Viking Cruises
Private | |
Industry | Travel and Tourism |
Founded | 1997 |
Headquarters | Switzerland |
Key people | Torstein Hagen, Founder and Chairman |
Products | River cruises and Ocean cruises |
Website |
www |
Viking Cruises is an international travel company that operates a fleet of river cruising vessels along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. In 2015 the company began offering ocean cruises on ocean vessels that sail the coasts of Scandinavia and the British Isles, and the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Viking has a primary sales office in the United States, secondary sales offices in the United Kingdom and Australia, and operational offices in Switzerland.
Viking Cruises was initially founded as Viking River Cruises in 1997 by a Scandinavian and Dutch consortium. Viking River Cruises expanded into the American market in 2000, establishing U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles, California.[1] Over time, the company has acquired and refurbished additional ships and built new ones. As of 2015, it operates a fleet of 64 ships. The company employs more than 4,000 staff worldwide and it markets its river cruises primarily to English-speaking customers in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia.[2]
Company history
In the mid-1990s, the company’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen, took a river cruise through Russia. The experience inspired him to create a river cruise company in 1997 so that others could enjoy similar experiences. Educated at Norwegian Institute of Technology and Harvard Business School, Mr. Hagen was formerly CEO of Royal Viking Line, and also served on the boards of Holland America Line and Kloster Cruise Ltd.[3] The company’s Board of Directors includes prominent investors and financial leaders with credentials in cruising and shipping, and is led by Chairman Hagen, a native of Norway. [4]
The company started with the purchase of four Russian vessels in 1997. The following year, it acquired additional ships and continued to cater to European passengers. In 2000, Viking purchased Europe’s KD River Cruises, which was founded in 1827,[5] though KD retained its Rhine Line passenger ferries, scheduled services and day-excursion operations. The acquisition added more ships to Viking’s fleet, bringing its total to 26, the largest fleet in the world [6], and gave the company rights to prime docking locations in key European cities. Since 2000, the company has built nearly all of its own river ships, uniquely designed Longships, adding 6 to the fleet in 2012, 10 of the same in 2013, 18 in 2014 and 12 in 2015. The number of ships built in 2013 and 2014 represented a world record and was noted in the Guinness Book of World Records.[18]
The company expanded into China in April 2004 with Yangtze River “cruisetours,” itineraries that combine a river cruise with hotel stays in various cities like Beijing and Shanghai.[7] Since then, the company has adopted this model to other regions, including Europe and Southeast Asia.
On May 17, 2013 the company announced the launch of an ocean cruise division [8] of small, ocean-going vessels and modified its name to Viking Cruises. In 2015, its first ship, Viking Star, sailed itineraries in Scandinavia and the Baltic, and on the Mediterranean Sea.[9] In 2016 and 2017, the company will launch Viking Sea and Viking Sky respectively, the former of which had its first float out in June, 2015. [10]
A planned expansion into the United States along the Mississippi River was announced on February 24, 2015. Viking's home port will be New Orleans, Louisiana with vessels cruising north to Memphis, Tennessee, St. Louis, Missouri, or St. Paul, Minnesota. Service is expected to begin in late 2017 using two ships, with the fleet expanding to six by 2019. Each vessel will have a capacity of about 300.[11]
River cruising
Viking’s European ships have a typical capacity of 190 passengers; its Russian ships’ capacity averages just over 200 and ships in China carry up to 246.
Viking itineraries range from seven to 23 days along Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Saône, Rhône, Elbe and Douro Rivers; Russia’s Volga and Svir; Ukraine’s Dnieper; China’s Yangtze; Egypt’s Nile and Lake Nasser; Cambodia and Vietnam’s Mekong and Myanmar’s Irrawaddy. Some voyages, including those in China, Southeast Asia and Egypt and a few in Europe, are “cruisetours,” which include both hotel stays and river cruising. [12]
River cruise ship design innovations
In 2009, Viking launched Viking Legend, the first of its ships to have hybrid diesel-electric engines. According to the company these engines use an estimated 20% less fuel than conventional engines. Noise-insulated engine rooms reduce noise and vibration and the ship has its own membrane water treatment plant to further reduce environmental impact.[13] Viking’s next new vessel, Viking Prestige, launched in 2011 with the same "green" features as Viking Legend.
In 2012 Viking introduced its Viking Longships® class designed by Scandinavian naval architects Yran and Storbraaten. Each of these ships has the same environmentally friendly engine system, plus a patented interior design configuration (Corridor configuration designs U.S. Patent No. 1832106-0001 to 1832106-0011) that creates large two-room suites, full-size rooms with full-size verandas and French balcony staterooms. Additional features include an indoor-outdoor "Aquavit Terrace" for outdoor dining at the prow of the ship, large "Explorer Suites" at the stern; solar panels and an organic herb garden. The first six Viking Longships that launched in 2012 collectively won Cruise Critic’s award for Best New River Ship;[14] the company launched 10 more in 2013[15] and an additional 16 in 2014 plus 2 smaller vessels purpose-built for Portugal’s Douro River.[16] Each Viking Longship is named for a figure in Norse mythology or history. [17]
Fleet
Viking River Cruises operates a fleet of 64 vessels as of 2015. All of its ships have been custom built or fully renovated since 1999; 100% of the cabins are "outside" staterooms with windows or balconies. The ships also have onboard restaurants, bars, lounges, libraries and sun decks. The company christened 16 ships in a single day in 2014, breaking its own record that it held the previous year (10) and earning it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.[18] As of 2014, more than two-thirds of the company’s European fleet are classed as "Viking Longships." [19]
Ships cruising in Europe
Ship name | Year built/refurbished | Class | Length | Crew | Guests | Staterooms | Comments | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Viking Longship Aegir | 2012 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-aegir/index.html |
Viking Longship Alruna | 2016 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-alruna/index.html |
Viking Longship Alsvin | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-alsvin/index.html |
Viking Longship Atla | 2013 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-atla/index.html |
Viking Longship Baldur | 2013 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-baldur/index.html |
Viking Longship Bestla | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-bestla/index.html |
Viking Longship Bragi | 2013 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-bragi/index.html |
Viking Longship Buri | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-buri/index.html |
Viking Longship Delling | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-delling/index.html |
Viking Longship Egil | 2016 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-egil/index.html |
Viking Longship Eir | 2015 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-eir/index.html |
Viking Longship Eistla | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-eistla/index.html |
Viking Longship Embla | 2012 | Viking Longship | 439.6 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-embla/index.html |
Viking Longship Forseti | 2013 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-forseti/index.html |
Viking Longship Freya | 2012 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-freya/index.html |
Viking Longship Gefjon | 2015 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-gefjon/index.html |
Viking Longship Gullveig | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-gullveig/index.html |
Viking Longship Heimdal | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-heimdal/index.html |
Viking Longship Hermod | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-hermod/index.html |
Viking Longship Hlín | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-hlin/index.html |
Viking Longship Idi | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-idi/index.html |
Viking Longship Idun | 2012 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-idun/index.html |
Viking Longship Ingvi | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-ingvi/index.html |
Viking Longship Jarl | 2013 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-jarl/index.html |
Viking Longship Kadlin | 2016 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-kadlin/index.html |
Viking Longship Kara | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-kara/index.html |
Viking Longship Kvasir | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-kvasir/index.html |
Viking Longship Lif | 2014 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-lif/index.html |
Viking Longship Lofn | 2015 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-lofn/index.html |
Viking Longship Magni | 2013 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-magni/index.html |
Viking Longship Mani | 2015 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-mani/index.html |
Viking Longship Mimir | 2015 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-mimir/index.html |
Viking Longship Modi | 2015 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-modi/index.html |
Viking Longship Njord | 2012 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-njord/index.html |
Viking Longship Odin | 2012 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-odin/index.html |
Viking Longship Rinda | 2013 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-rinda/index.html |
Viking Longship Rolf | 2016 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-rolf/index.html |
Viking Longship Skadi | 2013 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-skadi/index.html |
Viking Longship Skirnir | 2015 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-skirnir/index.html |
Viking Longship Tialfi | 2016 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-tialfi/index.html |
Viking Longship Tor | 2013 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-tor/index.html |
Viking Longship Var | 2013 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivers cruising in Russiases.com/ships/viking-var/index.html |
Viking Longship Ve | 2015 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-ve/index.html |
Viking Longship Vidar | 2015 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-vidar/index.html |
Viking Longship Vili | 2015 | Viking Longship | 443 ft. | 50 | 190 | 95 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-vili/index.html |
Viking Hemming | 2014 | Douro | 262 ft. | 36 | 106 | 53 | Sailing on the Douro River, Portugal | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-hemming/index.html |
Viking Torgil | 2014 | Douro | 262 ft. | 36 | 106 | 53 | Sailing on the Douro River, Portugal | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-torgil/index.html |
Viking Osfrid | 2016 | Douro | 262 ft. | 36 | 106 | 53 | Sailing on the Douro River, Portugal | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-osfrid/index.html |
Viking Astrild | 2015 | Elbe | 361 ft. | 28 | 98 | 49 | Sailing on the Elbe River | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-astrild/index.html |
Viking Beyla | 2015 | Elbe | 361 ft. | 28 | 98 | 49 | Sailing on the Elbe River | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-beyla/index.html |
Viking Fontane | 1991/2010 | Original Elbe | 311 ft. | 28 | 110 | 55 | Sailing on the Elbe River | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-fontane/index.html |
Viking Schumann | 1991/2010 | Original Elbe | 311 ft. | 28 | 110 | 55 | Sailing on the Elbe River | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-schumann/index.html |
Viking Legend | 2009 | Prestige | 443 ft. | 44 | 189 | 98 | Diesel-electric hybrid engines | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-legend/index.html |
Viking Prestige | 2011 | Prestige | 443 ft. | 44 | 189 | 97 | Sailing on the Elbe River | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-astrild/index.html |
Ships cruising in Russia
Ship name | Year built/refurbished | Length | Crew | Guests | Staterooms | Comments | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Viking Akun | 1990/2014 | 423 ft. | 115 | 210 | 106 | Refurbished with suites and veranda staterooms | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-akun/index.html |
Viking Ingvar | 1990/2013 | 423 ft. | 115 | 210 | 106 | Refurbished with suites and veranda staterooms | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-ingvar/index.html |
Viking Truvor | 1987/2013 | 423 ft. | 115 | 210 | 106 | Refurbished with suites and veranda staterooms | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-truvor/index.html |
Ships cruising in Asia
Ship name | Year built/refurbished | Length | Crew | Guests | Staterooms | Comments | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Viking Emerald | 2011 | 361 ft. | 138 | 246 | 132 | Sailing on the Yangtze River, China | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-emerald/index.html |
Viking Mandalay | 2002/2013 | 180 ft. | 28 | 60 | 30 | Sailing on the Irrawaddy River, Myanmar (Burma) | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-mandalay/index.html |
Viking Mekong | 2012 | 168 ft. | 25 | 60 | 30 | Sailing on the Mekong River, Vietnam & Cambodia | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-mekong/index.html |
Ships cruising in Egypt
Ship name | Year built/refurbished | Length | Crew | Guests | Staterooms | Comments | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MS Mayfair | 2007/2011 | 280 ft. | 75 | 160 | 80 | Sailing on the Nile River, Egypt | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/ms-mayfair/index.html |
MS Omar El Khayam | 2007/2011 | 280 ft. | 75 | 160 | 80 | Sailing on Lake Nasser, Egypt | http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/omar-el-khayam/index.html |
Ocean cruising
In 2013 Viking Cruises announced the first new cruise line in nearly a decade.[20] Its ocean cruise product line is intended to leverage the company’s managerial experience in ocean cruising as well as its success in the river cruise sector. [21] Viking’s ocean cruise division began sailing its first vessel, Viking Star, in 2015. Viking Sea and Viking Sky are scheduled for 2016 and 2017 sailings, respectively. Initial ocean cruising destinations include Scandinavia and the Baltics, and the Mediterranean, calling on ports such as Bergen, Norway; St. Petersburg, Russia; Gdansk, Poland; Barcelona, Spain; and Istanbul, Turkey. [22]
Viking Star
MV Viking Star is the new 930-passenger all-veranda cruise ship, classified by the Cruise Critic trade publication as a "small ship." [23] The ship was designed by experienced naval architects and designers with features including dual-fuel engines, a hydro-dynamically optimized streamlined hull for maximum fuel efficiency, onboard solar panels, and equipment that minimizes exhaust pollution. [24]
The ship was built by Fincantieri shipyard in Marghere Ancona, Italy, and the interior design, rich in Scandinavian influence, was developed by London-based SMC Design and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios. [25]
Christened on May 17, 2015 in Bergen, Norway, by the mayor of the city and ship godmother Trude Drevland, Viking Star was called “the most significant new cruise ship of the year.” [26] The christening coincided with Norway’s Constitution Day and was accompanied by artists and musicians who have a connection to Bergen. [27]
Amenities
Viking Cruises is the first cruise line to launch a new purpose-built ship since Disney Cruise Line introduced Disney Magic in 1998. [28] Viking Star has 465 staterooms in five categories, all with private verandas and a square-footage (270) that exceeds that found on most cruise ships. The ship’s largest suite, the Owner’s Suite, is nearly 1,500 square feet. [29] Multiple lounge and dining venues with several options for dining outdoors on deck. Other onboard areas include a three-story atrium, theater, library, sun deck including two pools, Nordic-inspired spa, gym and yoga area, and onboard boutiques. Its infinity pool is one of the first of its kind at sea [30], and the floor-to-ceiling windows that bring sunlight into the ship’s interior spaces are unique among ships of this class. [31]
Complimentary amenities on all ocean ships in the Viking fleet include Wi-Fi Internet access; beer and wine with lunch and dinner; at least one shore excursion in every port; a Scandinavia-inspired spa, which includes a thermal pool, hot tub, sauna, and a chilled Snow Grotto in which snow gently falls from the ceiling; fitness center; library with curated books to reflect the cruise line’s destinations; 24-hour room service; meals at all the ship’s restaurants; cappuccinos, lattes and other espresso drinks available throughout the ship; self-service laundry; movies on in-room televisions and entertainment, movies and lectures in onboard theaters; and transfers between the arrival airport and the ship. Paid amenities on all ships include several spa and salon services; specialty beer, wine and spirits; and additional shore excursions. [32]
Viking Star’s technical specifications
Viking Star is one-third the size of many cruise ships being built by major cruise lines. This allows it to enter into smaller ports. [33] Its overall length is 745.4 ft. (227.2m); its beam is 94.5 ft. (28.8m); the draft is 20.7 ft. (6.3m); and the gross tonnage (GRT) is 47,800t. [34]
Future ships
Viking Sea and Viking Sky are scheduled to launch in early 2016 and in 2017, respectively. Sister ships to Viking Star, they are also being built at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. The company plans to add three additional ocean ships to its fleet. [35]
Ships cruising in Europe
Ship name | Year built/refurbished | Class | Length | Crew | Guests | Staterooms | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Viking Star | 2015 | Small Ocean Ship | 745.4 ft. | 465 | 930 | 465 | http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-star/index.html |
Viking Sea | 2016 | Small Ocean Ship | 745.4 ft. | 465 | 930 | 465 | http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-sea/index.html |
Viking Sky | 2017 | Small Ocean Ship | 745.4 ft. | 465 | 930 | 465 | http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-sky/index.html |
TBA | 2017 | Small Ocean Ship | 745.4 ft. | 465 | 930 | 465 | |
TBA | 2018 | Small Ocean Ship | 745.4 ft. | 465 | 930 | 465 | |
TBA | 2020 | Small Ocean Ship | 745.4 ft. | 465 | 930 | 465 |
Awards
Viking River Cruises
Viking’s river cruise division has received many awards and much recognition from publications and organizations within the travel and cruise industries, as well as from the travel press. A summary of the company’s awards follows [36]:
- Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s 2014 annual Reader’s Poll ranked 17 Viking river ships in top spots, with Viking Odin being named the #1 top-ranking river cruise ship, in 2015.
- Travel + Leisure magazine’s readers voted Viking River Cruises the No. 1 River Cruise Line in the annual World’s Best Awards readers’ survey for 11 consecutive years, from 2004 to 2015.
- World Travel Awards have recognized Viking River Cruises as the World’s Leading River Cruise Operator.
- TravelAge West, a travel industry publication, named Viking River Cruises the best overall cruise line for river cruising 10 times, from 2006 to 2015.
- Cruise Critic, a cruise review website, named Viking River Cruises the “Best River Cruise Line” for 2014. In 2012, the site’s editors called Viking Longships the "Best New River Ship,” marking the first time this award was presented to an entire class of ship.
- Travel Weekly, a trade publication, named Viking River Cruises the “Best River Cruise Line” 9 times, from 2006 to 2014, in its Readers Choice Awards.
- Recommend magazine, a publication for travel agents, awarded Viking “Best River Cruise Line” in their Readers Choice Awards 9 consecutive years.
- Porthole cruise magazine’s readers voted Viking River Cruises the “Best River Cruise Line” 4 times in the Reader’s Choice Award.
- CruiseReport.com commended Viking River Cruises with the “Best Way to See Russia” and “Best River Cruise Line” awards in 2012.
- LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com has voted Viking River Cruises the “Best Luxury River Cruise Company” 2 times.
- SeaTrade Insider awarded Viking River Cruises their first-ever River Cruise Innovation Award in 2001 for the company’s Viking Longships.
- Fodor’s Travel awarded Viking River Cruises’ Legends of the Rhine river cruise the “World’s Best Cruise for 2015.”
Viking Ocean Cruises
The 2015 maiden voyage of the Viking Star received many accolades from cruise industry experts and critics.
- Cruise Critic, a cruise review website, named Viking Star the “Best New Ocean Ship” of 2015 in its 8th annual Editors’ Picks Awards. [37] The online cruise resource has also cited the ship for having the “Best Bathrooms” at sea in the staterooms.
Media
Viking River Cruises sponsors programming on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), a non-commercial broadcast television distributor. Sponsorship includes funding for Masterpiece [38], a long heralded British series of anthologized dramas. Viking’s sponsorship supports Sherlock and Poldark.
References
1. “Viking River Cruises Celebrates Two Years in the U.S. Significant Milestones Highlight Cruise Line’s Growth and Development,” CyberCruises, http://www.cybercruises.com/vicetwyeusapr02.htm
2. Insight Guide to Great River Cruises, 2006, 2007, ISBN 978-981-258-397-0, p. 37
3. Speaker Biography, Milken Institute 2006 Global Conference, http://www.milkeninstitute.org/events/gcprogram.taf?function=bio&EventID=GC06&SPID=2213
4. Company Overview, Viking Cruises, http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/press_kit/Viking_Cruises_Company_Overview.pdf
5. Lizz Dinnigan, Travel Agent magazine cover story, September 10, 2001
6. Insight Guide to Great River Cruises, 2006, 2007, ISBN 978-981-258-397-0, p. 22
7. “Travel + Leisure Survey Ranks Viking Number One,” SeaLetter Cruise magazine, http://www.sealetter.com/news/viking.html
8. “Viking Cruises Will Begin Ocean Cruises on Viking Star in 2015,” Los Angeles Times, May 17, 2013, http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/17/news/la-trb-viking-cruises-20130517
9. “Viking Cruises Lays Keel for First Ocean Ship, Viking Star,” Travel Agent Central, http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/viking-cruises-lays-keel-first-ocean-ship-viking-star-43998
10. “Viking Ocean Cruises Celebrates Float Out of Second Ship,” Viking Cruises, http://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/viking-sea-float-out.html
11. “Viking boats to cruise Mississippi River.” Fortune. Reuters. 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
12. Company Overview, Viking Cruises, http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/press_kit/Viking_Cruises_Company_Overview.pdf
13. “A Viking Ship to Launch with a Green Accent,” The Avid Cruiser, May 29, 2009, http://www.avidcruiser.com/2009/05/28/a-viking-ship-to-launch-with-a-green-accent/
14. “River Cruising Sees Historic Achievement in Amsterdam,” Cruise Critic, March 20, 2013, http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5275
15. “See the Top 10 Cruise Ship Innovations of 2013,” USA Today, December 16, 2013, http://experience.usatoday.com/cruise/story/best-of-cruising/2013/12/16/see-top-ten-cruise-ship-innovations-2013/4040727/
16. “Viking Cruises Sails Past Its Own Guinness World Record with Launch of 18 New Ships,” PR Newswire, March 18, 2014, http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viking-cruises-sails-past-its-own-guinness-world-record-with-launch-of-18-new-ships-250891161.html
17. Viking River Cruises website, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships
18. “World Record: Viking River Cruises Christens 10 Longships,” CruiseRadio.net, March 20, 2013, http://cruiseradio.net/world-record-viking-river-cruises-christens-10-longships/
19. Viking River Cruises website, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships
20. “Viking Reveals Details of New Ocean Cruise Line,” Cruise Critic, May 17, 2013, http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5356
21. Company Overview, Viking Cruises, http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/press_kit/Viking_Cruises_Company_Overview.pdf
22. “Viking’s New Ocean Cruise Line Reinvents Destination Ocean Voyages,” PR Newswire, October 9, 2013, http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vikings-new-ocean-cruise-line-reinvents-destination-ocean-voyages-227092451.html
23. “Viking Star Review,” Cruise Critic, http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=748
24. “Viking’s New Ocean Cruise Line Reinvents Destination Ocean Voyages,” PR Newswire, October 9, 2013, http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vikings-new-ocean-cruise-line-reinvents-destination-ocean-voyages-227092451.html
25. “Viking Star Cruise Ship, Italy,” Ship-Technology.com, http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/viking-star-cruise-ship/
26. “First Look: Inside the Year’s Hottest New Cruise Ship,” USA Today, April 13, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/04/12/viking-star-first-look/25669227/
27. “Viking Star Christened in Homeport of Bergen, Norway,” Viking Cruises Press Release, May 18, 2015, http://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/viking-star-christened-in-bergen.html
28. “Where in the World is Cruise Critic?” Cruise Critic, April 13, 2015, http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2015/04/13/where-in-the-world-is-cruise-critic-51/
29. “Living Large: Inside New Viking Ship’s Stylish Suites,” USA Today, April 17, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/04/17/viking-star-suites-cabins/25923305/
30. “Viking Star Cruise Ship, Italy,” Ship-Technology.com, http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/viking-star-cruise-ship/
31. “First Look: Inside the Year’s Hottest New Cruise Ship,” USA Today, April 13, 2015, “http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/04/12/viking-star-first-look/25669227/
32. “Hate Nickel-and-Diming? This New Cruise Ship Is for You.” USA Today, April 15, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/04/14/viking-star-cruise-charges/25755975/
33. “First Look: Inside the Year’s Hottest New Cruise Ship,” USA Today, April 13, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/04/12/viking-star-first-look/25669227/
34. “Viking Star Cruise Ship, Italy,” Ship-Technology.com, http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/viking-star-cruise-ship/
35. “Viking Star Cruise Ship, Italy,” Ship-Technology.com, http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/viking-star-cruise-ship/
36. Viking River Cruises website, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/why-viking/news-awards/awards.html
37. “2015 Editors’ Picks Awards: Ocean Cruise Lines,” Cruise Critic, http://www.cruisecritic.com/editors-picks/
38. “Viking River Cruises and PBS’ Masterpiece Extend Partnership for Additional Year,” Viking River Cruises Press Release, August 4, 2015, http://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/masterpiece-partnership-extension.html
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Viking River Cruises. |
- Official website
- "Cruise on the Middle Rhine in Germany a charming way to travel" – review in traveller.com.au (Fairfax Media) of a cruise from Basel to Amsterdam on Viking Var