Overview

Viking Cruises (Viking Ocean Cruises + Viking River Cruises) is the largest small-ship ocean cruise operator and the largest river-cruise operator in the world. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. The ocean fleet (12 ships, ~930 guests each) operates Mediterranean, Northern European, Antarctic, and world itineraries; the river fleet operates Rhine, Danube, Mekong, Nile, Mississippi, and dozens of other rivers.

For seafarers

Crew contracts run 4-6 months with high-tier pay tier (premium positioning, mostly Northern European and North American guest demographic). Ocean-fleet crew sail standard international shifts; river-fleet crew work shorter contracts but more intense schedules. Viking's ocean ships are built at Fincantieri (Ancona) and are similar in design across the class — sister-ship familiarity transfers easily.

Watch for

River cruising is an entirely different work environment from ocean — close-quarter living, shorter contracts, frequent crew changes, intense itineraries with 1-2 ports a day. Viking's hiring is competitive at the senior level; the all-inclusive guest experience demands high service standards.