Viking River Cruises Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary and Biggest Year Yet LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Anniversaries call for celebration, and as Viking River Cruises (www.vikingrivercruises.com) marks its 15th anniversary in 2012, the world's leading river cruise line is planning the biggest year in its history. Founded in 1997, Viking River Cruises was established with four Russian river cruise vessels and a company name to honor the Vikings that first traveled by longship to explore Russia's waterways. Today, Viking owns and operates the world's largest fleet of river vessels, and 2012 will see the launch of six new Viking Longships - an industry first - as well as the completion of its Russian fleet refurbishment. Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120123/SF39724 Since entering the North American market in 2000, Viking River Cruises has continued to set industry standards with best-in-class river cruise ships, award-winning service, outstanding quality and all-inclusive itineraries offered at a competitive price. An industry leader, Viking is the only river cruise company to operate in the six regions of Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. A testament to Viking's standard of excellence, the company has received numerous accolades and recognition over the last 15 years. Just recently, Viking was bestowed "Best River Cruise Line" in Cruise Critic's 4th Annual Editors' Picks Awards, "Best Luxury River Cruise Company" by Luxury Travel Advisor, best river cruise line for the sixth year in a row in Travel Weekly's 2011 Readers Choice Awards and was ranked by readers of Conde Nast Traveler in the annual 2012 Gold List awards. Every year I am proud of our company's milestones, but this is certainly a special anniversary in Viking's history. Over the last 15 years, we have pioneered a new category in the cruise industry, and we have set the precedent for quality and excellence," says Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking River Cruises. We have always been an ambitious company, and as we enter this new chapter, we are looking forward to a groundbreaking year that will set the course for innovation and expansion in years to come. New Viking Longships Viking's biggest event of 2012 - and its history - will be the debut of its six new Viking Longships. Designed by celebrated maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten, the Viking Longships will herald a new standard in European river cruising. The new vessels will hold 190 passengers and will feature cutting-edge technology and amenities including energy-efficient hybrid engines and the largest real suites in Europe, as well as more full-size rooms and full-size verandas than other European river cruise vessels. On March 21, 2012 in Amsterdam, Viking will christen four of the six Viking Longships - Viking Njord, Viking Odin, Viking Idun and Viking Freya. A historic event, the christening will mark the first time in history that four cruise ships will be christened at once. After departing from Amsterdam, the Viking Longships will sail Viking's most popular European itineraries including the 15-day Grand European Tour, 8-day Romantic Danube, 8-day Danube Waltz and 10-day Tulips & Windmills. Joining their sister ships, two more Viking Longships - Viking Embla and Viking Aegir - will make their debut in July and August 2012, respectively. And given unprecedented demand, Viking is reviewing its new build program for 2013 and 2014. Russia Revamp Also new for 2012 is an enhanced Russian offering from Viking. With the launch of Viking Rurik (formerly Viking Peterhof), this year will mark the completion of bow-to-stern refurbishments of Viking's owned and operated Russian fleet, which set a new standard as the best river cruise ships in Russia and the only fleet entirely Western-managed. To commemorate the transformations and to honor Viking's heritage, the ships have been renamed - Viking Rurik, Viking Helgi, Viking Ingvar and Viking Truvor. In addition to multiple itinerary updates, new for 2012 is an eight-day program, The Glories of the Hermitage, which features exclusive access and private tours at one of the world's greatest museums, and the launch of an entirely Russia-focused microsite, www.TheRealRussia.com. Special Pricing Kicking off Viking's 15th anniversary year, as well as "wave season," Viking is currently offering special deals including up to 2-for-1 pricing on select river cruise itineraries, as well as promotional offers on roundtrip international air. Dates and pricing as well as ship and itinerary information are available at www.vikingrivercruises.com. Media Assets For more information about the new Viking Longships or about Viking's 2012 Russian offerings, visit www.vikingrivercruises.com, or for hi-res images, contact: vikingpr@edelman.com. For additional details, contact Viking River Cruises toll-free at 1-877-66VIKING (1-877-668-4546). About Viking River Cruises Viking River Cruises, the world's leading river cruise company, offers scenic cruising along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. The company has been honored multiple times as the top river cruise line on Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List" and Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" Awards as well as recognized as the World's Leading River Cruise Operator at the World Travel Awards. Travel agents have also recognized Viking River Cruises as "Best River Cruise Line" in Cruise Critic's 4th Annual Editors' Picks Awards, "Best River Cruise Line" by Travel Weekly, "Best River Cruise Line" by Recommend and Travel Agent magazines, Best Cruise Line for Luxury River Cruises at the Luxury Travel Advisor Awards of Excellence and as "Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising" and "Best River Cruise Line for Travel Agent Support" by TravelAge West. Since its 1997 inception, the company has grown to a fleet of 25 vessels (in 2012), and provides unique, deluxe vacations to experienced travelers with an interest in geography, culture and history. With a $250 million investment in a fleet development program, by 2014 Viking will have several refurbishments plus the introduction of ten new Viking Longships starting with six to be introduced in 2012 - Viking Aegir, Viking Embla, Viking Freya, Viking Idun, Viking Njord and Viking Odin. For additional information, contact Viking River Cruises at 1‑877‑668‑4546 (1‑877‑66VIKING) toll-free or visit the company online at http://www.vikingrivercruises.com. To join the Viking River Cruises community online, visit http://www.facebook.com/vikingrivercruises. SOURCE Viking River Cruises