Viking Explorer Society cruise loyalty program: Everything you need to know

Does Viking Cruises have a loyalty program? Yes, but it's not like most other cruise line loyalty programs.

Dubbed the Viking Explorer Society, the Viking cruise loyalty program isn't a loyalty program in the traditional sense — one where passengers earn points every time they travel with the brand and progress through multiple tiers that bring an ever-expanding array of perks.

Instead, the Viking cruise loyalty program offers just a few basic perks that are available to anyone who has taken at least one voyage with the line.

The Viking Explorer Society loyalty program's main perk is a travel credit of up to $200 that you can get every time you book a new Viking ocean, river or expedition cruise within two years of sailing with the line. Note that travel credits are different from onboard credits. You only can use a Viking Explorer Society credit to pay for a cruise, not for onboard spending.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking cruise

How does the Viking Explorer Society work?

Once you travel with Viking for the first time, you will automatically be enrolled in the Viking Explorer Society program and become a Viking Explorer Society member. As part of this society, you will receive:

• A $200-per-passenger travel credit any time you book a Viking voyage within one year of your last Viking voyage. If you reserve within two years, you receive a $100 credit. As noted above, the credit only can be used to pay for a trip with Viking.
• An invitation to a members-only Viking Explorer Society cocktail party when sailing on Viking ships.
• Early word by email or regular mail on new Viking cruise itineraries and new ships, as well as special limited-time offers.
• Invitations to Viking Explorer Society events in your city, such as wine tastings and movie premieres.
• Invitations to special onboard events when Viking ships visit Australia and New Zealand.

Note that the credits mentioned above are not always combinable with promotions the line offers.

In addition to the above, Viking has a referral program that can get you additional travel credits. Once you are a Viking customer, you can use your customer number to refer an unlimited number of other people to Viking. If they book a trip with Viking within a year, both you and the person you refer will receive a $100 travel credit (that's $200 if a couple that you refer book a cruise).

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Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

If you manage to refer 13 people to Viking who take a first Viking cruise within one calendar year (an almost impossible task in our view, but more power to you if you can pull it off), you will get a much more lucrative perk: an entirely free cruise (valued at up to $3,300).

Keep in mind that if the person you refer to Viking shares a cabin with you on their first cruise, you only will get the referral credit if you are already a Viking Explorer Society member.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking cabins and suites

One more caveat: Any referral credit that you earn must be applied to a current or future booking within a year of its issuance date.

Eager to learn more about cruise line loyalty programs? Don't miss our comprehensive beginners guide to cruise ship loyalty programs.

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