Viking River Cruises christens four new Viking Longships

“The entire week was one of the most enjoyable cruises we have ever taken, and we have been on more than 40. This was our first river cruise and we will definitely do more of them—and do them with Viking.”

Kenneth Bennett & Jack Canfield

Viking News

Central Europe Weather Update - June 3, 2013

Torrential rain in Austria, Germany and Czech Republic has caused unprecedented high water levels on some rivers in Europe, and record levels of flooding in certain places. Affected rivers include the Danube, Main, Elbe and Rhine. In Austria alone, two months of rain has fallen in two days, and in extreme cases, navigation of some rivers has been temporarily suspended.

Consequently, Viking (and all other river cruise companies) is forced to make changes to some of our itineraries. With the largest fleet in river cruising and the strategic operation of running sister ships on itineraries in opposite directions, we are able to transfer guests onto other ships, where possible. Where navigation has been suspended, alternative arrangements have been made.

The safety of our passengers – and our staff – is always our top priority. We are in constant communication with those currently affected, keeping them up to date with the situation and the arrangements that are being made.

Guests scheduled to sail in Europe during the month of June should assume that their cruise is still scheduled for departure. If there is a need to alter or cancel any sailings due to the current areas of flooding, guests will be notified by Viking via email as soon as we are aware of any necessary changes.

These abnormally high river levels are extremely unusual. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation closely and update the information here.

Viking River Cruises Smashes World Record; Inaugurates Most New Ships in a Single Day

River cruising is the hottest segment of travel right now, and in a fitting feat for the world’s leading river cruise line, Viking River Cruises today set a world record with the christening of 10 new Viking Longships™. The first-of-its-kind simultaneous christening ceremony in Amsterdam debuted the ships – Viking Aegir, Viking Atla, Viking Bragi, Viking Embla, Viking Forseti, Viking Jarl, Viking Rinda, Viking Skadi, Viking Tor and Viking Var – and was certified by a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ adjudicator as ‘The Most Ships Inaugurated in One Day by One Company.’ Playing an integral role in the event were 10 distinguished women from around the world, representing the key Viking brand pillars of history, art, education, exploration and discovery, to serve as ceremonial godmothers for the new ships.

Travel + Leisure Readers Name Viking River Cruises “No. 1 River Cruise Line”

Currently celebrating its 15th anniversary, Viking River Cruises (vikingrivercruises.com) has been named No. 1 River Cruise Line by readers of Travel + Leisure. The results of the 17th annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards survey reflect readers’ ratings of cruise lines on the following characteristics: cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, activities and value. The 2012 World’s Best Awards can be found at www.travelandleisure.com/worldbest.

Viking River Cruises Wins Three TravelAge West WAVE Awards for 2012

Viking River Cruises was honored by our valued travel agent partners with 2012 Western Agents’ Votes of Excellence (WAVE) Awards for “Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising,” “Best Travel Agent Support,” and “Favorite River Cruise Sales Representative: Michael Weldon.” Also won in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Viking River Cruises Christens First Four New Viking Longships

Marking a landmark year of innovation and expansion, Viking River Cruises, the world’s leading river cruise line, proudly christened the first four of its new Viking Longships on the 21st of March 2012 at a spectacular event in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Rostock, Germany. Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of the PBS series “Masterpiece,” which includes the hit show “Downton Abbey,” and Joanna Lumley, the British actress famous for her role as Patsy Stone on “Absolutely Fabulous,” joined the celebration as the ceremonial godmothers for Viking Freya and Viking Odin. Renowned Harvard physicist Dr. Lisa Randall and Viking’s most-traveled passenger, Gail Wiswedel, served as godmothers for Viking Idun and Viking Njord. See videos and photos from the event

Viking River Cruises Announces Six More Viking Longships for 2013

Viking River Cruises, the world’s leading river cruise line, announced today that it has commissioned six more Viking Longships for delivery in 2013. The six vessels will be joining Viking Freya, Viking Idun, Viking Njord, Viking Odin, which were christened on March 21, 2012, and Viking Embla and Viking Aegir, which will be delivered later in 2012. The Viking Longship series has been designed by celebrated maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten and Los Angeles­­­–based Rottet Studios. They are all being built at the Neptun Yard in Germany, part of the Meyer Neptun group. With the six additional vessels, Viking will have invested over $400 million in its fleet development program over three years. Learn more

Discover the Douro—Portugal’s River of Gold

Viking River Cruises announces a fabulous new European itinerary featuring two days and nights in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon and a cruise along the Douro River. See some of Europe’s most pristine vistas: terraced vineyards, baroque mansions, historic monasteries. Includes a day trip to Salamanca, Spain, one of this itinerary’s four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and several visits to wineries to see the process and sample the port and tawny wines. Learn more

2013 ChristeningTravel + Leisure "No. 1 River Cruise Line"Travel Age West 2012 WAVE AwardsViking Longship ChristeningViking Odin LongshipEurope River Cruise - Tower of Belem in Lisbon, Portugal