Viking Holdings Surpasses Q1 Revenue Expectations Amid Cost Pressures
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 14 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Revenue Growth: Viking Holdings reported a 17.5% year-over-year increase in sales to $1.06 billion in Q1, exceeding analyst expectations and demonstrating strong market performance despite ongoing cost pressures.
- Cost Pressures: Vessel operating expenses rose 15.4% to $357.5 million, with operating expenses excluding fuel increasing 18% to $47.9 million, primarily due to maintenance timing and repair costs, impacting profitability.
- Improved Adjusted Loss: The company reported an adjusted quarterly loss of $0.11 per share, an improvement from a loss of $0.24 per share in the same quarter last year, aligning with analyst expectations and indicating progress in cost control.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Operating capacity is projected to increase by 7% in 2026 and 15% in 2027, with bookings up 13% for 2026 and 31% for 2027, reflecting strong market demand recovery.
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Analyst Views on VIK
Wall Street analysts forecast VIK stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 92.340
Low
59.00
Averages
71.93
High
85.00
Current: 92.340
Low
59.00
Averages
71.93
High
85.00
About VIK
Viking Holdings Ltd provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans, and lakes around the world. The Company offers travel experiences on all seven continents in all three categories of the cruise industry - river, ocean, and expedition cruising. Its cruise line offers experiences on all seven continents with itineraries across five oceans, 21 rivers and five lakes, and a focus primarily on destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean, rather than the Caribbean. The Company’s fleet includes 58 longships accommodating 190 passengers, 11 ocean ships, including the Viking Yi Dun, accommodating 930 or 998 passengers and two expedition ships accommodating 378 passengers. Its in-house operations include Nautical, Hotel Services and Land Operations Departments. Its fleet comprised of various ships, such as Viking Gymir, Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Radgrid, Viking Kari, Viking Vilhjalm, Viking Hermod, Viking Hemming, Viking Neptune, Viking Polaris, Viking Octantis, among others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Viking Holdings Outperforms Major Cruise Lines
- Market Share Leadership: Viking Holdings commands over 50% of the North American river cruise market, and despite trailing with $6.7 billion in revenue compared to Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, its stock has surged 108% over the past year, showcasing its strong market performance.
- Valuation Advantage: With a market cap of $41 billion, Viking surpasses Carnival's $39 billion and Norwegian's $8 billion, and despite lower revenue, its cleaner balance sheet and lower enterprise value of $43 billion make it more attractive to investors.
- Significant Revenue Growth: Viking's latest quarter saw an 18% revenue increase, significantly outpacing the 6% to 10% growth of its larger peers, indicating the strong appeal of its unique offerings and affluent customer base, which tends to be more resilient during economic fluctuations.
- Strong Booking Trends: Viking has booked 92% of its 2026 capacity and 38% of next year's vacancies, reflecting robust consumer demand for its unique experiences, while other cruise lines face rising costs and uncertain demand, highlighting Viking's strong market position.
See More
Viking Cruises Shows Strong Market Performance
- Market Share Leadership: Viking Cruises commands over 50% of the North American river cruise market, with trailing revenue of $6.7 billion representing only 25%, 36%, and 67% of Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian's revenues, respectively, yet its unique positioning allows it to stand out in competition.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The latest quarter saw Viking's revenue rise by 18%, significantly outpacing its peers' growth rates of 6% to 10%, demonstrating strong demand in the luxury market and reinforcing its status as a premium brand with fierce customer loyalty.
- Strong Booking Performance: A remarkable 92% of Viking's 2026 capacity is already booked, with 38% of next year's vacancies filled, indicating the unique appeal of its offerings and the affluent clientele's resilience to price increases, enhancing the predictability of future earnings.
- Enterprise Value Advantage: With an enterprise value of $43 billion, Viking is substantially lower than Carnival's $63 billion, while its market cap of $41 billion reflects financial health and strategic positioning that attract investor interest.
See More
Viking Announces 2028-2029 World Cruise Itineraries
- World Cruise Highlights: Viking has announced its 2028-2029 World Cruise itineraries, featuring a 142-day journey across six continents and 31 countries, offering 62 guided tours and overnight stays in 16 cities, which is expected to attract a large number of travel enthusiasts.
- Rich Cultural Experiences: During the cruise, guests will have the opportunity to visit up to 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, combining iconic cities with culturally rich small towns, enhancing the cultural experience for travelers and the appeal of the destinations.
- Special Promotional Offers: From now until May 31, 2026, Viking is offering North American travelers special savings on the 2028-2029 World Cruises, including free business class airfare and a $4,000 per couple shore excursion credit, further stimulating market demand.
- Awards and Recognition: Viking has received numerous accolades from leading travel publications, including being named one of TIME's 2026 TIME100 Most Influential Companies, showcasing its leadership position and brand influence in the global travel industry.
See More
Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Buys Shares Amid Market Challenges
- Insider Buying Signal: Norwegian Cruise Line CEO John Chidsey's recent purchase of 153,000 shares for approximately $2.5 million indicates confidence in the company’s future, despite the market's cautious outlook on its performance.
- Mixed Financial Performance: While the first quarter saw adjusted earnings more than double, NCL lowered its 2026 earnings guidance from $2.38 to a range of $1.45 to $1.70 per share due to rising fuel costs and geopolitical tensions, highlighting operational challenges.
- Poor Market Performance: NCL's stock has declined 6% in May and 23% year-to-date, contrasting sharply with competitors Carnival and Royal Caribbean, which have seen double-digit gains, underscoring NCL's weaker position in the industry.
- Attractive Valuation: Despite the bleak outlook, NCL trades at an 11 times forward earnings multiple, lower than Carnival's 10 times and Royal Caribbean's 13 times, potentially attracting investors looking for undervalued opportunities in a recovering industry.
See More
Viking Holdings Delivers New Ship Viking Mira
- New Ship Delivery: Viking Holdings took delivery of the Viking Mira at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy, accommodating 998 guests, marking a significant milestone in the company's ocean fleet expansion.
- Environmental Technology Advancement: The delivery of Viking Mira coincides with the construction of the Viking Libra, the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, scheduled for delivery in November, showcasing the company's commitment to advancing next-generation propulsion technologies with zero emissions.
- Future Order Outlook: Based on Viking's committed order book, the company expects to take delivery of 24 river ships by 2028, nine ocean ships, and two expedition ships by 2031, which will enhance its fleet to 114 river ships and 26 ocean and expedition ships, solidifying its market position.
- Stock Performance: Viking Holdings' shares have risen 22.9% year-to-date, reflecting market confidence in the company's growth potential despite the volatility in the shipping industry.
See More
New Cruise Ship Viking Mira Joins Award-Winning Fleet
- New Ship Delivery: The Viking Mira was delivered this morning at Fincantieri's shipyard in Ancona, Italy, marking a significant milestone in Viking's expansion of its ocean fleet, which is expected to enhance the company's competitiveness in the cruise market.
- Capacity Details: With 499 staterooms accommodating 998 guests, the Viking Mira enriches Viking's luxury cruise offerings, catering to the growing demand for high-end travel experiences.
- Sustainable Technology: Designed with future technologies in mind, the Viking Mira can be retrofitted to incorporate next-generation hydrogen propulsion systems, demonstrating the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation.
- Future Plans: Viking plans to take delivery of 24 additional river ships by 2028 and nine ocean ships by 2031, further solidifying its leadership position in the global experiential travel market, with a total of 26 ocean and expedition ships expected by 2031.
See More
Viking Holdings Outperforms Major Cruise Lines
- Market Share Leadership: Viking Holdings commands over 50% of the North American river cruise market, and despite trailing with $6.7 billion in revenue compared to Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, its stock has surged 108% over the past year, showcasing its strong market performance.
- Valuation Advantage: With a market cap of $41 billion, Viking surpasses Carnival's $39 billion and Norwegian's $8 billion, and despite lower revenue, its cleaner balance sheet and lower enterprise value of $43 billion make it more attractive to investors.
- Significant Revenue Growth: Viking's latest quarter saw an 18% revenue increase, significantly outpacing the 6% to 10% growth of its larger peers, indicating the strong appeal of its unique offerings and affluent customer base, which tends to be more resilient during economic fluctuations.
- Strong Booking Trends: Viking has booked 92% of its 2026 capacity and 38% of next year's vacancies, reflecting robust consumer demand for its unique experiences, while other cruise lines face rising costs and uncertain demand, highlighting Viking's strong market position.
See More
Viking Cruises Shows Strong Market Performance
- Market Share Leadership: Viking Cruises commands over 50% of the North American river cruise market, with trailing revenue of $6.7 billion representing only 25%, 36%, and 67% of Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian's revenues, respectively, yet its unique positioning allows it to stand out in competition.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The latest quarter saw Viking's revenue rise by 18%, significantly outpacing its peers' growth rates of 6% to 10%, demonstrating strong demand in the luxury market and reinforcing its status as a premium brand with fierce customer loyalty.
- Strong Booking Performance: A remarkable 92% of Viking's 2026 capacity is already booked, with 38% of next year's vacancies filled, indicating the unique appeal of its offerings and the affluent clientele's resilience to price increases, enhancing the predictability of future earnings.
- Enterprise Value Advantage: With an enterprise value of $43 billion, Viking is substantially lower than Carnival's $63 billion, while its market cap of $41 billion reflects financial health and strategic positioning that attract investor interest.
See More
Viking Announces 2028-2029 World Cruise Itineraries
- World Cruise Highlights: Viking has announced its 2028-2029 World Cruise itineraries, featuring a 142-day journey across six continents and 31 countries, offering 62 guided tours and overnight stays in 16 cities, which is expected to attract a large number of travel enthusiasts.
- Rich Cultural Experiences: During the cruise, guests will have the opportunity to visit up to 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, combining iconic cities with culturally rich small towns, enhancing the cultural experience for travelers and the appeal of the destinations.
- Special Promotional Offers: From now until May 31, 2026, Viking is offering North American travelers special savings on the 2028-2029 World Cruises, including free business class airfare and a $4,000 per couple shore excursion credit, further stimulating market demand.
- Awards and Recognition: Viking has received numerous accolades from leading travel publications, including being named one of TIME's 2026 TIME100 Most Influential Companies, showcasing its leadership position and brand influence in the global travel industry.
See More
Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Buys Shares Amid Market Challenges
- Insider Buying Signal: Norwegian Cruise Line CEO John Chidsey's recent purchase of 153,000 shares for approximately $2.5 million indicates confidence in the company’s future, despite the market's cautious outlook on its performance.
- Mixed Financial Performance: While the first quarter saw adjusted earnings more than double, NCL lowered its 2026 earnings guidance from $2.38 to a range of $1.45 to $1.70 per share due to rising fuel costs and geopolitical tensions, highlighting operational challenges.
- Poor Market Performance: NCL's stock has declined 6% in May and 23% year-to-date, contrasting sharply with competitors Carnival and Royal Caribbean, which have seen double-digit gains, underscoring NCL's weaker position in the industry.
- Attractive Valuation: Despite the bleak outlook, NCL trades at an 11 times forward earnings multiple, lower than Carnival's 10 times and Royal Caribbean's 13 times, potentially attracting investors looking for undervalued opportunities in a recovering industry.
See More
Viking Holdings Delivers New Ship Viking Mira
- New Ship Delivery: Viking Holdings took delivery of the Viking Mira at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy, accommodating 998 guests, marking a significant milestone in the company's ocean fleet expansion.
- Environmental Technology Advancement: The delivery of Viking Mira coincides with the construction of the Viking Libra, the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, scheduled for delivery in November, showcasing the company's commitment to advancing next-generation propulsion technologies with zero emissions.
- Future Order Outlook: Based on Viking's committed order book, the company expects to take delivery of 24 river ships by 2028, nine ocean ships, and two expedition ships by 2031, which will enhance its fleet to 114 river ships and 26 ocean and expedition ships, solidifying its market position.
- Stock Performance: Viking Holdings' shares have risen 22.9% year-to-date, reflecting market confidence in the company's growth potential despite the volatility in the shipping industry.
See More
New Cruise Ship Viking Mira Joins Award-Winning Fleet
- New Ship Delivery: The Viking Mira was delivered this morning at Fincantieri's shipyard in Ancona, Italy, marking a significant milestone in Viking's expansion of its ocean fleet, which is expected to enhance the company's competitiveness in the cruise market.
- Capacity Details: With 499 staterooms accommodating 998 guests, the Viking Mira enriches Viking's luxury cruise offerings, catering to the growing demand for high-end travel experiences.
- Sustainable Technology: Designed with future technologies in mind, the Viking Mira can be retrofitted to incorporate next-generation hydrogen propulsion systems, demonstrating the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation.
- Future Plans: Viking plans to take delivery of 24 additional river ships by 2028 and nine ocean ships by 2031, further solidifying its leadership position in the global experiential travel market, with a total of 26 ocean and expedition ships expected by 2031.
See More
