Why Viking>Viking News

Viking Legend Set to Launch Early July

The much-anticipated launch of Viking River Cruises newest ship, Viking Legend, is nearly here. The christening ceremony will take place in Cologne, Germany on the 2nd of July; Viking Legend’s inaugural sailing, a cruise from Cologne to Amsterdam, will follow. Viking Legend will be christened by her godmother: legendary star of Germany’s large and small screen, actress Dagmar Berghoff.

This extraordinary new ship featuring cutting-edge technology and two of the region’s largest suites. Debuting on the popular 15-day Viking River Cruises Grand European Tour itinerary—which takes guests along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between Amsterdam and Budapest—Viking Legend has energy-efficient engines that use an estimated 20% less fuel than comparable diesel-only ships and provide an exceptionally quiet ride.

Viking Announces 2010 Season

Viking River Cruises has announced its lineup of twenty 2010 river cruise itineraries through northern and southern France, central and eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China and Egypt. And to launch the 2010 season, Viking is offering an unprecedented Early Booking Discount, including:

• 2-for-1 pricing on the cruise portion of every itinerary, for every stateroom category (single staterooms receive a 50% discount)
• A $400-per-person discount on international roundtrip air purchased through Viking, for a total savings of $800 per stateroom
• Complimentary wine with onboard dinners for guests

“Viking offers river cruises in four of the world’s regions, from 8 to 17 days in length, visiting anywhere from one to eight countries. There is truly something for everyone,” declared Mr. Hagen. “And with this unprecedented Early Booking Discount, there has never been a better time to take a river cruise.”

If you like ocean cruising, you will love river cruising…

River cruising is the fastest-growing segment of the travel industry, expanding at more than three times the rate of ocean cruising. Many guests have found that river cruising is an even better way of experiencing the world than ocean cruising, but some people have still not discovered this comfortable, all-inclusive way to travel. To encourage more people to discover the joys of river cruising, Viking is offering a special $1,000 discount per couple on any 2009 Viking itinerary for travelers who have taken an ocean cruise (not combinable with 2-for-1 offers). Offer expires June 30, 2009.

The best river fleet gets even better

Our biggest news is the launch of Viking Legend, sailing the popular Grand European Tour itinerary. Debuting in 2009, this state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly vessel transports 189 guests in deluxe staterooms with either French balconies or large picture windows, both that open. Staterooms will have hotel-style beds, a 26-inch flat-panel Sony television, refrigerator and 115v outlets.

We have also upgraded our Russian fleet. After a full renovation, Viking Surkov offers deluxe staterooms throughout, plus suites and singles. In 2009 Viking Kirov joins her, sailing the Waterways of the Czars with staterooms featuring hotel-style beds, a flat-screen Sony television and a refrigerator.

Our China ship, Viking Century Sun, remains the best on the Yangtze. All staterooms have a balcony—so you never miss the view—and our Swiss hotel management brings the Viking standards of service, cleanliness and excellence to the Far East.

Recognition by Travel Trade

We are thrilled to announce that Viking River Cruises has once again been honored by the readers of two prestigious travel trade publications, Agent @ Home and Recommend! In the annual Agent @ Home Readers’ Choice Awards, Viking was named Best River Cruise Line, and in Recommend’s annual reader survey Viking was named Best Cruise Line – River Cruise for the third year running. “We are dedicated to supporting our valued travel agent partners, whether they are working in a large office or their home office,” said Torstein Hagen, Viking’s Chairman. “And we are grateful that they feel the same way about working with us.”

World’s Best Dedicated River Cruise Line

Viking River Cruises has once again been recognized by readers of Travel + Leisure as one of the “Top 10 Small-Ship Cruise Lines” in its 13th annual “World’s Best” awards, as reported in the August 2008 issue. In this poll, readers rank their favorite travel providers based on their own recent travel experiences. Viking is ranked #7, ahead of any other dedicated river cruise line in the small-ships category.

Viking’s 2010 catalog include three new itineraries

• Danube Waltz, an 8-day Passau-to-Passau roundtrip sailing through Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia along the storied Danube River. Includes a tour of the 900-year-old baroque Benedictine abbey at Melk and an all-day excursion to the scenic city of Salzburg.

• China Discovery, a 10-day cruisetour featuring all the imperial treasures of Beijing plus a 6-day Yangtze River cruise through the Three Gorges. Guests on this itinerary enjoy a final afternoon and evening adjacent to Beijing's Olympic Village, where they can see some of the distinctive venues constructed for the 2008 Summer Games.

• Nile Explorer, a 9-day Egypt itinerary showcasing the highlights of Cairo plus a 5-day Aswan-to-Luxor cruise.

Viking has many advantages when it comes to quality, service and value, but we are always looking to improve your travel experience with us. For 2009, we have introduced a number of new programs and amenities to do just that, and here are a few.

Free Wireless Internet

For 2009, all Viking ships in Europe and Russia will have free shipwide wireless internet access. And in China, we have an internet café with computers for your use at a nominal fee.

Culture Curriculum

This new onboard lecture series takes you deeper into the culture and history of your destination. Depending upon your itinerary, you may discover works of painters inspired by France’s Seine region, learn about the fall of Communism in Russia, or explore the historical importance of China’s dynasties while sailing the Yangtze.

Referral Rewards

Travel is one of life’s great treasures—and sharing the experience with friends and family increases its value in so many ways. So, recommend Viking and you can both save with our Viking Referral Rewards  program. Travel credits are unlimited—ask for details.

Always expanding our horizons, Viking marks the 2009 launch of seven additional pre- and post-cruise land extensions. Pre & Post Packages are a great way to extend your stay and maximize the value of your Viking vacation.

Depending on your itinerary, you can select from new multi-night land packages in Brussels, London, the Channel Islands, French Riviera, Istanbul, highlights of Switzerland or four Baltic Capitals.

China’s Terra Cotta Warriors Travel to National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C.

The National Geographic Museum will be the final venue of the four-city U.S. tour of Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor. The exhibition includes 15 terra cotta figures, the largest number to travel to the U.S. from the tomb of China’s First Emperor. Emperor Qin Shihuangdi laid the foundation for modern China by defeating six neighboring warring states and declaring himself emperor of the unified territory in 221 B.C. Considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the tomb complex contains thousands of terra cotta warriors intended to protect and serve Emperor Qin in the afterlife.

The National Geographic Museum features a variety of changing exhibitions as well as permanent and interactive displays that reflect the richness and diversity of our world. Founded in 1888 and one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet.

Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor is open November 19, 2009–March 31, 2010.

Viking River Cruises is supporting the efforts of the prestigious Houston Museum of Natural Science to bring the largest loan of terra cotta figures and artifacts to ever travel to the U.S. from the tomb of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259–210 B.C.). Considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the terra cotta army has often been termed the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World. Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor is open May 22–October 18, 2009.