5 AUGUST 2026 – Viking® has launched its 2026 European ocean season for Chinese guests aboard Viking Yi Dun, with the inaugural sailing departing Tarragona, Spain, on 4 August following an onboard ceremony the previous day, according to Viking Cruises China’s official announcement.
Nearly 900 guests joined the first sailing, a 13-day Mediterranean itinerary linking 10 cities across six countries before concluding in Venice. The route includes destinations in Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Greece and Croatia.
Eight European Routes Planned Through December
Viking China’s 2026 European ocean season runs from August to December and comprises eight itineraries. The inaugural voyage includes calls associated with Barcelona, Marseille, Rome and Venice. Later sailings will add destinations including Athens and Santorini in Greece, Dubrovnik in Croatia, Istanbul in Turkey, Kotor in Montenegro and Piran in Slovenia.
The programme is designed for Chinese-speaking guests and forms part of Viking’s tenth year in the Chinese market. Viking President and CEO Leah Talactac said during the Tarragona ceremony that more than 100,000 Chinese guests had travelled with Viking during the company’s first decade in the market, while China had become an important and growing source market for the cruise line.
Viking Yi Dun Tailored for Chinese Guests
Viking Yi Dun accommodates 930 guests and has been adapted for the Chinese market while retaining the Scandinavian design used across Viking’s ocean fleet. All six accommodation categories have balconies. The ship also includes features aimed at Chinese travellers, including Chinese-standard electrical sockets, kettles, heated bathroom floors and individually controlled air conditioning. The ship has no casino and Viking describes its onboard entertainment as deliberately low-key. The line also states that no guests under 18 will be carried on departures from 27 February 2027.
Viking said all onboard restaurants are included without additional dining charges, with menus combining Chinese and Western dishes. Chinese-speaking travel concierges also accompany shore excursions, while guests can choose to explore independently during calls. The company positions the ship’s smaller size as allowing access to ports that may not accommodate larger cruise vessels, giving guests closer access to destinations and more time ashore.
Tarragona Marks Start of Mediterranean Programme
The inaugural celebration was held aboard Viking Yi Dun in Tarragona on 3 August. Attendees included Viking President and CEO Leah Talactac, representatives from Norway and China, Tarragona Mayor Rubén Viñuales Elías and Tarragona Cruise Port President Santiago Castellà. Guests also watched a traditional Catalan human-tower performance by Colla Vella. The Castells tradition has been recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Passengers boarded the ship on 3 August before Viking Yi Dun departed for its next port on 4 August.
2027 European Programme Already on Sale
Alongside the 2026 season, Viking China has opened sales for its 2027 European ocean programme. The current Viking China programme includes Mediterranean, Northern Europe and longer combined European itineraries for 2027, with routes connecting destinations including Athens, Barcelona, Venice, Lisbon, Oslo and Stockholm.
For 2026, the Chinese-language European season will continue through December, giving Viking Yi Dun a series of Mediterranean itineraries aimed specifically at the Chinese source market.
Source: Official Press Release from Viking Cruises China on 5 August, 2026
