Viking River Cruises Honored By Readers Of Travel + Leisure In Two Categories

 Viking River Cruises has once again been recognized by readers of Travel + Leisure in its 16th annual “World’s Best” awards, which is featured in the publication’s August 2011 issue. The company was included for the second consecutive year in the “River Cruises” category, which debuted on the list in 2010, as well as appearing in the “Top River Cruising for Families” category, brand-new in 2011.

“Viking has been acknowledged by Travel + Leisure readers seven times, which is more than any other river cruise line,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. “It is a true honor to be included in such a prestigious list, compiled from the experiences and opinions of sophisticated travelers, and I am proud to say that we are ranked among the world’s best.”

Viking River Cruises, the world’s largest river cruise line, provides its guests with in depth, culturally rich travel experiences along the world’s great rivers in six regions worldwide—Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt—and maintains more than 99% in positive guest satisfaction ratings.

“By showcasing an entirely separate category dedicated to river cruising and adding a second category this year, the editors of Travel + Leisure have confirmed that it is now a mainstream travel option,” adds Hagen. “Over the past several years we have seen some growth in families cruising together—multi-generational travel where adult children are traveling with their parents—and to be recognized for this form of family travel by Travel + Leisure readers is very exciting and fulfilling.”

Viking River Cruises recently embarked on its $250 million fleet development program that began earlier this year with the introduction of the 256-guest Viking Emerald, the newest and most elegant ship on China’s Yangtze River, featuring the largest suites in river cruising with the 603-square-foot Explorer Suites. On June 30, Viking christened its newest European ship, Viking Prestige, a 188-passenger state-of-the-art “green” river cruise vessel, which will sail the popular 8-day Romantic Danube itinerary. In 2012, Viking will launch the Viking Longships—four European sister ships, Viking Freya, Viking Idun, Viking Njord and Viking Odin—a new class of vessel within the fleet that is marked by sophisticated and inviting design coupled with innovative, high-tech, patent-pending features and a variety of stateroom options including Explorer Suites, Veranda Suites as well as Veranda staterooms and French Balcony staterooms. The Viking Longships will showcase the new Aquavit Terrace, an open air area that reinvents the lounge by bringing the outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors where passengers can enjoy a drink or meal al fresco; this exclusive feature made its debut on Viking Prestige earlier this month.

In addition to new ships, Viking has announced plans to complete the full refurbishment of its Russian fleet, four ships that the company owns and operates. Scheduled for completion in 2012, Viking Peterhof will undergo a full bow-to-stern renovation in which 4 Suites, 2 Junior Suites and 60 Veranda Staterooms—each featuring a private veranda—will be added as well as upgrades to public areas such as the restaurant, lounges, library and bar, all with Viking’s signature Scandinavian décor. Viking Peterhof joins Viking’s other Russian vessels—Viking Surkov, Viking Kirov and Viking Pakhomov—which were also completely refurbished in 2008, 2010 and 2011, respectively, making them the best ships sailing Russia’s waterways.

Dates and pricing as well as ship and itinerary information are available on the company’s website. Viking’s all-inclusive pricing features accommodations, all onboard meals, daily guided shore excursions and more. For additional details, contact your travel agent or Viking River Cruises toll-free at 1-877-668-4546 or visit http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/