧭 Into the Northwest Passage — 13 days (roundtrip Nuuk)

Greenlandic color-pop towns, Inuit traditions, glacier-carved peaks, Zodiac landings, pristine fjords. Arctic expedition done thoughtfully and respectfully.

🐋 Alaska & the Inside Passage — 11 days (Vancouver–Seward)

Misty fjords, totem stories, tidewater ice, gold-rush lore. Classic for a reason—and Viking’s pacing lets you breathe the place in.

⚙️ Classic Panama Canal Passage — 11 days (Ft. Lauderdale–Panama City)

Caribbean warmth, ancient ruins in Belize, Costa Rican rainforests, and the engineering whoa of the Canal. Add Emberá cultural encounters for a day you’ll remember.

🏛️ Empires of the Mediterranean — 10 days (Venice–Athens)

Olympia to Acropolis, Zadar to Dubrovnik, Santorini glow, Corfu greens, and a delightful detour to Koper (Slovenia’s postcard corner). Ten days, nine destinations, zero snooze.

❄️ Iceland’s Natural Beauty — 8 days (roundtrip Reykjavik)

Waterfalls, fjords, puffins, whales—and a thread of Norse history via Leif Eriksson. Short, mighty, magical.

🍋 Iconic Western Mediterranean — 8 days (Barcelona–Rome)

Barcelona’s late nights, Tuscan treasures, Montpellier history, Marseille bouillabaisse, Monte Carlo sparkle, and Rome’s grand finale. Compact and delicious.

What to expect on board (and why my clients love it)

Small ships with all-veranda staterooms on ocean voyages; Polar Class for expeditions.
Destination-first pacing with overnights where it matters.
Enrichment & science in the polar regions that make every landing feel meaningful.
A guest experience that keeps racking up “#1” nods across oceans, rivers, and expeditions in major reader awards—my inbox (and clients) agree it’s not hype.

Brandi’s booking game plan (a lil’ love + logistics)

Pick your “why.” Wildlife? History? Landscapes? Food? (Yes, “all of the above” is allowed.)
Choose your season. Shoulder months often = softer pricing and lighter crowds.
Cabin strategy. Early = better location (midship for motion-sensitive, near elevators for accessibility, etc.).
Air & overnights. Let’s add pre/post stays so jet lag doesn’t crash your first port day.
Protection that protects. We’ll match coverage to the trip type (expedition vs. ocean).
Payments that feel gentle. Early booking spreads cost—your future self approves.

Micro-tips that feel like big wins

Antarctica/Arctic packing: base + mid + shell layers; waterproof gloves; neck gaiter; anti-fog wipes for your camera/phone case.
Fjords & Great Lakes: binoculars elevate everything.
Med & British Isles: comfortable shoes > cute shoes (your cobblestones will understand).
Sea days: book enrichment and spa slots early; prime times fill.
Photos at golden hour: build your dinner time around sunset on scenic sail-ins/outs.

Who’s this perfect for?

Curious couples who want culture by day and cozy by night.
Celebration travelers (big birthdays/anniversaries) who’d like a ship that feels refined, not rowdy.
Expedition dreamers who want real science + real Zodiac time, not just binocular browsing.

Ready when you are

Tell me your must-sees, your can’t-stands, and a couple dream dates. I’ll match you to the right itinerary and cabin, price 2–3 best-value options (with flights and pre/post stays), and hold space while you decide—no pressure, just clarity.