Celebrity Cruises vs Viking Ocean Cruises

The core difference

Celebrity Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises are both excellent premium lines that attract a similar demographic — well-travelled couples over 50 who want quality dining, interesting destinations, and a refined atmosphere without the formality of traditional luxury. They overlap in almost every major sailing region, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, and Australia. Yet the onboard experience could hardly be more different.

Celebrity positions itself as “modern luxury.” Under the Royal Caribbean Group umbrella alongside Royal Caribbean International and Silversea, Celebrity builds innovative ships that push design boundaries — the Edge-class vessels introduced the Magic Carpet (a cantilevered platform that moves between decks), Infinite Verandas (glass walls that retract to create an open-air space), and Eden, a three-storey glass-wrapped performance venue. The fleet of 16 ships spans three classes carrying 2,170 to 3,260 guests, plus the 100-guest Celebrity Flora in the Galapagos. Entertainment is dynamic, nightlife exists, a casino operates on every mainline ship, and families with children are welcome. Pricing is flexible — a lower base fare lets you add beverage packages, Wi-Fi, excursions, and speciality dining as you choose.

Viking positions itself as “the thinking person’s cruise.” Founded by Norwegian entrepreneur Torstein Hagen in 1997, Viking builds virtually identical ships — 11 ocean vessels at 47,800 to 54,300 gross tonnes, each carrying 930 to 998 guests. There is no casino, no children’s programme, no water slides, and no formal nights. The entertainment is the destination itself, supported by a Resident Historian programme, TED Talks screenings, Metropolitan Opera performances, and destination speakers who are genuine experts in the regions being sailed. The base fare includes a shore excursion in every port, all speciality dining, Wi-Fi, beer and wine at lunch and dinner, and complimentary access to the LivNordic Spa thermal suite. Viking’s Scandinavian design — blonde wood, muted tones, clean lines — creates a calm environment that feels more boutique hotel than floating resort.

For Australian travellers, both lines deploy ships to Sydney each summer. Celebrity Edge has sailed Australian waters for three consecutive seasons and Celebrity is expanding to four ships by 2027/28. Viking sends Viking Orion to Sydney and Auckland annually. The practical choice often comes down to what you value more: Celebrity’s design innovation, entertainment breadth, and pricing flexibility — or Viking’s cultural enrichment, all-inclusive simplicity, and smaller-ship intimacy.

What is actually included

This is the comparison point that matters most and causes the most confusion. Both lines market themselves to premium travellers, but the scope of inclusions is fundamentally different.

Viking includes in every fare: a private veranda (every cabin has one — no inside staterooms exist); all dining venues including Manfredi’s Italian, The Chef’s Table five-course tasting menu, and the World Cafe; beer, wine, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; speciality coffees, teas, and filtered water around the clock; one shore excursion per port; basic Wi-Fi on multiple devices; access to the LivNordic Spa thermal suite (sauna, steam room, snow grotto, hydrotherapy pool, cold plunge, and heated tile loungers); a heated main pool with retractable roof; self-service laundry with complimentary detergent; 24-hour room service; and enrichment lectures including the Resident Historian programme.

Viking does not include: gratuities (approximately US$17 per person per day, charged to the onboard account); cocktails and premium spirits (US$8–$15 per drink, or the Silver Spirits Beverage Package at US$27 per person per night); The Kitchen Table cooking experience (US$180–$260 per person); spa treatments; personal training; and flights or transfers.

Celebrity includes in the base Cruise-Only fare: stateroom accommodation; main dining room meals and buffet dining; basic entertainment and shows; pool and fitness centre access; and room service (with a $9.95 delivery fee plus gratuity). This is a stripped-back starting point.

Celebrity’s All Included fare adds: a Classic Beverage Package and basic Wi-Fi at approximately $70–$85 per person per day above the base fare. This is the package most Australian travellers will consider, but it still excludes shore excursions, speciality dining, thermal spa access (unless booked in AquaClass), and gratuities — the last of which were removed from the All Included package in October 2023 and are now charged separately at $18–$23 per person per day depending on stateroom category.

Celebrity’s The Retreat (suite class) includes: Premium Beverage Package, Premium Wi-Fi, unlimited speciality dining, complimentary stocked minibar, butler service, Luminae private restaurant access, Retreat Lounge and Sundeck, and priority embarkation. This is Celebrity’s genuinely all-inclusive tier, but it requires booking a suite — the entry-level Sky Suite starts at approximately 395 square feet.

The practical effect is significant. Viking’s headline fare appears higher, but it covers substantially more. When you add Celebrity’s beverage package, Wi-Fi upgrade, a shore excursion in each port, one or two speciality dining covers, and a thermal spa pass, the total daily cost for a balcony cabin often approaches Viking’s all-inclusive veranda rate. The key difference is that Viking settles the equation upfront — you know the cost before you board. Celebrity gives you control over what you spend, which suits travellers who do not drink much, prefer to explore ports independently, or want to keep their outlay minimal.

Dining and culinary experience

Both lines serve quality food, but the dining philosophy and pricing model differ in ways that shape the entire onboard experience.

Viking’s dining is included and consistent. The Restaurant is the main dining room with open seating, a daily-changing menu reflecting the itinerary’s regions, and always-available classics including Norwegian salmon and the Viking steak. Manfredi’s — named after Silversea founder Manfredi Lefebvre, a friend of Viking founder Torstein Hagen — serves authentic Italian with housemade pasta, osso buco, and regional wines in an intimate open-kitchen setting. It is included without surcharges. The Chef’s Table offers a five-course tasting menu with wine pairing that rotates every three days through Asian, French bistro, Norwegian, and thematic menus — also included. Mamsen’s, named after Hagen’s mother, serves Norwegian waffles, open-faced sandwiches, and Scandinavian pastries throughout the day. The World Cafe is an elevated market-style buffet with made-to-order stations, a sushi bar, and themed dinner nights. Wintergarden hosts a traditional afternoon tea with three-tiered stands, finger sandwiches, and live music accompaniment. The only surcharge venue is The Kitchen Table — a two-part experience where you shop for ingredients at a local market with Viking chefs in the morning and cook a multi-course meal together in the evening (US$180–$260, limited to 12 guests). Complimentary 24-hour room service rounds out the options.

Celebrity’s dining offers greater variety but with surcharges. The main dining room is complimentary — on Edge-class ships, it is divided into four themed restaurants (Normandie, Tuscan, Cosmopolitan, Cyprus) sharing the same menu but each with distinct ambience. The Oceanview Cafe buffet and poolside grills are also included. Blu is a complimentary health-conscious restaurant exclusive to AquaClass guests. Luminae, the suite-exclusive restaurant with menus designed by Daniel Boulud, is complimentary for Retreat guests.

Beyond these, Celebrity’s speciality dining carries surcharges: Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud (US$125 dinner, US$200 tasting menu on Beyond, Ascent, and Xcel); Fine Cut Steakhouse (approximately US$55); Eden Restaurant experiential dining (approximately US$75); Le Petit Chef immersive animated dining (approximately US$60); Raw on 5 sushi bar (a la carte); and Murano French fine dining on Solstice-class ships (approximately US$40). A 20 per cent gratuity is automatically added to all speciality dining bills.

In my experience, Viking’s dining is reliably good across the fleet — the consistency of having every ship virtually identical means Manfredi’s on Viking Star is the same quality as Manfredi’s on Viking Vela. Celebrity’s dining peaks higher at the top end — Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud and Eden are genuinely special occasions — but the surcharges add up quickly. A couple dining at two speciality restaurants on a 7-night Celebrity cruise will spend an additional US$200–$400 before gratuities. On Viking, every restaurant every night is included. For food-motivated travellers who want variety and do not mind paying for it, Celebrity. For travellers who want excellent dining without ever signing a bill, Viking.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation philosophies are diametrically opposed. Celebrity offers the widest range of cabin categories in the premium segment — from 170-square-foot interiors to the 2,580-square-foot Iconic Suite. Viking offers a single product: every cabin has a private veranda, and the smallest is 270 square feet.

Celebrity’s stateroom range on Edge-class ships: Interior cabins from 181 square feet; Oceanview from 170 square feet; Veranda (with Infinite Veranda) from 150–228 square feet plus veranda space; Concierge Class at approximately 243 square feet; and AquaClass (spa-focused) with Infinite Veranda, complimentary Blu restaurant, and thermal suite access. The Infinite Veranda is Celebrity’s signature innovation — floor-to-ceiling glass that opens at the touch of a button to create a balcony-like space — though it is worth noting this is not a true outdoor balcony and opening the window switches off the air conditioning.

Celebrity’s The Retreat suites range from the Sky Suite (approximately 395–451 square feet total) to the Iconic Suite (2,580 square feet with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a veranda hot tub, and only two per ship). Every Retreat suite includes butler service, Luminae restaurant, the Retreat Lounge and Sundeck, Premium Beverage and Wi-Fi packages, unlimited speciality dining, and a complimentary stocked minibar replenished daily. This is a genuinely excellent ship-within-a-ship concept that delivers luxury-line inclusions at premium-line pricing.

Viking’s cabin categories are simpler and more consistent. The Veranda Stateroom (270 square feet including veranda) is the entry level. The Deluxe Veranda (270 square feet, identical layout, better location, adds minibar) is the most popular category with 272 per ship. Penthouse Veranda (338 square feet) adds an upgraded minibar with alcoholic beverages, welcome champagne, an espresso machine, and priority dining reservations. Penthouse Junior Suite (405 square feet) adds a separate living area, complimentary laundry and dry cleaning, and early stateroom access. Explorer Suite (757 square feet) is the only category with a bathtub. The Owner’s Suite — one per ship, 1,319 square feet — features a personal sauna, wet bar, and kitchenette.

A critical difference: Viking does not offer butler service in any cabin category. The highest suites receive concierge service and enhanced amenities, but there is no dedicated personal butler. Celebrity’s Retreat suites all include butler service — packing and unpacking, spa and dining reservations, in-suite breakfast, daily canape service, and Butler Chat messaging from anywhere on the ship. For travellers accustomed to butler service on ultra-luxury lines, Celebrity’s Retreat delivers a closer analogue than anything in Viking’s range.

The other critical difference is cabin variety. Celebrity’s inside and oceanview cabins provide a genuinely lower entry price point. If budget matters and you are comfortable without a balcony, Celebrity starts significantly cheaper. Viking’s approach is that every guest deserves a veranda — there is no economy tier, and the uniformity of product ensures consistency across the ship.

Pricing and value

Comparing headline fares between Celebrity and Viking is misleading without accounting for what each fare includes. I walk clients through the total cost comparison regularly, and the gap is almost always narrower than it first appears.

Viking’s directional pricing for a 7-night Mediterranean cruise (Veranda Stateroom, per person): approximately US$350–$600 per night depending on season. This includes the veranda cabin, all dining, beer and wine at meals, Wi-Fi, one shore excursion per port, thermal spa access, and self-service laundry. Gratuities at approximately US$17 per day are additional.

Celebrity’s directional pricing for a 7-night Mediterranean cruise (Edge-class, per person): an interior cabin starts from approximately US$150–$220 per night; a balcony from approximately US$200–$350 per night. Add the All Included package at approximately $70–$85 per day for basic drinks and Wi-Fi. Add gratuities at $18–$23 per day. Add shore excursions (typically US$80–$200 per port if you want guided tours). Add one or two speciality dining covers at US$40–$75 each. The total for a balcony cabin with comparable inclusions to Viking often reaches US$400–$550 per night.

The convergence is real. Where Celebrity retains a clear price advantage is at the entry level — an interior cabin on the Cruise-Only fare at $150 per night has no Viking equivalent. And for travellers who genuinely do not want excursions, do not drink, and are happy with the main dining room only, Celebrity’s base fare delivers strong value.

For Australian travellers specifically, two additional factors shape the value equation. First, Viking’s Companion Fly Free programme from Australian gateways provides economy flights worth up to AU$2,500 per person on select international sailings — a meaningful saving for couples flying to Europe or Alaska. Celebrity does not include flights as standard and has no equivalent recurring promotion, though seasonal fly-cruise packages appear periodically. Second, Celebrity’s All Included and Retreat pricing for Australian bookings incorporates service charges into the fare, removing the tipping complexity that many Australians find uncomfortable. Viking’s gratuity policy for Australian bookings has been less consistent, with some travellers reporting unexpected charges.

At the time of writing, promotional pricing on both lines can significantly alter the comparison. Viking frequently offers early booking discounts of up to $4,000 per couple, free Silver Spirits packages on select sailings, and $25 deposit promotions. Celebrity runs “up to 75 per cent off second guest” promotions, onboard credit offers, and bundled package deals. The smartest approach is to compare total cost for your specific sailing, including every extra you plan to use, rather than relying on headline per-diems.

Spa and wellness

Both lines offer quality spa facilities, but the inclusion model and design philosophy set them apart.

Viking’s LivNordic Spa is rooted in Scandinavian wellness tradition and was designed by Stockholm-based consultancy Raison d’Etre. The headline differentiator is that the thermal suite is complimentary for every guest — not reserved for suite passengers or sold as a day pass. The facilities include a hydrotherapy pool with underwater benches, a Finnish sauna, a eucalyptus-scented steam room, heated tile loungers, a cold plunge pool, a relaxation room with ocean views, and Viking’s signature snow grotto — a sub-zero room with gently falling snowflakes that delivers the cold phase of the Nordic bathing cycle. Viking was the first cruise line to feature a snow grotto at sea when it debuted on Viking Star in 2015. Most cruise lines charge US$40–$60 per day for equivalent thermal suite access. Viking includes it for all 930 guests. The fitness centre, outdoor gym, and most group classes are also complimentary. Spa treatments are at additional cost — a 50-minute Swedish massage runs approximately US$139–$209 depending on variation.

Celebrity’s spa is operated by Canyon Ranch — a well-established wellness partnership. On Edge-class ships, The Spa features the SEA Thermal Suite with eight distinct therapeutic spaces: a Turkish hammam, simulated rain showers, a Crystal Room, Salt Room, Infrared Sauna, and Float Room with zero-gravity loungers. This is a more extensive thermal facility than Viking’s. However, it is only complimentary for AquaClass guests — everyone else pays for a day pass, and week-long passes run approximately US$219. The fitness centre and group classes (yoga, Pilates, cycling) are complimentary for all guests. Solstice-class ships feature the Persian Garden with heated stone loungers and aromatic showers, also restricted to AquaClass guests. Treatments include Canyon Ranch signature facials, massage therapies, acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, and speciality tables.

The distinction is clear: Viking gives every guest daily access to a quality thermal suite at no additional cost. Celebrity reserves its more extensive thermal facilities for AquaClass guests or those willing to pay. For travellers who use thermal facilities regularly — and I find most guests over 50 do — Viking’s complimentary access represents genuine daily value. For travellers who want the most comprehensive spa facility and are willing to pay for AquaClass or the day pass, Celebrity’s SEA Thermal Suite is the more impressive space.

Entertainment and enrichment

This is where the two lines diverge most sharply, and where personal preference matters more than any objective quality comparison.

Celebrity delivers entertainment. The Theatre on Edge-class ships hosts Broadway-style productions, acrobatic performances, comedy, and magic shows — choreographed, costumed, and technically polished. Celebrity Xcel, the newest ship (November 2025), debuted the line’s biggest entertainment lineup to date with immersive shows, live music experiences, and interactive games. Eden on Edge/Apex/Beyond/Ascent is a three-storey venue that transitions from “chillful” mornings to “playful” afternoons to “sinful” evenings with immersive performance elements. The Bazaar on Xcel replaced Eden with rotating destination-inspired festivals. Multiple bars feature live pianists, ensembles, and pool deck bands. The Martini Bar’s flair bartenders are a Celebrity institution. The casino operates nightly. Themed deck parties, trivia, wine tastings, and mixology classes fill the daytime programming. For travellers who want things to do after dinner, Celebrity delivers options that Viking simply does not have.

Viking delivers enrichment. The Resident Historian programme is unique in the cruise industry — a university-style curriculum of lectures, roundtable discussions, and daily office hours for one-on-one conversations, all tailored to the specific itinerary being sailed. Destination speakers include archaeologists, authors, and cultural experts. Destination Performances bring local musicians and performers aboard — flamenco in Spain, opera in Italy, folk music in Scandinavia. The Metropolitan Opera “Live in HD” screenings with backstage interviews and TED Talks programmes provide intellectual stimulation that no other premium line matches. Viking Orion and Viking Jupiter feature onboard planetariums. The Explorers’ Lounge — a two-level space with floor-to-ceiling glass at the bow — is a signature gathering space with a library and live music. Torshavn is the late-night venue, though “late night” on Viking tends to wind down earlier than on Celebrity. There are no production shows in the Celebrity sense, no casino, and no high-energy themed parties.

The divide is genuine. Travellers who have spent decades on entertainment-forward lines may find Viking’s evenings quiet — “boring” is the word that appears in some reviews, though Viking loyalists would call it “peaceful.” Travellers who value intellectual engagement and cultural depth may find Celebrity’s shows entertaining but unconnected to the destination. In my experience, clients who love Viking love it with an intensity that exceeds almost any other line — but those who want nightlife options will be disappointed. Neither approach is wrong; they simply serve different preferences.

The dress code reflects the broader philosophy. Viking has no formal nights — the dress code is “elegant casual” every evening, every sailing. Celebrity has Smart Casual most evenings with one to three “Evening Chic” nights per cruise (cocktail dress, blazer, designer jeans — tuxedos welcome but not required). Neither mandates black tie, but Celebrity does ask guests to make an effort on select nights. For Australians who prefer to travel with a single carry-on and avoid packing formal wear, Viking is simpler.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet comparison reveals different growth strategies and different approaches to consistency.

Celebrity operates 16 ocean ships across three classes spanning 24 years of shipbuilding. The five Edge-class ships (Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, and Xcel, built 2018–2025) are the flagship product — design-forward vessels at 130,818 to 141,420 gross tonnes carrying 2,918 to 3,260 guests. A sixth Edge-class ship, Celebrity Xcite, is under construction for 2028 delivery. Five Solstice-class ships (2008–2012) at 122,000–126,000 gross tonnes carry approximately 2,852–3,046 guests. Four Millennium-class ships (2000–2002) at 90,940 gross tonnes carry 2,170–2,218 guests. Celebrity Flora (2019, 100 guests) is a purpose-built Galapagos expedition vessel. Celebrity is also building a river fleet — 20 ships planned by 2031, with the first two (Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker) due in 2027 on European rivers. The experience varies meaningfully by ship class. Edge-class ships feel cutting-edge; Millennium-class ships, despite refurbishment, feel their age.

Viking operates 11 ocean ships (becoming 15 by end of 2028) built on a philosophy of deliberate consistency. Nine Star-class ships (2015–2023) at 47,800 gross tonnes each carry 930 guests. Two Vela-class ships (Viking Vela, December 2024; Viking Vesta, July 2025) at approximately 54,300 gross tonnes carry 998 guests, with four more Vela-class vessels on order through 2028. Every ship has the same deck layout, same restaurant names, same cabin categories, and same public spaces. A guest who knows Viking Star knows Viking Saturn. The Vela-class ships add 35 cabins and 68 guests, plus hybrid engines and solar panels, but maintain the identical design language. Viking also operates two expedition ships (Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, 378 guests each) and approximately 80 river ships, but these are separate product lines.

Destination coverage overlaps substantially — both lines serve the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, the Caribbean, and South America. Key differences:

The Galapagos is Celebrity-exclusive from this pairing. Celebrity Flora is a purpose-built, all-suites expedition vessel with 11 certified naturalist guides, a dynamic positioning system that protects the seabed, and Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star recognition. Viking has no equivalent.

The Great Lakes and polar expedition are Viking-exclusive. Viking Octantis operates the only luxury Great Lakes itineraries, while Octantis and Polaris reach Antarctica and the Arctic. Celebrity has no dedicated polar expedition programme.

Northern Europe is Viking’s spiritual home. The brand identity is Nordic, the spa design is Scandinavian, the Resident Historian programme provides deep cultural context for Baltic and fjord itineraries, and smaller ships access ports that Celebrity’s 130,000+ gross tonne vessels cannot reach. Celebrity has a strong Northern Europe programme — 28 sailings per season — but Viking has an authenticity advantage here that is difficult to replicate.

The Caribbean favours Celebrity, which deploys up to nine ships from Florida ports year-round with extensive eastern, western, and southern Caribbean itineraries. Viking’s Caribbean presence is smaller and often combined with longer transatlantic or Central American sailings.

Where each line excels

Celebrity excels in:

• Ship design innovation. The Edge-class is genuinely groundbreaking — the Magic Carpet, Infinite Verandas, Eden, and The Bazaar (on Xcel) have no equivalents on Viking. These ships feel architecturally ambitious in a way Viking’s consistent-but-conservative fleet does not.
• The Retreat suite experience. Butler service, Luminae restaurant with Daniel Boulud menus, the Retreat Lounge and Sundeck, Premium Beverage and Wi-Fi packages, and unlimited speciality dining create a ship-within-a-ship that delivers luxury-line value at premium-line pricing.
• Family and multi-generational travel. Camp at Sea programmes, family suites, and staterooms for children make Celebrity the only option for families from this pairing.
• The Galapagos. Celebrity Flora is a purpose-built, all-inclusive expedition vessel with naturalist guides, dynamic positioning, and solar panels. It is one of the finest small ships in the world.
• Entertainment and nightlife. Broadway-style shows, live music across multiple venues, casino gaming, and social events give Celebrity a livelier evening atmosphere.
• Flexible pricing. Inside cabins from approximately $150 per night provide a genuinely lower entry point for budget-conscious travellers who do not need all the inclusions.

Viking excels in:

• Cultural enrichment. The Resident Historian programme, TED Talks, Metropolitan Opera screenings, destination speakers, and destination performances create an intellectually stimulating environment that no other premium line matches.
• All-inclusive value. Speciality dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, thermal spa access, and wine at meals are all included in the fare — eliminating the mental arithmetic of add-on costs.
• Smaller ship intimacy. At 930 guests versus Celebrity’s 2,918–3,260, Viking ships feel notably calmer, with less crowding at the pool, shorter queues, and a more personal relationship with crew.
• Consistent fleet product. Know one Viking ship, know them all. This consistency simplifies repeat bookings and eliminates the ship-lottery anxiety that Celebrity’s three-class fleet can create.
• Adults-only atmosphere. The strict 18-plus policy, no casino, and no themed parties create a serene environment that couples specifically seek.
• Scandinavian wellness. The complimentary LivNordic Spa thermal suite — including the snow grotto — is available to every guest daily without booking or payment.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Celebrity

110-Night Grand Voyage — Alaska to Asia (Celebrity Solstice, departing 13 September 2026). One of the most ambitious itineraries from any premium line — 55 unique destinations across 15 countries and 65 days ashore, routing from Alaska through the Pacific to Australia/New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, finishing in Hong Kong on New Year’s Eve. Overnights in Phuket, Halong Bay, and Auckland. No repeated ports.

13-Night New Zealand Holiday Cruise (Celebrity Edge, roundtrip Sydney, December). Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, and seven New Zealand port stops on Celebrity’s flagship in Australian waters. An Edge-class ship through the fjords is a strong combination of innovative design and spectacular scenery.

9-Night Australia Wine Journey (Celebrity Edge or Solstice, from Sydney). Hobart, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, and Melbourne — a food-and-wine-focused coastal itinerary that plays to Celebrity’s culinary strengths. Overnight stays in Adelaide and Cairns are available on 2026/27 season departures.

18/19-Night Tahitian Treasures (Celebrity Edge, Sydney or Auckland to Tahiti). South Pacific island-hopping on an Edge-class ship, with departures in October 2025 and April and September 2026. A long sailing that covers ground few premium ships reach from Australian homeports.

7-Night Galapagos Outer Loop (Celebrity Flora, 100 guests, roundtrip Baltra). All-inclusive — flights from Quito, hotel, guided excursions, meals, drinks, tips, snorkelling gear, wetsuits, and binoculars. Eleven naturalist guides aboard. Requires connecting flights from Australia to Quito, but the product itself is exceptional.

Viking

Grand Australia Circumnavigation (32 days, roundtrip Sydney). A full loop of the Australian coast with multiple ports — a unique offering in the premium segment at this ship size. Viking’s included excursions provide guided experiences at every stop without additional cost.

Australia and New Zealand (15 days, Sydney to Auckland or reverse, Viking Orion). The core Australian season itinerary covering both countries with ports including Geelong (Melbourne), Hobart, and New Zealand highlights. Included excursion at every port. Smaller ship size suits New Zealand’s more intimate harbours.

Viking Homelands (15 days, Stockholm to Bergen). Viking’s signature itinerary through the Baltic capitals — the cruise that best showcases the Resident Historian programme, Scandinavian design, and Nordic cultural authenticity. Eight countries, multiple overnights.

Into the Midnight Sun (15 days, London to Bergen). Above the Arctic Circle in summer with Norwegian fjords, Lofoten Islands, Tromso, and the North Cape. Twenty-four-hour daylight, spectacular fjord scenery, and a destination that plays to every Viking strength. Accessible from Australia via London.

Viking World Voyage III (170 days, Fort Lauderdale to Stockholm, departing 22 December 2026 on Viking Sky). Six continents, 41 countries, 82 guided tours, 18 overnight cities. World cruise offers from Viking include free business-class airfare and shipboard credits worth over $60,000 per couple.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Celebrity

Celebrity Edge or Celebrity Ascent — The best introduction to Celebrity for Australian travellers. Edge has three seasons of Australian deployment experience; Ascent is the newest of the original Edge-class dimensions. The Magic Carpet, Infinite Verandas, and Eden deliver the full Celebrity design experience. Book on Edge for Australian departures; book Ascent for Mediterranean or Caribbean.

Celebrity Xcel — The newest and most ambitious ship (November 2025). The Bazaar replaces Eden with a three-storey multi-sensory space featuring rotating destination-inspired festivals. The biggest entertainment lineup in the fleet. Currently sailing Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale — not yet deployed to Australia.

Celebrity Solstice — The ship most Australian travellers will know. Deployed to Australian waters alongside Edge, Solstice is a more traditional Celebrity experience at 122,000 gross tonnes. Median pricing runs approximately $89 per day less than Edge-class. Some long-time Celebrity loyalists actually prefer the Solstice-class aesthetic. A solid choice for a first Celebrity sailing at a lower price point.

Celebrity Flora — A completely different product: 100 guests in the Galapagos. All-suites, all-inclusive, 11 naturalist guides, Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star. If the Galapagos is on your bucket list, Flora is among the finest ways to experience it. Not comparable to the mainline fleet — it is essentially a small expedition ship.

Avoid booking Celebrity Millennium-class ships (Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation) as your first Celebrity experience. At 24-plus years old, they are significantly dated compared to Edge-class despite refurbishment. Summit was refreshed in 2025, but the bones of a 2001 ship remain. If you are comparing Celebrity to Viking, sail an Edge-class ship for a fair comparison.

Viking

Viking Vela or Viking Vesta — The newest ocean ships (2024–2025) and the first of the Vela class. Slightly larger than Star-class siblings with hybrid engines and solar panels but the same deck layout and amenities. Book these for the newest hardware in the fleet.

Viking Orion — The primary ship for Australian and New Zealand seasons. If you want to sail Viking from Sydney without flying internationally, Orion is the ship. Also features the onboard planetarium — one of only two Viking ships with this space.

Viking Jupiter — The other ship with a planetarium. Primarily deployed to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. A fine choice for those itineraries.

Any Star-class ship — Because Viking deliberately builds identical ships, the experience on Viking Star (2015) is functionally the same as Viking Saturn (2023). The crew can transfer between ships without retraining, and every public space, restaurant, and cabin layout is consistent. This means you can book based on itinerary and dates without worrying about ship quality. The consistent fleet product is genuinely one of Viking’s greatest strengths.

For Australian travellers specifically

Both lines have invested seriously in the Australian market, and the commitment is growing.

Celebrity’s Australian presence is expanding rapidly. Celebrity Edge has sailed three consecutive Australian seasons from Sydney, and the line has announced its largest-ever Australian deployment for 2027/28 — four ships. Seventeen sailings currently run each season from Sydney and Auckland, ranging from 4-night getaways to 14-night explorations. New Zealand-focused itineraries account for seven of these 17 sailings. Great Barrier Reef cruises from Sydney and the 9-night Australia Wine Journey add domestic variety. For 2026/27, overnight stays in Adelaide and Cairns deepen the itinerary quality. The dedicated Australian website (celebritycruises.com/au) prices in AUD. Celebrity is bookable on the Qantas Cruises platform, earning 1 Qantas Point per dollar on the cruise fare. The “Flights by Celebrity” programme offers an airline delay guarantee — if your flight is delayed, Celebrity will get you to the ship — which provides genuine peace of mind for Australians flying long distances to embarkation ports.

Viking’s Australian presence centres on consistency. Viking Orion deploys annually to Sydney and Auckland from December to March, with 14 to 32-night itineraries. Sixty-seven sailings are available between February 2026 and March 2028 across Viking’s global programme, with 17 touching Australian or New Zealand waters per season. The Companion Fly Free programme from Australian gateways — including Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney — provides economy flights worth up to AU$2,500 per person when booked through Viking Air. This is a significant benefit that Celebrity does not match with any recurring programme. The dedicated Australian website (vikingcruises.com.au) prices in AUD and Viking runs Australian Explorer Society events in Sydney and Melbourne. Viking’s brand awareness in Australia is strong, driven partly by heavy television advertising and partly by the established reputation of Viking river cruises — many Australian ocean cruise guests come to Viking via prior river experiences.

The loyalty pathway is a key differentiator. Celebrity’s Captain’s Club status transfers across Royal Caribbean International and Silversea Cruises through the Points Choice programme launched in January 2026. Given that Royal Caribbean is one of Australia’s most popular cruise lines — with multiple ships homeporting from Sydney — this creates a direct loyalty pathway from domestic mainstream cruising through Celebrity to ultra-luxury Silversea. An Australian who reaches Diamond status on Royal Caribbean automatically holds Elite status on Celebrity and Silver status on Silversea. Viking’s Explorer Society is simpler — one tier, a $200 travel credit for rebooking within a year, and members-only events. It is easier to understand but less rewarding for frequent cruisers. Viking’s counter-argument — that the base product already includes what other lines offer as loyalty rewards — has merit. If every guest already gets Wi-Fi, speciality dining, thermal spa access, and a shore excursion, there is less need for a loyalty programme to unlock them.

Gratuities and the Australian tipping question. Tipping is culturally foreign to most Australians, making this an important practical consideration. Celebrity incorporates service charges into the fare for Australian and New Zealand bookings made in AUD — a cleaner approach that aligns with Australian expectations. Viking charges a discretionary service charge of approximately US$17 per person per day, with some Australian travellers reporting unexpected gratuity bills. Both lines add automatic service charges to bar and spa purchases.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmosphere on these two lines is genuinely different in ways that go beyond amenities and pricing — and in my experience, this is the factor that determines whether a client rebooks.

Celebrity’s atmosphere is modern, social, and gently glamorous. The Edge-class ships feel like contemporary luxury resorts — sculptural design, floor-to-ceiling glass, and public spaces that reward exploration. The Martini Bar buzzes with energy. The pool deck is lively. Evening Chic nights create a sense of occasion. The casino adds a late-night element. Eden transitions from relaxation space to immersive performance venue as the day progresses. The passenger demographic skews slightly younger than Viking — couples in their 50s and 60s alongside a smaller contingent of families. The ship accommodates multiple moods: quiet mornings at the Rooftop Garden, active afternoons at the pool, and social evenings in the theatre and bars. The atmosphere is upscale without being stuffy — a phrase Celebrity loyalists use often. Real tablecloths at every dinner service, not just formal nights, is a point of pride. Service is consistently strong, with crew described as “flawless” by many reviewers.

Viking’s atmosphere is calm, intellectual, and quietly refined. The Scandinavian design — blonde wood, neutral tones, clean lines, muted lighting — creates a space that feels more residential than resort. The Explorers’ Lounge at the bow, with its two storeys of panoramic glass, a library, and a telescope, sets the cultural tone. The Living Room at the ship’s centre offers puzzles, board games, and reading nooks. Conversations at dinner tend to focus on the day’s port, tomorrow’s itinerary, or the morning’s Resident Historian lecture. The passenger base is older — predominantly 60s to 80s — and almost exclusively couples. The absence of casino noise, children’s activities, and production show announcements creates a quietude that some find restorative and others find too still. Evenings run earlier. The ship rewards readers, thinkers, and travellers who are genuinely interested in where they are going. Staff are described as “incredibly kind, helpful, and attentive.”

The atmosphere distinction is the single most polarising factor in this comparison. Viking generates passionate devotion and equally passionate criticism — people who love it travel with Viking repeatedly, and people who find it dull rarely return. Celebrity occupies a wider middle ground, appealing to a broader range of preferences without the extreme reactions Viking provokes. I recommend that clients uncertain between the two try the line whose atmosphere description resonates more deeply with how they want to spend their evenings at sea.

The bottom line

Celebrity and Viking are both strong lines that serve the Australian market well, but they optimise for fundamentally different priorities — and the right choice depends on what kind of traveller you are.

Choose Viking if you want a culturally rich, adults-only experience where the destination is the main event. Choose it for the all-inclusive model — shore excursions, speciality dining, Wi-Fi, and thermal spa access included in every fare. Choose it for smaller ships at 930 guests that create intimacy and calm. Choose it for the Resident Historian programme, no formal nights, and a consistent fleet where every ship delivers the same product. Choose it for the Companion Fly Free programme from Australian gateways. Accept that entertainment options are limited, that there is no casino, that the passenger demographic skews older, and that the identical-ship philosophy means less variety across the fleet.

Choose Celebrity if you want innovative ship design, broader entertainment, family-friendly sailing, and a loyalty pathway that extends to Royal Caribbean and Silversea. Choose it for The Retreat — a genuinely excellent suite-class experience with butler service, Luminae restaurant, and a private sundeck. Choose it for the Galapagos aboard Celebrity Flora. Choose it for the flexibility of a la carte pricing and the lower entry point of inside cabins. Choose it for the four-ship Australian deployment coming in 2027/28. Accept that add-ons accumulate quickly, that gratuities were removed from the All Included fare in 2023, that the fleet experience varies significantly between Edge-class and Millennium-class ships, and that the larger ships mean more guests competing for pool loungers and tender tickets.

For most Australian couples over 50 seeking a premium cruise without children aboard, Viking’s all-inclusive model and smaller ships deliver a cleaner, simpler proposition. For Australian families, entertainment seekers, design enthusiasts, or frequent cruisers building loyalty across multiple brands, Celebrity offers more range and more flexibility. Both deploy ships to Sydney. Both serve the world’s best destinations. The question is not which line is better — it is which line is better for you.