Viking River Cruises to introduce two more ships in 2012

 

The Viking Aegir and the Viking Embla will bring the total of new Viking ships introduced by 2012 to six. // (c) 2011 Viking River Cruises.

Viking River Cruises ordered two more ships in the Viking Longships class for delivery in 2012, bringing the total of new vessels to six.

These two new ships are part of company’s $250 million fleet-development program, comprised of several refurbishments, plus the introduction of ten new Viking Longships by 2014. The two new ships—Viking Embla and Viking Aegir—will make their debut in July and August 2012, joining sister ships—Viking Freya, Viking Idun, Viking Njord and Viking Odin—to be christened in March 2012.

The Viking Longships are a new class of vessel designed by maritime architects Yran &  Storbraaten—the team behind the Disney Dream and the yachts of Seabourn.

Through shifting the Longships’ interior corridor one meter and reorienting the staterooms, Viking’s patent-pending design of an asymmetrical corridor configuration creates additional space and a variety of stateroom choices. The result is the largest real suites in Europe—featuring separate sleeping and living rooms in each of its Explorer Suites and Veranda Suites—as well as more full-size rooms and full-size verandas than other European river cruise vessel. Plus, three-quarters of the staterooms will feature a veranda, French balcony or both.

Each of the state-of-the-art Viking Longships will be 443 feet long, feature 95 staterooms per ship and will include:
 
•    Two 445 square-foot Explorer Suites—each featuring a separate living room, bedroom, bathroom and private wraparound veranda, offering 270-degree views.  
•    Seven 275-square-foot Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom.  
•    Thirty-nine Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas, each at 205 square feet.  
•    A new all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace.  
•    Al fresco dining areas on the upper deck, adjacent to the lounge. 
•    Sustainability upgrades such as energy-efficient hybrid engines, solar panels and an onboard organic herb garden.

The six ships are scheduled to sail Viking’s European itineraries including the 15-day Grand European Tour, 8-day Romantic Danube, 8-day  Danube Waltz, 10-day Tulips & Windmills and 8-day Rhine Getaway. In addition to the introduction of the new ships, additional departures were added in late 2012 where guests can experience Europe’s festive Christmas markets.

Viking River Cruises’ commission policy pays agents commission on everything they sell, with payment 29 days prior to departure; commissions average more than $1,200 per booking. Viking also offers many commissionable upgrades to make the most of each reservation, including a Travel Protection Plan, land extensions and various air programs.
 
For more information, visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.