Viking Cruises will launch the longest-ever continuous world cruise itinerary, with the Viking Sun set to make a full circumnavigation of the globe spanning 245 days, six continents, 59 countries and 113 ports, with 22 port overnights.
Departing from London on August 31, 2019, the grand eight-month journey will mark Viking’s third voyage around the globe and will nearly double the length of the company’s previous World Cruise itineraries.
Within the 245-day Ultimate World Cruise itinerary, Viking will also offer guests an option to sail one of two shorter sectors.
Guest can choose between Viking World Treasures, a 127-day sailing from London to Los Angeles that visits 33 countries and 61 ports, or Viking World Wonders, a 119-day journey from Los Angeles to London that visits 29 countries and 55 ports.
As with all Viking itineraries, guests receive a complimentary shore excursion in each port and free unlimited Wi-Fi. World Cruise guests also receive Business Class airfare and all gratuities and service fees, along with a list of value-adds in the cruise fare.
On top of optional excursions with themes of Local Life and Working World, guests can also enjoy Privileged Access visits to cultural institutions. Moreover, Viking’s Culture Curriculum offers additional enrichment on board with regional entertainment and lectures, as well as learning opportunities as part of the Viking Resident programme.
Ultimate World Cruise highlights include Greenwich, London. From the Royal Borough dock, guests will have easy access to iconic sights, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.
One of the 22 overnight stays on this itinerary occurs in the historic city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, home to the Christ the Redeemer statue, and the scenic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.
Guests will also be taken to Ushuaia, or the “End of the World”, a city perched on a hill on the southernmost tip of South America, close to Escondido and Fagnano Lakes and the Tierra del Fuego National Park.
The Viking Sun will also call at Hobart, Tasmania, where guests will get to learn about aborigine history and explore the wilderness, including Mt Wellington, which the city is nestled under.
Another stop is at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, offering experiences such as visits to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Reunification Palace.
While at the bustling city of Mumbai, guests can visit the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum and the Hanging Gardens; while a stop in Luxor, Egypt offers chances to explore historical monuments including the Temple of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings & Valley of the Queens, which house the tombs of the Pharaohs and their wives.
The itinerary also features eight first-time South American ports of call for Viking, including Roseau, Dominica, two ports in Chile (La Serena and Iquique), three ports in Peru (Arequipa Pisco and Lima) and Quito (Manta), Ecuador and Panama City (Fuerte Amador).
The 46,800-ton, 930-guest Viking Sun offers 465 veranda staterooms and 14 Explorer Suites, in addition to eight F&B options and facilities including a spa.
Pricing for the Viking Ultimate World Cruise starts from US$92,990 per person, Viking World Treasures from US$47,995 per person and Viking World Wonders from US$45,995 per person.
