Viking has received an astonishingly strong response to its new American river cruise offering, with some of the itineraries selling out.

The Mississippi River cruises, which feature new ships,  were announced in April.  Already all 2022 departures of the 15-day America’s Great River have sold out.

Viking has now opened additional 2023 sailing dates sooner than originally expected.

Michelle Black, Viking’s Managing Director ANZ, said there has been a remarkable level of bookings from Australian and New Zealand.

“Though we can’t travel overseas right now, exploring this part of America has captured the attention of our guests and clearly Viking Mississippi is hitting all the right notes. In particular what has surprised us is the demand for the longer itinerary – America’s Great River – and we expect the newly opened sailings will fill fast,” she said.

The line yesterday issued new video and renderings of five-deck ship.

Viking Mississippi will host 386 guests in 193 all-outside staterooms, with seven  stateroom categories to choose from. Dining options will include The Restaurant, known for its destination-inspired menu, as well as the River Café, a casual al fresco setting serving Mamsen’s Norwegian specialties.

Currently under construction in Louisiana, Viking Mississippi will be the largest and most modern cruise ship sailing America’s great river.

Meanwhile, Viking Ocean’s seventh vessel, Viking Venus, will join the fleet in early 2021; an eighth ship will arrive in 2022 as planned.

Also in 2022, Viking will introduce its new expedition cruises, with the first 378-guest purpose-built expedition ship, Viking Octantis, launching in January 2022 for voyages to Antarctica and then North America’s Great Lakes. A second expedition vessel, Viking Polaris, will debut in August 2022, sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic.

In the last eight years, Viking has introduced more than 60 new river cruise ships and six ocean cruise ships to become the largest small ship cruise line with a current fleet of 79 river and ocean vessels around the world.

2022-2023 Viking Mississippi voyages:

15-day America’s Great River from New Orleans, Louisiana to St Paul, Minnesota or v.v. Priced from $16,995 pp including savings of up to $1,000  per couple* as part of Viking’s ‘Journeys Worth Planning’ offer and backed by Viking’s Risk-Free Guarantee*

8-day Heart of the Delta from New Orleans, Louisiana to Memphis, Tennessee or v.v. Priced from $5,695 pp, including savings of up to $1,000 per couple* as part of Viking’s ‘Journeys Worth Planning’ offer and backed by Viking’s Risk-Free Guarantee*

8-day Southern Celebration roundtrip from New Orleans, Louisiana. Priced from $5,795 pp, including savings of up to $1,000 per couple* as part of Viking’s ‘Journeys Worth Planning’ offer and backed by Viking’s Risk-Free Guarantee*

8-day America’s Heartland from St Louis, Missouri to St Paul, Minnesota or v.v. Priced from $6,695 pp, including savings of up to $1,000  per couple* as part of Viking’s ‘Journeys Worth Planning’ offer and backed by Viking’s Risk-Free Guarantee*

For more, visit vikingcruises.com.au or phone Viking on 138 747 (AU) / 0800 447 913 (NZ).