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Viking River Cruises Adds 12 Ships
Viking River Cruises Christens 12 New Ships
Do you hear that sound? It’s the sound of Viking River Cruises taking over the world. Today Viking River Cruises christened 12 new river vessels. The ships include 10 of its award-winning Viking Longships and two custom vessels for the Elbe River.
Last year, Viking River Cruises set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for the most new ships launched in a single day. That total was 10 ships. The 12 ships christened today bring Viking’s fleet size to 60.
Longship. (Photo courtesy Viking River Cruises)
The new Viking Longships will sail on Viking’s itineraries in Europe, including three of their most popular itineraries – Grand European Tour, Romantic Danube and Rhine Getaway.
Viking’s Elegant Elbe itinerary has become so popular that the company needed to add more ships. The two new specially designed ships will double the company’s capacity on the Elbe River for 2015.
“We are immensely proud of the response to our new ships that we continue to receive from guests and industry experts,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “It is always important that we recognize those who have helped us achieve success, and this year I am especially pleased to honor fellow Vikings as godmothers of our newest river vessels.”
Viking Longships
Since debuting in 2012, Viking Longships have amassed a long list of prestigious awards. They topped Condé Nast Traveler’s annual readers’ Cruise Poll for best river cruise ships – with Viking Odin specifically being named the #1 top-ranking river cruise ship – and the entire class of vessels was named “Best New River Ships” in Cruise Critic’s® Editors’ Picks Awards.
The Custom Ships
Hosting 98 guests in 49 staterooms, sister ships Viking Astrild and Viking Beyla will be the newest and most modern ships sailing the Elbe River. Smaller than Viking Longships, with customized hulls and engines specially designed to navigate this unique river, these ships tout many of the same popular features – including an Aquavit Terrace, a wide variety of stateroom choices, hotel-style beds, energy-efficient hybrid engines, onboard solar panels and an organic herb garden, as well as Viking’s signature Scandinavian design aesthetic.
The expansion of Viking’s fleet comes as a response to increased traveler demand for destination-focused cruises, and there is still an opportunity to sail in 2015. Guests interested in current special savings discounts for 2015 departures and early pricing promotions for 2016 departures should visit the promotions page located on www.vikingrivercruises.com.
