To attract culturally curious travellers, Viking has launched seven new ocean cruises across Australia, Asia, India, the Middle East and Europe in 2021.

The new itineraries ranging from 22 to 40 days, will offer “incredibly diverse” journeys to explore an unusual mix of destinations including India, Oman, Egypt, Cambodia, the Philippines and Australia.

Those booking before 31 August will save up to $1000 per couple and be able to purchase flights priced from just $395 per person, one way.

In the Middle East, Viking is offering a 27-day itinerary called “In the Footsteps of Antiquities” which will visit eight countries from Mumbai to Venice. The journey begins with an overnight stay in Mumbai with visits to Muscat, the imposing ruins of Egypt and the preserved sites of antiquity in Epheus. There will also be an overnight stay in Istanbul and a tour of Athen’s iconic attractions. The cruise will call at Oman, Jordan, Egypt including Suez Canal, Israel, Turkey and Greece. Priced from $14,695 pp with return flights from $1395pp. The itinerary departs on 7 April 2021.

In Europe, Viking will cruise around Italy’s boot, through the Strait of Gibraltar enroute to London. Cruisers will be able to experience Split, Dubrovnik, Naples, the home of pizzas, piazzas and Pompeii, Rome’s ancient monuments, Tuscany’s Renaissance treasures and spend two days in exciting Barcelona. The 22-day, European Highlights itinerary across seven countries from Venice to London, will also visit Monte Carlo and France. Priced from $12,495 pp plus return flights to and from Australia from $1595pp. The itinerary departs on 3 May 2021.

Combining the ancient treasures of Asia, the Middle East, Israel and Europe, Viking has a 40-day new itinerary visiting 11 countries from Singapore to Venice departing on 25 March 2021. The cruise will visit Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, Egypt, Israel, Turkey and Greece and priced from $21,995pp with return flights from $1195pp.

There is also a 41-day cruise across nine countries from Sydney to Singapore called “Jewels of Australia and Asia” departing on 13 February 2021. The cruise will visit Queensland, Darwin, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand and Cambodia before arriving at Singapore. Prices from $21,995 pp plus one-way flights from Singapore to Australia from as little as $395 pp.

There is also a shorter 28-day itinerary covering Asia and India departing 11 March 2021 from Hong Kong to Mumbai. The cruise will visit Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. Priced from $14,695 pp with returns flights starting from $795pp.

Cruisers keen to rediscover Australia and Asia, can opt for a 27-day new itinerary from Sydney to Hong Kong via Queensland, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Priced from $14,695pp with one-way flights from Hong Kong to Australia from $495pp. It departs Sydney on 13 February 2021.

Finally there is a 40-day itinerary called “Tropical Treasures of the Pacific” departing on 4 January 2021 from Los Angeles to Sydney via Hawaii, French Polynesia and New Zealand. Priced from $21,995 pp with one-way flights to LA from just $895pp.

Visit vikingcruises.com.au