Viking adds two ships to 2013 launches
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Viking River Cruises has announced that it will introduce two additional river ships to its roster in 2013 – taking the total number of new additions to 10.
The number, which is set to break the previous record for new ship in one season – set by Viking in 2012 with six new ships – will be followed by eight new ships in 2014.
“The river cruise segment is rapidly growing, as more travellers are inspired to experience old destinations in a new way,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. “Because of the overwhelmingly positive response we have seen from our passengers in the first season of our revolutionary new Viking Longships, we are pleased to continue our expansion to meet that demand.”
The eight ships which were already announced will be christened in one ceremony in Amsterdam in late March – the two new ships (Viking Baldur and Magni) will be christened in August and September respectively.
Both vessels will cruise the line’s 15-day Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest with the Baldur also sailing the eight day Rhine Discovery (Amsterdam-Basel) and Magni taking the eight day Danube Waltz (Passau-Budapest).
The new ships will be built at the Neptun Yard in Germany, part of the Meyer Neptun group.