Viking River Cruises – New River Ships for 2019
Viking Cruises has launched seven new river ships. The new Viking river ships order includes six additional award-winning Viking Longships, which will sail the company’s most popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers.
One additional vessel is specifically designed for Portugal’s Douro River. Viking was recently named the #1 River Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards. With the addition of the new river ships, Viking will have a fleet of 69 river vessels around the world by 2019.
New Viking Longships for 2019
Of the seven vessels on order for 2019, six are Viking Longships, which have amassed a long list of prestigious awards since their debut. Viking’s accolades include recognition by the editors of Cruise Critic as “Best River Cruise Line” and “Best River Itineraries,” with the entire Viking Longships fleet being named “Best New River Ships” in the website’s “Editors’ Picks Awards.” More recently, Viking topped USA Today’s annual Readers’ Choice Cruise Poll for “Best River Cruise Line,” and was named “Best Danube River Cruise Operator” in AFAR magazine’s 2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards.
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. Staterooms include comfortable amenities such as hotel-style beds, heated bathroom floors, mini fridge, and both U.S. and EU outlets. Additionally, all Viking Longships have sustainability upgrades, such as onboard solar panels and organic herb gardens, and energy-efficient hybrid engines that also reduce vibrations for a remarkably smooth ride.
New Ship for the Douro River in 2019
Viking’s additional ship on order for 2019 will be designed specifically for the company’s Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary. As a result of high customer demand, the new sister ship will join Viking’s existing fleet of three ships on the Douro. Hosting 106 passengers in 53 staterooms, the Douro ships are smaller than Viking Longships, but feature many of the same popular features – including an Aquavit Terrace, a wide variety of stateroom choices, onboard solar panels and an organic herb garden, as well as Viking’s signature Scandinavian design aesthetic.
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for sharing your Viking river cruise memory. What a great story! It’s really remarkable that all of you were able to plan this meet-up halfway around the world. I, too, have relatives who came over here from Russia in the 1800s. Your trip is on my to-do list and hopefully it will be possible for that cruise in the next couple of years. Thank you again for reading my article and taking the time to write.
We truly enjoyed cruiseing with Viking. Our last trip was to Russia for 12 days. We have not stopped talking about all the places we have visited. While we were in Moscow we were able to meet up with a 4th cousin whose grandmother was born in Hudson, Mass. He was very excited to meet us and talk about family. We keep in contact with him. I would like to return and visit Russia again. Very beautiful places to visit and enjoy the architecture. I had ancestors that came from Russia. Very exciting trip.
Patricia Statkus