Viking Unveils the Crown Jewel in Russian Cruising

To meet the growing demand for travel to Russia and exceed the expectations of today’s sophisticated traveller, Viking River Cruises is setting a new standard with their Russian fleet: fully refurbishing each vessel from bow to stern and creating new and inviting interiors — spacious staterooms, elegant dining rooms and comfortable lounges.

The final ship to be fully refurbished is the Viking Rurik, which will launch in 2012 and offer two-room Suites that are an impressive 405 sq ft, as well as spacious Junior Suites and 60 Staterooms with full verandas. The completion of this ship also marks the full transformation of all four vessels in Viking’s Russian fleet.

To commemorate the Viking heritage and Russian history, the four ships will be renamed after Rurik and his family, Helgi, Ingvar and Truvor who were the original Russian explorers: Rurik, a leader of the Vikings in the 9th century, ventured along the rivers of what is now Russia and founded the Rurikid Dynasty, which ruled over Russia for many centuries.

Specially designed to cruise Russia’s great waterways, Viking ships are built for around 200 guests, offering a more intimate holiday. Comfort and quality, along with stunning river views in every stateroom ensures there is no more relaxing or rewarding way to discover Russia than on board these beautiful ships.

For more information vist www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk

Viking Announce Two More Ship builds for 2012/21013 Bookings

Viking River Cruises, today announced two more ship builds in 2012 in response to the high demand for 2012 & 2013 bookings.

The new ships are in addition to the four already in production. The new builds will copy that of Viking’s “green” Longship river cruise vessels, including the Viking Prestige and Viking Legend. The Longships will be 443 feet long, feature 95 staterooms per ship and will boast key innovations such as:

Two Explorer Suites—which will be the largest river cruise 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. A new all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace that reinvents the lounge by bringing the outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

Al Fresco dining areas on the Upper deck, adjacent to the lounge to present more dining choices to guests. Sustainability upgrades such as energy-efficient hybrid engines, solar panels, efficient, hybrid propulsion system and an onboard organic herb garden. 

The six ships are scheduled to sail Viking’s most popular 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.

For further information visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk

River Cruise Tours Through China with Viking

Viking's River Cruise Tours Through China now have three major delights for you.

Imperial Jewels of China Shanghai to Beijing From £2,245 / 12 Days

See all of China’s key highlights in just 12 days. Explore cosmopolitan Shanghai and, in Beijing, imperial treasures like the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Cruise the wildly beautiful Three Gorges region of the legendary Yangtze, and admire the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam. You also visit Xian, home of the famous Terra Cotta Army.

Roof of the World Beijing to Shanghai, plus Tibet From £2,850 / 16 Days

Discover the many faces of China on this fascinating 16-day adventure. See the imperial treasures of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai and enjoy a 6-day Yangtze River cruise. Then experience the Tibetan plateau, known as the “roof of the world”. Spend three spiritually enlightening days in Lhasa, visiting Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace and more.

China’s Cultural Delights Beijing to Shanghai From £2,695 / 17 Days

This 17-day odyssey explores China’s cradle of culture with an epic 11-day Yangtze cruise between Chongqing and Nanjing. See all the wonders of Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and the Three Gorges, plus visit the birthplace of porcelain, the elegant classical gardens of Suzhou, a sacred Buddhist mountain and much more.

 

For more information visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk or The Cruise Line