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Viking (cruise line)

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Viking Cruises
Company typePrivate
IndustryTravel and Tourism
Founded1997 (1997)
Headquarters
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California
Key people
Torstein Hagen, Founder and Chairman
ProductsRiver cruises and Ocean cruises
SubsidiariesViking River Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises
Websitewww.vikingcruises.com

Viking Cruises is a privately-owned company offering river and ocean cruises, aimed at more experienced travelers with an interest in geography, culture and history. It is the parent company of Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises.

In 2015, the company began offering ocean cruises in Scandinavia, the British Isles, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Viking has a primary sales office in the United States, with 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, and expanded into the American market in 2000, establishing its US headquarters in Los Angeles, California.[1] Over time, the company has acquired and refurbished additional ships and built new ones. As of 2017, it operates a fleet of more than 60 ships. The company employs more than 4,000 staff worldwide and markets its cruises primarily to English-speaking customers in North America, the UK and Australia.[2]

Company history

In the mid-1990s, the company’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen,[3] took a river cruise through Russia. The experience inspired him to create a river cruise company in 1997. Educated at Norwegian Institute of Technology and Harvard Business School, Hagen was formerly CEO of Royal Viking Line, and also served on the boards of Holland America Line and Kloster Cruise Ltd.[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, 12 in 2015, 6 in 2016[7] and 2 in 2017[8]. The number of ships built in 2013 and 2014 represented a world record and was noted in the Guinness Book of World Records.[9]

The company expanded into China in 2004 with Yangtze River “cruisetours,” itineraries that combine a river cruise with hotel stays in various cities like Beijing and Shanghai.[10] Since then, the company has adopted this model to other regions, including Europe and Southeast Asia.

In May 2013, the company announced the launch of an ocean cruise division [11] of small, oceangoing vessels and modified its name to Viking Cruises. In 2015, its first ship, Viking Star, began sailing itineraries in Scandinavia and the Baltic, and on the Mediterranean Sea. With a float out in June 2015,[12] the company launched its second ship, Viking Sea, in 2016. Viking Sky and Viking Sun join the fleet in 2017, with Viking Spirit scheduled to debut in 2018 along with three more by 2022.[13]

A planned expansion into the US along the Mississippi River was announced in February 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.[14]

River cruising

File:CC Odin Budapest Vert2.jpg
Viking Longship Odin, sailing on the Danube River, arrives in Budapest, Hungary.

Viking River Cruises offers cruising along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. Since its 1997 inception, the company has grown to a fleet of more than 60 river vessels. Viking's European ships have a typical capacity of 190 passengers; its Russian ships' capacity averages just over 200 and its China ship carries up to 246.

Viking itineraries range from eight to 23 days along Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Elbe and Douro Rivers; Russia’s Volga and Svir; Ukraine’s Dnieper; China’s Yangtze; Egypt’s Nile and Lake Nasser; and Cambodia and Vietnam’s Mekong.[15] 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.

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.[16] 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."[17] The company launched 10 more in 2013;[18] an additional 16 in 2014, plus 2 smaller vessels purpose-built for Portugal’s Douro River;[19] 12 in 2015; 6 in 2016 and 2 in 2017. Each Viking Longship is named for a figure in Norse mythology or history.[20]

The same nautical architects and engineers who helped develop the Viking Longships are designing Viking Ra, the newest addition to the company’s Egypt fleet.[21] The refurbished ship will offer a blend of the Scandinavian design the company is recognized for and local inspirations, such as traditional geometric Arabic patterns. The 48-passenger Viking Ra is scheduled to begin sailing in 2018.

Fleet

File:Cc Freya Boppard Vert.jpg
Viking Longship Freya sails through the Rhine Valley.

Viking River Cruises operates a fleet of more than 60 vessels as of 2017. 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.[22] As of 2014, more than two-thirds of the company’s European fleet are classed as "Viking Longships." [23]

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
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
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
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 Hlin 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 Vilhjalm 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-vilhjalm/index.html#noscroll
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
Viking Schumann 1991/2010 Original Elbe 311 ft. 28 110 55 Sailing on the Elbe River
Viking Legend 2009 Prestige 443 ft. 44 189 98 Diesel-electric hybrid engines
Viking Prestige 2011 Prestige 443 ft. 44 189 97 Sailing on the Elbe River

Ships cruising in Russia

Ship name Year built/refurbished Length Crew Guests Staterooms Comments Website
Viking Akun 1990/2014 423 ft. 115 204 102 Refurbished with suites and veranda staterooms http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-akun/index.html
Viking Helgi 1984/2013 423 ft. 115 204 102 Refurbished with suites and veranda staterooms http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-helgi/index.html
Viking Ingvar 1990/2013 423 ft. 115 204 102 Refurbished with suites and veranda staterooms http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-ingvar/index.html
Viking Truvor 1987/2013 423 ft. 115 204 102 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)
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
Viking Ra 2017 413 ft. 55 48 24 Sailing on the Nile River, Egypt https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/egypt/viking-ra.html

Ocean cruising

Viking Ocean Cruises, the ocean cruise division of Viking Cruises, launched in 2013 to offer the same small ship experience as the company’s river division. Specifically designed to provide more time in port than competitors, including late evening stays and overnights, itineraries sail Scandinavia, the Baltic, the Americas, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

In 2013, Viking Cruises announced the first new cruise line in nearly a decade.[24] 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.[25] Viking’s ocean cruise division began sailing its first vessel, Viking Star, in 2015. It was joined by the fleet’s second vessel, Viking Sea, in 2016; and its third and fourth ships, Viking Sky and Viking Sun, in 2017.[26] Viking Spirit is scheduled for 2018 sailings and three more will join them by 2022. Initial ocean cruising destinations included Scandinavia, the Baltic and the Mediterranean, calling on ports such as Bergen, Norway; St. Petersburg, Russia; Gdańsk, Poland; and Barcelona, Spain.[27] With its expansion, Viking is offering itineraries in the Americas, the Caribbean,[28] Asia, Australia and New Zealand,[29] as well as its first World Cruise.[30]

Sister ship design

File:CC VSTAR Ship Ocean RND.jpg
Viking Star launches in 2015 (artist’s rendering)

Viking Star is a 930-passenger all-veranda cruise ship, classified by the Cruise Critic trade publication as a "small ship." [31] The ship, along with its sister ships, 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.[32]

They were built by Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy, and the interior design, rich in Scandinavian influence, was developed by London-based SMC Design and Los Angeles–based Rottet Studio.[33]

Amenities

Viking Cruises is the first cruise line to launch a new purpose-built ship since Disney Cruise Line introduced Disney Magic in 1998.[34] Viking Star and its identical sister ships have 465 staterooms in five categories, all with private verandas and a square-footage (270) that exceeds that found on most cruise ships. The ships' largest suite, the Owner’s Suite, is nearly 1,500 square feet.[35] 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. Their infinity pool is one of the first of its kind at sea,[36] and the floor-to-ceiling windows that bring sunlight into the ship’s interior spaces are unique among ships of this class.[37]

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.[38]

Technical specifications

Each sister ship is one-third the size of many cruise ships being built by major cruise lines. This allows it to enter into smaller ports.[39] Its overall length is 745.4 ft. (227.2 m); its beam is 94.5 ft. (28.8 m); the draft is 20.7 ft. (6.3 m); and the gross tonnage (GRT) is 47,800 t.[40]

Future ships

Viking will be adding four additional ships to its current ocean fleet. Viking Spirit is scheduled to launch in 2018, and three more are scheduled to launch by 2022. They are also being built at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard.

Fleet

Ship name Year built/launching 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
Viking Sun 2017 Small Ocean Ship 745.4 ft. 465 930 465 http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-sun/index.html
Viking Spirit 2018 Small Ocean Ship 745.4 ft. 465 930 465 http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-spirit/index.html
TBA 2019 Small Ocean Ship 745.4 ft. 465 930 465
TBA 2021 Small Ocean Ship 745.4 ft. 465 930 465
TBA 2022 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:[41]

  • Travel + Leisure magazine’s readers have recognized Viking River Cruises as one of the Best River Cruise Lines in the annual World’s Best Awards 7 times since 2011. Viking River Cruises was also voted the #1 River Cruise Line on Travel + Leisure’s 2012 and 2015 World’s Best Lists. 
  • TravelAge West, a travel industry publication, named Viking River Cruises the best overall cruise line for river cruising 11 times, from 2006 to 2016.
  • Cruise Critic, a cruise review website, has selected Viking River Cruises in its Editors' Picks Awards for 6 consecutive years for awards including "Best River Cruise Line," "Best New River Ship" and "Best River Cruise Itineraries."
  • Travel Weekly, a trade publication, named Viking River Cruises the “Best River Cruise Line” for 11 consecutive years, from 2006 to 2016, in its Readers Choice Awards.
  • Recommend magazine, a publication for travel agents, awarded Viking “Best River Cruise Line” in their Readers' Choice Awards for 11 consecutive years.
  • Porthole Cruise Magazine readers voted Viking River Cruises the “Best River Cruise Line” 4 times in the Readers' Choice Awards.
  • CruiseReport.com commended Viking River Cruises in its Editors’ Choice Awards as “Best River Cruise Line” 3 times, the “Best Way to See Russia” in 2012 and “Best River Cruise Accommodations” in 2016. 
  • LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com has awarded Viking River Cruises the “Best Luxury River Cruise Company” 4 times.
  • Seatrade Insider awarded Viking River Cruises their first-ever River Cruise Innovation Award in 2011 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

Since the 2015 maiden voyage of Viking Star, the company has received many accolades from cruise industry experts and critics.

  • Cruise Critic named Viking Star the “Best New Ocean Ship” of 2015 in its 8th annual Editors’ Picks Awards.[42] The online cruise resource has also cited the ship for having the “Best Bathrooms” at sea in the staterooms.
  • Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2016 rated Viking Star the highest in her category during her debut season.[43] And in the guidebook’s 2017 edition, Viking Sea was rated the first in her category, with Viking Star following in second place.[44]
  • Cruise Critic’s editors awarded Viking Sky with 5 stars, their highest rating, in 2017.[45] And in their 2017 Cruisers’ Choice Awards, Viking Star and Viking Sea received first place in 10 categories, including “Best Overall” and “Best Shore Excursions.”[46]
  • Travel + Leisure readers named Viking a #1 Ocean Cruise Line in the World’s Best Awards for two consecutive years in 2016 and 2017.[47]

Media

Viking River Cruises sponsors programming on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), including support for Masterpiece’s Downton Abbey, Sherlock and Poldark, among several others.[48] Viking is also a sponsor of National Geographic’s Genius.[49]

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. ^ Company Overview, Viking Cruises, http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/press_kit/Viking_Cruises_Company_Overview.pdf    
  4. ^ Speaker Biography, Milken Institute 2006 Global Conference, http://www.milkeninstitute.org/events/gcprogram.taf?function=bio&EventID=GC06&SPID=2213    
  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. ^ “Six new river ships in a day? Rapid Viking expansion continues,” USA Today, March 1, 2016, https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2016/03/01/viking-river-cruises-ships-christening/81143364/    
  8. ^ “Two more new Viking river ships debut in Germany,” USA Today, March 7, 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/03/07/viking-river-cruises-ship-naming/98880670/    
  9. ^ “Viking Sets Another Guinness World Record in Christening New Longships,” Travel Agent Central, March 19, 2014, http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/viking-sets-another-guinness-world-record-christening-new-longships-45145
  10. ^ “Travel + Leisure Survey Ranks Viking Number One,” SeaLetter Cruise magazine, http://www.sealetter.com/news/viking.html
  11. ^ “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
  12. ^ “Viking Ocean Cruises Celebrates Float Out of Second Ship,” Viking Cruises, http://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/viking-sea-float-out.html
  13. ^ Gene Sloan, “Fast-growing Viking Ocean Cruises orders two more ships,” USA Today, April 18, 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/04/18/viking-ocean-cruises-orders-more-ships/100592520/    
  14. ^ “Viking boats to cruise Mississippi River.” Fortune. Reuters. 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  15. ^ Company Overview, Viking Cruises, http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/press_kit/Viking_Cruises_Company_Overview.pdf
  16. ^ “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/
  17. ^ “River Cruising Sees Historic Achievement in Amsterdam,” Cruise Critic, March 20, 2013, http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5275
  18. ^ “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/
  19. ^ “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
  20. ^ Viking River Cruises website, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/longships/ships.html
  21. ^ Gene Sloan, “Viking River Cruises unveils plans for new Nile ship,” USA Today, May 9, 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2017/05/09/nile-cruise-ship-viking-ra/101459550/    
  22. ^ “Viking Sets Another Guinness World Record in Christening New Longships,” Travel Agent Central, March 19, 2014, http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/viking-sets-another-guinness-world-record-christening-new-longships-45145
  23. ^ Viking River Cruises website, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships
  24. ^ “Viking Reveals Details of New Ocean Cruise Line,” Cruise Critic, May 17, 2013, http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5356
  25. ^ Company Overview, Viking Cruises, http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/press_kit/Viking_Cruises_Company_Overview.pdf
  26. ^ “Fast-growing Viking to have six ocean ships by 2020,” USA Today, March 2, 2016, http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2016/03/02/viking-ocean-cruises-ships/81198520/    
  27. ^ “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    
  28. ^ “Viking Star to Sail North America and the Caribbean,” Porthole Cruise Magazine, December 2, 2015, http://www.porthole.com/viking-star-to-sail-north-america-and-the-caribbean-cruise-news-dec-2-2015/ 
  29. ^ Kerry Spencer, “Viking Ocean Cruises Announces Brand-New Itineraries Set to Roll Out in 2017, 2018 and 2019,” Cruise Critic, January 17, 2017, https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7468    
  30. ^ Meredith Carey, “Viking Plans a 141-Day World Cruise for 2017,” Condé Nast Traveler, May 3, 2016, http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-05-03/viking-plans-a-141-day-world-cruise-for-2017    
  31. ^ “Viking Star Review,” Cruise Critic, http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=748
  32. ^ “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
  33. ^ “Viking Star Cruise Ship, Italy,” Ship-Technology.com, http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/viking-star-cruise-ship/
  34. ^ “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/
  35. ^ “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/
  36. ^ “Viking to Launch Ocean Cruise Line in 2015,” Fodor’s Travel, May 17, 2013, http://www.fodors.com/cruises/news/viking-to-launch-ocean-cruise-line-in-2015-6787
  37. ^ “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
  38. ^ “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/
  39. ^ “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/
  40. ^ “Viking Star Cruise Ship, Italy,” Ship-Technology.com, http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/viking-star-cruise-ship/
  41. ^ Viking River Cruises website, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/why-viking/awards/index.html
  42. ^ “2015 Editors’ Picks Awards: Ocean Cruise Lines,” Cruise Critic, http://www.cruisecritic.com/editors-picks/
  43. ^ Douglas Ward, Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2016, 2015, ISBN 978-178-004-8314
  44. ^ Douglas Ward, Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017, 2016, ISBN 978-178-004-9090
  45. ^ “Viking Sky Review,” Cruise Critic, https://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=992    
  46. ^ “2017 Cruisers’ Choice Awards,” Cruise Critic, https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm
  47. ^ “The Top 10 Large-ship Ocean Cruise Lines,” Travel + Leisure, July 11, 2017, http://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/large-ocean-cruise-ships#viking-cruises
  48. ^ “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    
  49. ^ Chris Owen, “Creative Viking Connection Targets Culturally Curious Travelers,” https://www.chriscruises.com/creative-viking-connection-targets-culturally-curious-travelers/ 
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