Viking Cruises® announced it has set a new world record with the inauguration of 16 of its award-winning Viking Longships®. In a multi-phased event taking place over 24 hours – nine were christened in Amsterdam; four were christened in Rostock, Germany; and three were christened in Avignon, France.
This earned Viking Cruises’ the honor of holding a Guinness World Record holder for 'The Most Ships Inaugurated in One Day by One Company.’ Viking already held the previous record, having christened 10 new ships in one day in 2013.
On Friday, March 21, Viking will also christen two new, unique river vessels in Porto, Portugal – bringing the total to 18 new ships launched across four countries in five days.
“Today we mark a new milestone for Viking and for modern river cruising. We are proud to celebrate the arrival of our newest ships,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises®. “River cruising is the fastest-growing segment of travel, and it is in large part because of the enthusiasm of our guests and travel trade partners that we have enjoyed such success.”
Each of the new Viking Longships® will sail Viking’s most popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main, Danube and Rhone rivers in Europe, and, for the first time, four ships will be deployed on two separate itineraries in France.
Since debuting in 2012, Viking Longships® have amassed a long list of prestigious awards. They recently topped Condé Nast Traveler’s annual readers’ Cruise Poll for best river cruise ships – with Viking Odin specifically being named the #1 top-ranking river cruise ship – and the entire class of vessels was named “Best New River Ships of 2012” in Cruise Critic’s® Editors’ Picks Awards.
Each vessel is named for a prominent figure in Norse mythology and features cutting-edge technology and an environmentally friendly engine system, solar panels and an organic herb garden, balcony cabins with full-sized verandahs, and an indoor-outdoor casual eatery with panoramic views, Aquavit Terrace. Accommodating 190 passengers in 95 staterooms, Viking Longships have a patented layout that allows for two Explorer Suites – the largest river cruise suites in Europe – as well as seven two-room Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom; 39 Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas; and 22 French Balcony Staterooms.
Inspired by the design of the Viking Longships®, the company’s two new vessels in Portugal will be smaller, hosting 106 passengers in 53 staterooms, but will tout many of the same popular features as Viking Longships – including Aquavit Terrace, a wide variety of stateroom choices, onboard solar panels and organic herb garden, as well as Viking’s signature Scandinavian design aesthetic.
The expansion of Viking’s fleet comes as a response to increased traveler demand for destination-focused cruises. In addition to the new Viking Longships® and new vessels in Portugal, Viking will venture into the world of ocean cruises. Viking Ocean Cruises will make its debut in the spring of 2015 with the Viking Star, its first ocean going vessel. A second ship is currently on order for 2016. The Viking Star will carry 928 passengers to Scandinavia, the Baltic region and the Mediterranean. The ship will also have two pools, twelve dining experiences, a spa, and a variety of onboard entertainment.
