Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Viking-Orion

Passengers aboard the 'Viking Orion' will be reimbursed following the disruption of their cruise itinerary caused by biofouling on the vessel's hull. The cruise ship arrived in Sydney on January 4, which marked the final destination of what is typically a 15-day journey featuring nine stops across New Zealand and Australia. Due to concerns about small patches of marine growth found on the hull, New Zealand authorities directed the ship to exit their waters prematurely, leading to the cancellation of scheduled stops in Tasmania and New Zealand's South Island. The 'Viking Orion' subsequently headed straight to Adelaide, Australia, where it stationed approximately 12 nautical miles offshore to allow divers to clear the marine growth. Despite the inconveniences, the ship proceeded to complete its voyage as planned, making stops in Melbourne and Sydney thereafter. As a gesture of goodwill, all passengers affected by the missed port calls will receive a voucher equivalent to their initial payment, applicable for future voyages. Tickets for the upcoming 15-day cruise from Auckland to Sydney, departing on January 10, vary in price from A$8,995 (approximately $6,066.23) to A$29,995 (around $20,341).

The 'Viking Orion' has faced significant delays in docking, having only reached the port of Melbourne on January 2 after being anchored off the coast since Christmas. This unusual situation arose due to a fungal infestation on the vessel's hull, prompting various ports to deny entry. As a result, 800 passengers found themselves stranded at sea for an entire week. After departing from Wellington on December 26 with Christchurch as its intended destination, the ship encountered issues during its initial voyage. The Australian National Maritime Coordination Center detected a small quantity of biofouling on the hull, which raised concerns over the potential introduction of invasive marine species into Australian waters. Consequently, ports in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart, and Adelaide all refused the ship's entry to facilitate necessary cleaning. On January 1, while located outside Australian territorial waters, divers conducted hull cleaning operations to resolve the infestation issue. Following this remediation, 'Viking Orion' was cleared to dock safely in Melbourne.

In a stunning display of excellence, Viking Cruises has once again taken center stage at the annual Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards, marking a remarkable achievement for the second consecutive year. The 2018 awards showcased Viking’s dominance in the cruise industry, as they secured five prestigious accolades across various categories. The renowned Cruise Critic editors recognized top contenders in ocean cruises, luxury cruises, and river cruises. Viking Cruises stood out with three notable wins in the luxury sector, including best new luxury ship for the Viking Orion, best spa, and best value for money. Additionally, their river cruise offerings earned accolades for being the best options for first-time cruisers and the best in terms of itineraries. This recognition highlights Viking's continued commitment to providing unparalleled experiences on the water.