Viking marks 20 years with new ships
Two new river cruisers bring fleet to more than 60 as company also expands oceangoing vessels
Viking River Cruises is celebrating its 20 anniversary this year, and it is doing so in style. Earlier this month, the line christened two new Viking Longship river cruise ships in the port of Koblenz, Germany, bringing the company’s total river fleet to more than 60.
The two newest ships — Viking Hild and Viking Herja — carry 190 guests apiece and are the latest in Viking’s highly-successful Longship design of riverboat that first debuted in 2012. Viking Herja will sail the line’s popular Danube Waltz and Rhine Getaway river cruises, while Viking Hild will operate a brand-new itinerary, the 12-day Paris to the Swiss Alps river cruise tour that begins in Paris and ends in Zurich, or reverse.
“Two decades ago when we started this company, modern river cruising was still unknown to most travellers. Now 20 years later, we are pleased that most travellers know river cruising, and they know Viking as a household name,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises.
This really is a momentous occasion for Viking. The company’s Scandinavian-influenced Viking Longships are some of the best and brightest river cruise ships afloat, with generous public rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows at every turn. Viking pioneered the concept of outdoor dining with its casual Aquavit Terrace that’s positioned right on the bow of every Viking Longship, and the company has worked hard over the intervening five years to make subtle changes to each successive generation of Longships based on feedback from its guests.
Viking also offers a good deal of inclusivity in its cruises, with beer, wine and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner, and coffee, tea, juices and bottled water free at any time.
Complimentary and paid shore excursions are offered, and guests can pre-sign up for all their tours online at home using the line’s new My Viking Journey digital portal.
In addition to its river cruises in Europe, Viking also offers river cruises through Russia and China and will return to Egypt’s Nile River this year.
The launch of Viking Hild and Viking Herja is just one part of Viking’s exciting 20th year in business. In February, the company’s third oceangoing cruise ship, Viking Sky, made her debut, and a fourth ocean ship, Viking Sun, will join the fleet in November.
Each of the line’s oceangoing ships hold just 930 guests apiece.
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