VIKING RIVER CRUISES CELEBRATES ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY

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VIKING RIVER CRUISES CELEBRATES ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY

Postby HostDave » Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:10 pm

Los Angeles (January 23, 2012) – Anniversaries call for celebration, and as Viking River Cruises marks its 15th anniversary in 2012, the world’s leading river cruise line is planning the biggest year in its history. Founded in 1997, Viking River Cruises was established with four Russian river cruise vessels and a company name to honor the Vikings that first traveled by longship to explore Russia’s waterways. Today, Viking owns and operates the world’s largest fleet of river vessels, and 2012 will see the launch of six new Viking Longships—an industry first—as well as the completion of its Russian fleet refurbishment.

Since entering the North American market in 2000, Viking River Cruises has continued to set industry standards with best-in-class river cruise ships, award-winning service, outstanding quality and all-inclusive itineraries offered at a competitive price. An industry leader, Viking is the only river cruise company to operate in the six regions of Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. A testament to Viking’s standard of excellence, the company has received numerous accolades and recognition over the last 15 years. Just recently, Viking was bestowed “Best River Cruise Line” in Cruise Critic’s 4th Annual Editors’ Picks Awards, “Best Luxury River Cruise Company” by Luxury Travel Advisor, best river cruise line for the sixth year in a row in Travel Weekly’s 2011 Readers Choice Awards and was ranked by readers of Condé Nast Traveler in the annual 2012 Gold List awards.

“Every year I am proud of our company’s milestones, but this is certainly a special anniversary in Viking’s history. Over the last 15 years, we have pioneered a new category in the cruise industry, and we have set the precedent for quality and excellence,” says Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking River Cruises. “We have always been an ambitious company and, as we enter this new chapter, we are looking forward to a groundbreaking year that will set the course for innovation and expansion in years to come.”

New Viking Longships

Viking’s biggest event of 2012—and its history—will be the debut of its six new Viking Longships. Designed by celebrated maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten, the Viking Longships will herald a new standard in European river cruising. The new vessels will hold 190 passengers and will feature cutting-edge technology and amenities including energy-efficient hybrid engines and the largest real suites in Europe, as well as more full-size rooms and full-size verandas than other European river cruise vessels.

On March 21, 2012 in Amsterdam, Viking will christen four of the six Viking Longships—Viking Njord, Viking Odin, Viking Idun and Viking Freya. A historic event, the christening will mark the first time in history that four cruise ships will be christened at once. After departing from Amsterdam, the Viking Longships will sail Viking’s most popular European itineraries including the 15-day Grand European Tour, 8-day Romantic Danube, 8-day Danube Waltz and 10-day Tulips & Windmills. Joining their sister ships, two more Viking Longships—Viking Embla and Viking Aegir—will make their debut in July and August 2012, respectively. And given unprecedented demand, Viking is reviewing its new build program for 2013 and 2014.

Russia Revamp

Also new for 2012 is an enhanced Russian offering from Viking. With the launch of Viking Rurik (formerly Viking Peterhof), this year will mark the completion of bow-to-stern refurbishments of Viking’s owned and operated Russian fleet, which set a new standard as the best river cruise ships in Russia and the only fleet entirely Western-managed. To commemorate the transformations and to honor Viking’s heritage, the ships have been renamed—Viking Rurik, Viking Helgi, Viking Ingvar and Viking Truvor. In addition to multiple itinerary updates, new for 2012 is an eight-day program, The Glories of the Hermitage, which features exclusive access to and private tours of one of the world’s greatest museums, and the launch of an entirely Russia-focused microsite, http://www.TheRealRussia.com.

Special Pricing

Kicking off Viking’s 15th anniversary year, as well as “wave season,” Viking is currently offering special deals including up to 2-for-1 pricing on select river cruise itineraries, as well as promotional offers on roundtrip international air. Details for these offers are found on itinerary dates and pricing pages throughout the company’s website, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com.

MemberErik
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Re: VIKING RIVER CRUISES CELEBRATES ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY

Postby MemberErik » Wed Feb 01, 2012 10:01 am

I did a short Danube river cruise a long time ago (not with Viking) and am considering a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest for a "milestone" birthday next year. Does anyone have experience with River cruises and specific lines that they would recommend.... I'm not sure that this is what I want to do but it would open up some new destinations in the interior of Europe to explore.


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