Viking World Cruise 2027-28: 142 Days on Viking Vesta

Published on Aug 15, 2025, 10:48 am CDT

5 min read

Viking has unveiled its 2027-28 World Cruises, headlined by a 142-day Viking World Cruise aboard Viking Vesta departing Fort Lauderdale on December 28, 2027, and concluding in London on May 18, 2028. The itinerary promises 31 countries, 62 guided tours, and 16 overnight stays, with ports spanning six continents. Travelers can also extend to 170 days on Viking World Voyage III, or opt for 153- and 125-day alternatives that start in Los Angeles. Viking emphasizes destination-focused design and longer time in port across the program.

Key Points

Why it matters: Longer overnights and guided tours define Viking's destination-first approach.
Travel impact: 142- to 170-day choices let travelers tailor time and budget without switching ships.
What's next: Bookings are open, with limited-time incentives dated through August 31, 2025.
Viking Vesta sails Fort Lauderdale to London, December 28, 2027 to May 18, 2028.
Overnights include Sydney, Singapore, Zanzibar, Cape Town, and Casablanca.

Snapshot

The 142-day Viking World Cruise on Viking Vesta crosses Central America, transits the Panama Canal, runs the U.S. West Coast, and then spans the Pacific to Hawaii and French Polynesia. From there, the route threads New Zealand and Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Western Europe before finishing on the Thames. Sixteen overnights, including Sydney and Singapore, create deeper city stays, while included guided tours keep costs predictable. Extension options include the 170-day Viking World Voyage III that continues from London to Stockholm, plus a 153-day Los Angeles to Stockholm variant and a shorter 125-day Los Angeles to London itinerary.

Background

World cruises are surging across premium and luxury lines as travelers favor longer, experience-rich itineraries with fewer hotel changes. Viking leans into that trend with all-veranda ships and a destination-centric program that prioritizes overnights and included excursions. The line's recent deployment updates through 2028, and new-build cadence, position it to compete for long-haul guests booking years ahead. For readers new to the category, our primer on what these marathon itineraries involve is here, including planning, visas, and budgeting: World Cruise. Viking previously offered similar 142- and 125-day patterns in 2026-27, signaling steady demand for extended journeys.

Latest Developments

142-day route emphasizes overnights and guided tours

Viking Vesta's 142-day Viking World Cruise will visit 31 countries with 62 guided tours and 16 overnights, a structure that maximizes time ashore. Overnight calls include Sydney, Singapore, Zanzibar, Cape Town, and Casablanca. The routing stitches together Central America, the Panama Canal, the U.S. West Coast, Hawaii, and French Polynesia before continuing across New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and into Western Europe. Viking's enrichment lineup features its Resident Historian program and optional multi-day overland tours, such as Uluru and India's Golden Triangle, designed to deepen cultural context beyond the pier.

Extension to 170 days, plus 153- and 125-day options

Guests can extend to the 170-day Viking World Voyage III, which continues from London through Northern Europe and Scandinavia to Stockholm, adding 21 ports. Additional choices include Viking World Voyage IV, a 153-day Los Angeles to Stockholm sailing that spans 37 countries, and Viking World Discoveries, a 125-day Los Angeles to London voyage visiting 27 countries. These tiers offer more time at similar service levels, letting travelers align vacation length and spend without switching ships mid-journey.

Booking window and early incentives

Viking states that North American travelers booking by August 31, 2025, can access limited-time offers such as free business-class airfare and transfers, a $4,000 per-couple shore-excursion credit, a $2,000 per-couple shipboard credit, and a complimentary Silver Spirits Beverage Package, with a reduced deposit. Returning guests receive additional onboard credit. Advisors should confirm availability and terms, which are capacity-controlled and date-specific. For date and ship validation, independent agency listings also show Viking Vesta operating the 142-day cruise from December 28, 2027 to May 18, 2028.

Analysis

Viking's world-cruise design reflects its core proposition, more time in destination and fewer late-night sail-aways. Sixteen overnights in marquee cities help offset fatigue on a months-long itinerary, while included guided tours control costs on repeat port days. The three length tiers give advisors a clear upsell path for travelers with flexible calendars, from the 125-day baseline to the 170-day end-to-end experience. Compared with competitors that emphasize gala events or sea-day programming, Viking's Resident Historian model and overland add-ons court travelers who value cultural depth. That positioning, plus all-veranda hardware and adult-oriented ambiance, should resonate with repeat cruisers migrating from premium lines into longer voyages. The dated incentives are noteworthy for closing early business, yet the real draw remains the itinerary structure, consistent inclusions, and port-intensive pacing across each world voyage.

Final Thoughts

For travelers eyeing a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary, Viking Vesta's Fort Lauderdale to London route offers a clean blueprint, long city stays, and included tours that simplify choices across six continents. Those who want even more port time can extend to 170 days through Scandinavia, or pivot to the 153- or 125-day options out of Los Angeles. If you are considering an extended sailing, start with cabin location and visa planning, then layer in overland add-ons for bucket-list moments. This program's strongest pitch is simple, destination time on a Viking World Cruise.