Travel Agent News for Viking River Cruises
Los Angeles (October 9, 2018) – Viking® (www.vikingcruises.com) has again been voted the Best River Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking has scored in the top of the list every year since the river cruise category was introduced. With the #1 winning score, Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Viking higher than any other cruise line for the second year in a row. Also, after only three years of operating ocean cruises, Viking was again named one of the Best Ocean Cruise Lines.
More than 429,000 readers submitted millions of ratings and tens of thousands of comments as part of the 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey. Viking will also be featured in the magazine’s Readers’ Choice issue, which will be on shelves in October; the full results of the awards can be found atwww.cntraveler.com/rca.
“We have always tried to do things differently. That means above all else, we focus on the destination, rather than gimmicks. It also means that we do not cater to everyone – we offer adults opportunities for learning and exploration around the world, with no children, no casinos, no umbrella drinks and no nickel-and-diming,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “In a time where the biggest cruise ships tend to capture the most attention, we are proud that the Viking way of exploration is resonating so well with so many travelers. Earlier this year, we were again named the #1 Ocean Cruise Line, and now we are again the #1 River Cruise Line. I want to thank our guests and the readers of Condé Nast Traveler for this honor.”
Today’s announcement from Condé Nast Traveler adds to an impressive list of recent accolades for Viking. Over the summer Viking was named the #1 ocean cruise line for the third straight year in Travel + Leisure’s 2018 World’s Best Awards. Earlier this year, the company’s first three 930-guest sister ships, Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, and Viking Sky® dominated the Cruise Critic® 8th Annual Cruisers’ Choice Awards, receiving 10 First Place honors. Viking’s fourth ship,Viking Sun®, which was still in its first months of service, also debuted on the Awards list. Additionally, all five of Viking’s ocean ships have been awarded a top rating of five stars by Cruise Critic. Town & Country has also named Viking’s ocean cruises “Best for Design” and “Best Overall, Contemporary Luxury” in the magazine’s Cruise Awards. It also named Viking’s river cruises “Best for Suites” and “Best for Design.”
Quickly-expanding Viking plans to add seven new river vessels to its fleet in 2019, including six award-winning Viking Longships® and one additional vessel inspired by the Viking Longships and specifically designed for Portugal’s Douro River. Viking also is targeting February 2019 to welcome its sixth ocean ship,Viking Jupiter®.
The Viking Difference
Designed for discerning travelers with interests in history, art, music and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destination, with more time in port and more overnights. On board, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is both beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light. With the most al fresco dining opportunities at sea, featuring regional cuisine and always-available American classics, Viking’s guests can truly dine in their destination. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences on shore and on board. And only The Viking Way® of exploration provides guests with itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access® experiences.
In addition, Viking offers a compelling value compared to other cruise lines. Every cruise fare includes an outside stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; alternative restaurant dining; Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service.
About Viking
Viking was founded in 1997 with the purchase of four ships in Russia. Designed for discerning travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. In its first three years of operation, Viking has been rated the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s 2016, 2017 and 2018 “World’s Best” Awards. Viking currently operates a fleet of 68 vessels, offering scenic cruising on rivers and oceans around the world. In addition to the Travel + Leisure honors, Viking has also been honored multiple times on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” as well as recognized by Cruise Critic as “Best Overall” Small-Mid size ship in the 2018 Cruisers’ Choice Awards, “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. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or visit www.vikingcruises.com.
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