Viking Yidun embarked on her 60-day ‘Afro-Euro-Asian Discovery Journey’ from Shanghai on 5 June, which will call at 27 destinations across 16 countries. The ship reached her first stop in the voyage which was Hong Kong followed by Singapore on 12 June. The ship last visited Singapore in January this year while on a 32-day voyage from Yokohama to Southeast Asia.
After Singapore, the ship then sailed on to Port Klang, Penang and Langkawi in Malaysia, Phuket, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Maldives and then around the Cape of Good Hope, Namibia and Morocco before sailing into the Mediterranean before arriving in Barcelona in early August.
This voyage is Viking’s first Mandarin-language transcontinental itinerary and the ship will offer full Mandarin-language services for its inaugural Mediterranean season from the fall to spring of next year. Viking YIdun is now sailing under the Norwegian flag.
The 930-guest Viking Yidun is targeting the Greater China as well as Southeast Asia Fly-Cruise markets, which are showing strong potential, with the current Shanghai to Barcelona itinerary fully sold-out.
The Yidun’s offerings make it easy for Chinese cruisers as airport transfers to and from the ports on embarkation and disembarkation days are provided as well as shore excursions are inclusive in the cruise fares. Wi-fi onboard is also provided on a complimentary basis and gratuities/taxes are also taken care of.
Dining onboard Viking Yidun features eight complimentary, destination-focused venues ranging from elegant multi-course dining rooms to casual cafes, highlighted by a daily dim sum trolley in the main dining room. The Wintergarden offers afternoontea and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant offers authentic Tuscan and Roman cuisine, antipasti, and regional wines. There is also Norwegian deli and private dining rooms at The Chef’s Table.
Almost every crew member on the ship is Chinese or speaks Mandarin and shore excursions, which are included in the cruise fare, are also conducted in Mandarin. There are no triple or quad cabins and there is no casino onboard. As the ship does not have facilities on board for small children, children below eight years old are not allowed to sail on the Yidun.
Sample itineraries of the Mediterranean season
13-day Mediterranean Odyssey, 2 to 14 September 2026 – embarking from Venice, sailing to Sibenik, Dubrovnik, Corfu, Naples, Rome, Florence, Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona. Guests will spend an overnight in both Venice and Barcelona, pre-and post-sailing.
10-day Greece & the Adriatic, 5 to 14 October 2026 – embarking from Athens, sailing to Santorini, Olympia, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Piran and Venice. Guests will spend an overnight in Athens pre-sailing.
10-day Empires of the Mediterranean, three sailings in November and December 2026. The first sailing embarks from Venice to Ancona, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Crete, Athens, Ephesus and Istanbul. Guests will spend one overnight in Istanbul post-cruise, after which the ship sails on a similar itinerary from Istanbul to Venice. The third sailing is from Venice to Barcelona.
