Tailored for the Japan market, the program earned high scores across every category
Viking Yidun
Viking (www.viking.com) (NYSE: VIK) conducted a survey of guests who sailed Viking Yidun during her inaugural Japan season from November 2024 through May 2025, and received an exceptionally high overall satisfaction score of 96%. Staff were rated at 95% and the Guest Services Desk (reception) at 94%, with guests citing the attentiveness and warmth of the crew as a defining element of the experience. Dining, featuring fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients, was also highly rated, achieving a satisfaction score of 84%.
Compared with other modes of transport, Viking Yidun scored 88%, and compared with other cruise vacations, 92%; both notable results. The ship itself was rated at 87%, staterooms at 85%, and public spaces at 87%. The survey assessed overall satisfaction, staff service, dining, facilities, staterooms, the Guest Services Desk, and comparisons with other travel and cruise experiences. The season’s itinerary was specifically tailored for Japanese guests.
Trey Hickey, Head of Asia Business Development at Viking, commented:
“We are proud to have received such a high level of satisfaction from our guests during Viking Yidun’s inaugural Japan season. Viking is committed to delivering destination-focused, culturally rich journeys. These results show that our approach built on quality service, thoughtful experiences, and attention to detail resonates deeply with Japanese guests.”
With more than 450 industry honors, Viking has earned a wide range of globally recognized awards. Most recently, in the Condé Nast Traveler 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, Viking was ranked #1 in the River Cruise category, #1 in the Ocean Cruise category, and #1 in the Expedition Cruise category — sweeping all three categories for the second consecutive year, a first for any single company.
In the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, Viking has also been named “World’s Best” across the river, ocean, and expedition categories. No other single company has received simultaneous honors of this stature from both publications.
In addition, U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Cruise Lines recognized Viking as “Best Luxury Cruise Line,” “Best Cruise Line for Couples,” and “Best Cruise Line for Mediterranean Cruises.”
Women’s Health magazine’s 2024 Travel Awards named Viking “Best Adventure Cruise Line,” and Men’s Health’s 2024 Travel Awards selected Viking as the “World’s Best Expedition Cruise Line.”
Viking’s ocean cruise ships also received a “Recommended” rating in the Forbes Travel Guide 2024 Star Awards, the independent assessment program for luxury travel brands.
Furthermore, in Cruise Critic’s 2024 Best in Cruise Awards, Viking received a total of seven awards across the Luxury (Ocean), River, and Expedition categories.
Viking 2025–2026 Japan Round-Trip Cruises
Viking Yidun’s Japan cruise program (viking.jp) is scheduled to operate from November 2025 through May 2026, offering unforgettable journeys. Itineraries visit ports rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, with calls at UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Kumano Kodo, Mt. Koya, Himeji Castle, and Hoi An.
New ports of call have also been added — including Amakusa, home to the Sakitsu Village that forms part of the UNESCO-listed “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region” (which also encompasses Amakusa), and Moji — bringing deeper engagement with Japanese culture. Guests can look forward to a meaningful, culturally rich experience aboard this voyage.
November and December Departures: Special Christmas-Themed Cruises
Cruises departing in November and December feature a magical, Christmas-themed voyage wrapped in elegant Scandinavian-style décor and uplifting holiday music.
Highlights include caroling alongside Viking’s crew and staff, servings of fragrant mulled wine (Glühwein), and a range of seasonal Christmas activities — heartwarming experiences crafted for the holidays.
Set against the sea, this special holiday cruise delivers joy, charm, and unforgettable travel memories.
Featured Itineraries
- West Japan Culinary & Cultural Treasures (7 nights / 8 days: Yokohama to Kobe)
- Kyushu & Shikoku: Mystic Islands and Historic Romance (7 nights / 8 days: round-trip Kobe)
Christmas Cruise Promotions
Viking is currently offering a special promotion that makes its appealing Christmas cruises easier to book. Solo travelers are warmly welcomed. Benefits include:
- Included shore excursions: a complimentary basic sightseeing tour at each port is bundled with the cruise fare
- Single Occupancy Promotion: select stateroom categories available for single occupancy at no additional supplement
- Repeat Guest Benefit: 10% discount on the cruise fare plus a complimentary drinks package
For detailed schedules, please refer to the Viking Yidun Itinerary Booklet.
About Viking
Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure—no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications For more information, please visit viking.jp.
Viking’s award-winning culture channel is available at www.viking.tv.
About Viking Yidun
Viking Yidun — originally christened Viking Sun — was designed as a sister ship to Viking’s ocean cruise vessels and was purpose-built to deliver immersive journeys. All 465 staterooms feature a private balcony, and the ship’s compact maximum capacity of 930 guests creates a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere while allowing her to call at ports too small for larger vessels — a notable point of distinction.
Built in 2017 by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, Viking Yidun blends refined Scandinavian modern design with world-class amenities. Bright, open public spaces and dining venues serving a diverse range of international cuisines — including Japanese — further enrich the onboard experience.
Viking Yidun began coastal cruises in China and Japan in September 2024, and in November 2024 launched her Japan round-trip program tailored for Japanese guests, which has already earned high marks from many of her guests.
About the Viking Japan Office
Viking opened its Japan office in 2024. Trey Hickey, a longtime cruise industry veteran, serves as its head, and the office has established distribution partnerships with major Japanese travel agencies.
Bookings and inquiries are handled through Viking’s travel agency partners.
