New Ship, New Itinerary, New Land Extensions
Early Booking Discount - Save $1,200 Per Stateroom by May 30, 2008
LOS ANGELES, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking River Cruises, the world's
leading river cruise line, has released its 2009 River Cruise Atlas,
featuring one new vessel, several ship renovations, a new itinerary and a
number of exciting new programs.
"We have called our brochure 'The River Cruise Atlas' to reflect the
many rivers of the world on which we travel," explained Torstein Hagen,
founding chairman of Viking River Cruises. The Atlas announces Viking
Legend, a new ship launching in Europe for the 2009 season, and several
extensive ship renovations, as well as a 22-day Ultimate European Journey
itinerary and some fascinating new land extensions and enrichment programs.
The company has also announced its best-ever Early Booking Incentive;
those who book and pay in full for any 2009 Viking voyage by May 30, 2008
save $1,200 per stateroom ($600 per guest), and those who book and pay in
full for a 2009 Viking voyage by July 31, 2008 save $1,000 per stateroom
($500 per guest).
"During times when the dollar is weak against the euro, river cruising
is an excellent value," Hagen continued. "American and Canadian guests pay
for their vacations in dollars, and once they have paid in full their price
is locked in with no worries about currency fluctuations, fuel costs or tax
increases. Everything is included-daily shore excursions, workshops and
other activities, all onboard meals, beautiful river-view staterooms with
windows that open-and in Europe we will be providing free shipwide wireless
access in 2009."
Viking River Cruises offers 19 itineraries in Europe, Russia, Ukraine
and China, ranging from 8 to 22 days in length. While the majority of its
river cruises are in Europe, the company is also a Russia specialist with
two comprehensive journeys along the Volga, Neva and Svir between Moscow
and St. Petersburg and one trip through Ukraine between Kiev and Odessa. In
China, Viking has the very best ships, featuring all balcony staterooms and
fully equipped Western-style kitchens. The company's three China
"cruisetours" take visitors to China's highlights, including Beijing,
Shanghai and the Terra Cotta Army in Xian, plus a Yangtze River cruise.
The new Viking Legend will launch in 2009 on the very popular Grand
European Tour itinerary, and on select sailings of Tulips & Windmills, the
company's springtime tour of the Netherlands and Belgium; Viking Legend
will bring the total number of vessels in Viking's fleet to 22. Viking
Legend will feature two decks of French balconies and hybrid engines that
are 20% more efficient than the typical river cruising vessel. Two other
Europe ships, Viking Schumann and Viking Fontane, will be upgraded, and in
Russia Viking Kirov will receive a full renovation for 2009 similar to that
of Viking Surkov for 2008. "Viking had the first Western-owned and operated
ships in Russia, and now with the renovations of Viking Surkov and Viking
Kirov they are the two most outstanding vessels in Russia," stated Hagen.
Viking has one comprehensive new itinerary for 2009, Ultimate European
Journey. This 22-day river cruise sails along the Rhine, Main and Danube
Rivers through eight European countries: the Netherlands, Germany, Austria,
Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. "Such a journey has been
dreamt of for centuries," said Hagen. "Now, the opportunity exists to
travel all the way from the North Sea to the Black Sea. What a great way to
experience Central and Eastern Europe!"
In addition to the new itinerary, Viking has renewed its commitment to
offer exciting pre- and post-cruise packages. These add-ons provide
opportunity to begin or end journeys with a few days in an interesting new
place. Depending on itinerary, guests may spend a week exploring four
Baltic capitals, exotic Istanbul, the Alpine vistas of Switzerland, Nice
and the French Riviera, Munich's fairy-tale castles or the lovely,
unspoiled beauty of France's Channel Islands. Viking continues to offer its
most popular land extensions in Amsterdam, Prague, Paris, Hong Kong &
Guilin, Helsinki, Bucharest/Transylvania and more. On select
extensions-London, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest and
Helsinki-participants are provided prepaid city passes which give them full
access to public transportation and most of the city's museums and other
attractions. The rest of the extensions include guided tours and free time
with the services of a Viking concierge to help with activity planning.
Last but not least, Viking announces several new programs and
amenities. Free shipwide wireless Internet access will be enabled due to
satellite downlinks installed on all ships in Europe. (In Russia and China,
where satellite connectivity is not yet available, Internet access is still
available for a nominal fee.) And Viking has established the Viking
Explorer Society, where past guests receive a number of benefits including
travel credits on upcoming journeys. Details are available in the 2009
River Cruise Atlas and on the company's website at
http://vikingrivercruises.com.
"We are proud that our guests provide us with a 99.8% satisfaction
rating and that through their word-of-mouth endorsements we have grown to
be the world's leading river cruise line," said Hagen.
About Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises, the world leader in river cruising, offers
quality service, gourmet cuisine and comfortable scenic cruising along
Europe, Russia and China's majestic rivers. In addition to being honored
multiple times on Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List, the company has also
appeared on Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" lists several times. Travel
agents have recognized Viking River Cruises as "Best Overall Cruise Line
for River Cruising" (TravelAge West); "Best Cruise Line - River Cruise"
(Recommend), and "Best River Cruise Line" by Travel Weekly. Additionally,
the company was named "Best River Cruise" twice by CruiseReport.com. Since
its 1997 inception, the company has grown to a fleet of 21 vessels (22 for
2009), and provides unique, affordable vacations geared toward experienced
travelers with an interest in geography, culture and history. For more
information, contact Viking River Cruises at 1-877-668-4546
(1-877-66VIKING) toll-free or visit http://vikingrivercruises.com.
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