New “Welcome Back” Voyages Roundtrip from Picturesque Valletta Mark Viking’s Return to the Mediterranean
Los Angeles – Viking celebrated on Friday (July 23) its first Welcome Back sailings in the Mediterranean—the latest milestone in the company’s return to service. Last week, guests embarked on the award-winning and sister ship Viking Venus in the Maltese capital city of Valletta—a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site—where the ships are homeporting this summer. Offered as part of Viking’s Welcome Back collection, exclusively available for vaccinated guests, both ships are sailing three new itineraries sailing roundtrips from Valletta. The new voyages include the 11-day Malta & the Adriatic Jewels, the 11-day Malta & Greek Isles Discovery and the 21-day Malta, the Adriatic & Greece itineraries. Viking has also partnered with Lufthansa to offer non-stop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Malta, exclusively for Viking guests—making the transatlantic journey to Europe even easier.
“We are delighted to be back in the Mediterranean and to be homeporting in Valletta. On behalf of the entire Viking family, we thank the government of Malta for its support and partnership in developing these fantastic new voyages,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, from onboard the Viking Sea in Valletta. “With its rich history and stunning natural beauty, Malta is truly a gem in the Mediterranean that many American travellers have yet to discover. My daughter, Karine, and I have enjoyed our time in Malta immensely, and we look forward to introducing even more travellers to this wonderful country.”
Last month the Maltese Government eased rules for the arrival of international travellers—and now allows vaccinated Americans with CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards to arrive in the country. Also in June, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it has eased travel recommendations for 110 countries and territories. As part of the new recommendations, the CDC specifically ranked Malta as “Level 1” or the lowest for risk of COVID-19.
Viking restarted the company’s ocean operations in May 2021 with sailings in England for British guests. By keeping ships in a warm layup, Viking was able to restart more quickly than most cruise lines. In June, the company welcomed American guests back on board for new journeys around Bermuda and Iceland. Guests on Viking’s Welcome Back voyages have enjoyed the experience so much that they have provided some of the highest-ever ratings in post-trip surveys—a strong indication that experienced travellers are ready to be exploring the world in comfort once again. This month, Viking has also restarted its European river operations with select itineraries in Portugal and France.
Mediterranean Voyages Beginning in July 2021
- Malta & Adriatic Jewels (11 days; Valletta to Valletta; Croatia, Montenegro & Malta) – Discover Malta’s millennia of history and visit ancient UNESCO sites. Explore Croatia’s captivating coastline and some of the great iconic cities of antiquity. Stroll the majestic city walls of Dubrovnik and visit Diocletian’s Palace. Or immerse yourself in nature and the great outdoors during a visit to Krka National Park. Multiple sailing dates July through October 2021.
- Malta & Greek Isles Discovery (11 days; Valletta to Valletta; Greece & Malta) – Immerse in the ancient world as you discover the early empires of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Visit historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Maltese capital of Valletta and Rhodes’ Palace of the Grand Masters. Multiple sailing dates July through September 2021.
- Malta, the Adriatic & Greece (21 days; Valletta to Valleta; Croatia, Montenegro, Greece & Malta) – Discover the early empires of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas as you visit historic UNESCO Sites, such as the iconic Parthenon, the Maltese capital of Valletta and Rhodes’ Palace of the Grand Masters. Admire Santorini’s clifftop villages and the walled city of Dubrovnik, and witness the rolling landscapes and captivating coastlines as you journey through the Adriatic Sea.
