Viking named best of the best by Readers Digest

Viking ships feature a stunning atrium complete with the piano centrepiece.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the Reader’s Digest 2025 Trusted Brands Awards of Australia, making it one of the oldest and most respected consumer awards initiatives in the local market, celebrating the brands Australians trust most.

The awards, compiled by an independent survey of more than 4000 Australians, represent a snapshot of the Australian population, capturing their opinions on which brands of products and services are most important to them, making it the ‘people’s choice’ survey.

This year, a new category was introduced – the River Cruise Operators Category, which Viking Australia and New Zealand Managing director Michelle Black said the group was thrilled to win.

“We are incredibly honoured that the Reader’s Digest community has recognised Viking as ‘Australia’s Most Trusted Brand’ in the highly competitive category of River Cruise Operators,” she said.

“This recognition is a testament to the trust we’ve earned by consistently delivering culturally immersive river voyages that resonate with our guests.

“This recognition as a ‘Trusted Brand’ in Australia underscores the strong connection we’ve built with our local community and the unwavering trust our guests place in us.”

Reader’s Digest magazine Asia Pacific Editor-in-Chief Louise Waterson was full of praise for the cruise line.

“With its extensive and fascinating range of destinations for The Thinking Person, Viking has built a reputation over 28 years of sharing the world with its curious guests,” Waterson said.

“As the first winner in the new River Cruise Operators category of the 2025 Most Trusted Brands survey, the team at Viking are to be congratulated for setting such a high benchmark in the industry.

“This endorsement is proof that Viking’s efforts to ensure their guests have only the best choices in river journeys, visiting some of the world’s most culturally charming and captivating locations, have been well worth it.”

Viking has many points of difference, including world-class guest lecturers, resident historians, destination performances, an onboard cooking school, port talks, destination insights, resident musicians, and curated libraries.

What the cruise line doesn’t have is children under 18, casinos, charges for Wi-Fi, spa, laundry, beer and wine with lunch or dinner, formal or themed nights, inside staterooms, smoking and there is no charge for alternate restaurants.

Guests can choose between five categories of spacious rooms, and all come with king-size beds, large showers, heated bathroom floors, LCD TVs, multiple US/EU outlets and USB ports, private verandas, and 24-hour room service.

Cruises include River Cruises to Europe, Asia, Egypt and Mississippi; Ocean Cruises include Scandinavia, British Isles and Ireland, North America, Caribbean and Central America, South America, Mediterranean, Quiet Season Mediterranean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, World Cruises, Grand Journeys; Viking Expeditions include trips to Antarctica, The Arctic, the Great Lakes, North America, South America, Longitudinal World Cruises.

Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. The cruise line was designed for curious travellers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine.

For additional information, please contact Viking on 138 747 or visit www.viking.com