VIKING ANNOUNCES TWO MORE OCEAN SHIPS

Viking Star  (Credit: Viking)

Viking, a leader in river cruising, is doubling down on its new ocean-going ships by announcing it will launch two additional ocean ships, bringing the total to three. Viking Sea and Viking Sky will both debut in 2016 as sister ships to the 930-passenger Viking Star, currently under construction and set to debut in early 2015. Like their sister ship, Viking Sea and Viking Sky will sail in Scandinavia and the Baltic; and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean – as well as two new itineraries for 2016 that explore the British Isles.

Here's more details from the press release:

"It was just one year ago that Viking announced its plans to expand into the ocean cruise segment, marking the travel industry’s first new ocean cruise line in nearly a decade. With Viking Star’s 2015 maiden season now more than 70 percent sold out – and sales of 2016 sailings well underway – the company is expanding both its ocean and river product lines aggressively to meet increased traveler demand for destination-focused cruises. This announcement comes directly on the heels of Viking’s news last month that it will launch 12 new river vessels in 2015, bringing the company’s total river fleet to 64 vessels.

Highlights of the new 930-passenger, all veranda ships:

VIKING ADDING 12 NEW RIVER VESSELS

The Rhine River (Credit: Viking)

Those European rivers may soon be as crowded as the Mississippi in the heyday of the riverboat.

Viking River Cruises has announced expansion plans for 2015 which include 12 new river vessels for next year – 10 additional Longships and two unique vessels for the Elbe River. This comes on the heels of their world record-setting christening last month of 18 vessels across four countries in five days and will bring the company’s total fleet size to 64 river vessels in 2015.

The two Elbe River ships will be designed specifically for the "Elegant Elbe" itinerary. "As a result of high customer demand, the two new ships will join the recently refurbished Viking Schumann and Viking Fontane, doubling the company’s capacity on the Elbe River in 2015. Hosting 98 guests in 49 staterooms, sister ships Viking Astrild and Viking Beyla will be the newest and most modern ships sailing the Elbe River."

Viking will also introduce two new itineraries in 2015, both of which showcase the Rhine River during the springtime. Here are details from their press release:

KEEL LAID FOR 'VIKING STAR'

Artist rendering of Viking Star (Credit: Viking)

The new Viking Star is one step closer to launching. The keel was laid Dec. 18 at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard outside Venice, Italy. It marks the next construction phase of the company’s first-ever ocean product. Viking Star is scheduled to be delivered in early 2015. Her maiden voyages will be in Scandinavia and the Baltic; and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.

VIKING LAUNCHES 'WORLD OF FINSE' BOOKS

Finse and Karine in Bordeaux
(Credit: Viking)

Just in time for Christmas, Viking Cruises has launched a new book series, “The World of Finse,” along with the first two installments titled, “Finse’s First Journey” and “Finse Explores Europe.” Written by Karine Hagen, Viking Vice President and daughter of Viking founder and Chairman Torstein Hagen, these children’s books feature Karine’s yellow Labrador, Finse, who was born at Highclere Castle – the setting for “Downton Abbey.”

Here are more details from Viking:

The books’ water color illustrations, by Suzy-Jane Tanner, provide the backdrop for the stories, in which Finse learns about geography, history and different cultures. The books were created with a nod to the many grandparents who travel onboard Viking ships and who share stories of their trips with grandchildren at home.

‘‘I am fortunate enough to take Finse with me when I am on location filming for Viking, and telling stories of our itineraries through the eyes of a sweet and curious Labrador puppy seemed like a gentle and amusing way to teach children about the world,” said Karine Hagen. “The books will hopefully also give our guests a way to share their travels with the children in their families.’’

VIKING HONORED

Congrats to Viking Cruises, once again named “Best River Cruise Line” in Cruise Critic’s 6th Annual Editors’ Picks Awards, both in the U.S. and the U.K.  Founded in 1997, Viking was established with four Russian river cruise vessels. Today, Viking owns and operates the world’s largest fleet of river vessels – 35.

VIKING ANNOUNCES 2015 SAILINGS

Credit: Viking

Viking Cruises announced the 2015 Mediterranean itineraries for the new Viking Star, as well as select 2016 sailings. They note that "by sailing in the winter months, Viking Star’s guests will see an entirely different Europe – quieter and more contemplative." Sailings include:

· Romantic Mediterranean (8 days; Barcelona – Rome) – While sailing along some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, this itinerary offers a perfect mix of glamour, rustic pleasures and memorable landscapes with visits to Toulon, Corsica and Monte Carlo, France; the Tuscan region of Italy; plus overnights in Barcelona and Rome.

· Mediterranean Getaway (8 days; Rome – Barcelona) – Explore historically significant sites and vibrant cities of the southern Mediterranean with destinations that include Rome, Naples (and Pompeii), Sicily and Sardinia in Italy; Tunis, Tunisia (and Carthage); and Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Barcelona in Spain. 

VIKING EXPANDS ORDER FOR NEW VESSELS

Demand for river cruising has apparently never been higher. Viking Cruises has announced it has increased its order for additional Viking Longships in 2014 from 12 to 14 vessels. According to Viking, by the end of 2014 "Viking will have introduced a total of 30 new ships in a three-year period – the most rapid fleet expansion program the cruise industry has ever seen. The 14 new ships in 2014 will sail Viking’s most popular itineraries in Europe."

In March, Viking set a world record with the inauguration of 10 new Longships for the 2013 sailing season in a first-of-its-kind simultaneous christening ceremony in Amsterdam. Viking notes it is enjoying "its most successful sailing season, with more than 90 percent of all available staterooms sold during the spring and summer months and record sales for the holiday sailings."

Take a video tour of a longship:

VIKING EXPANDING INTO OCEAN CRUISING

Viking Star - coming in May, 2015 (Viking Cruise Line)

When you hear "Viking" you probably think "river cruising." Not anymore. Today Viking announced it is expanding into ocean cruising with the introduction of Viking Star in May, 2015. Calling it the first new cruise line in almost 10 years, Star is only the beginning. They also announced plans to expand both "the ocean and river cruise categories, with a second ocean ship on order for delivery in 2016 and conditional orders and options for four more additional ocean vessels." Earlier this year, they christened 10 new river ships and have 12 new river ships planned to launch in 2014.

The all-balcony ship sports lots of extras and amenities for its 928 passengers. Details are provided below in their video and press release:





Viking Star

Classified by Cruise Critic as a “small ship,” the new 928-passenger all-veranda Viking Star is engineered at a scale that allows direct access into most ports, so guests have easy and efficient embarkation and debarkation. The ship’s understated elegance and modern Scandinavian design is crafted for maximum guest comfort. Highlighted features include:

· All Veranda Staterooms: Guests can choose from five stateroom categories, starting from a 270 sq. ft. veranda stateroom, all with private verandas, king-size beds, large showers, and LCD TVs.

VIKING CHRISTENS 10 NEW SHIPS

Viking christening ceremony (Credit: Viking)

Christening a new ship is a big occasion for any cruise line. But what would you call christening 10 in one day? Viking River Cruises calls it a world record. Viking's simultaneous christening ceremony in Amsterdam debuted the ships – Viking Aegir, Viking Atla, Viking Bragi, Viking Embla, Viking Forseti, Viking Jarl, Viking Rinda, Viking Skadi, Viking Tor and Viking Var – and was certified by Guinness  as "The Most Ships Inaugurated in One Day by One Company." The previous record was two. Also on hand were 10 ceremonial godmothers for the new ships. Four of the christenings took place in  Amsterdam, and the remaining six were conducted live via satellite from the Neptun shipyard in Germany. -- Gerry

WARM UP VALENTINE'S WITH HOT CHOCOLATE

Viennese Hot Chocolate (Credit: Viking)

With all kinds of promotions touting love and romance tied to Valentine's Day, we've taken a page from Viking River Cruises to pay our homage to Cupid. After all, what says romance more than chocolate? In this case, Viking's own recipe for Viennese Hot Chocolate. Viking credits Reiner Marks, "who prepared this drink aboard Viking River Cruises ships in Europe many times."

Ingredients:

Seven ounces premium dark chocolate, grated
Three cups of low-fat milk
One tablespoon granulated sugar
One cup heavy cream, chilled
One-half teaspoon vanilla paste (or vanilla extract, organic if possible)
One tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for garnish

'LIKE' VIKING AND WIN A DREAM RIVER CRUISE

Viking River Cruises is inviting you to "Win a dream trip to France and England!" Enter by "liking" them on their Facebook page. Viking says the winner will "sail our popular Paris and the Heart of Normandy itinerary in 2013 aboard one of our sister ships, Viking Pride or Viking Spirit! Plus, you'll take an exclusive tour of Highclere Castle (known to television audiences as the setting for Downton Abbey) as part of our Explore More: Oxford and Highclere Castle pre or post extension!" As big Downtown fans, we're "Liking" it right now! -- Gerry

CELEBRATING THE FOODS OF BORDEAUX

Credit: Viking

European river cruises are booming these days, and why not? Ply European rivers at a leisurely pace, step right off the dock at an historic destination, enjoy food and wine native to the region. One of the new itineraries in 2014 for Viking River Cruises is their "Chateaux, Rivers and Wine" cruise through France's Bordeaux region. And what says "Bordeaux" than a rich Bordelaise Sauce? In that spirit, Viking is sharing this famous recipe. If you want to try it, we can be there at 8. -- Gerry

Sauce Bordelaise

Source: Viking River Cruises

Sauce Bordelaise (bore duh LAZ) is a great accompaniment for any grilled red meat. Bordeaux wine is the key to this recipe’s rich taste. The author of this classic recipe is Georges Auguste Escoffier; it appears in his book Le Guide Culinaire, first published in French in 1903 and now in its fourth edition. Viking provides this recipe to celebrate its Châteaux, Rivers & Wine itinerary through France’s Bordeaux region, new for 2014.

Ingredients:

GET READY FOR 'DOWNTON ABBEY, SEASON 3'

Big news! "Downton Abbey, Season 3" begins its run on PBS stations this Sunday night, Jan. 6! While that's not exactly a cruise topic, there is a connection: Viking River Cruises is a sponsor. That's good enough, right? Pam has just about memorized all the scenes and dialogues from Season 1 and 2, so you'll know where she'll be come Sunday. And Viking was kind enough to share this video just to whet our appetites a little more.  "Carson, please make sure we aren't disturbed!" -- Gerry

Watch Downton Abbey: Hugh Bonneville on Fans of the Series on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

VIKING SHARES CABBAGE SOUP RECIPE

Ciorba de Varza (Credit: Viking)

New Year's is a good time to try a new recipe, and the good folks at Viking River Cruises always seem to have something yummy cooking in their kitchens. Here's a soup provided by one of their executive chefs from their European fleet, Reiner Marks. It's called "Ciorba de Varza
Ciorba de Varza (pronounced CHOR ba duh VAR zuh)" which they describe as "a traditional cabbage soup with meatballs, very typical of the Bulgaria/Romania region."

Here's the recipe, courtesy of Viking:

VIKING HELPS YOU CREATE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE

What could be more Christmas than a Gingerbread House? Viking River Cruises, who take guests into the heart of the European Christmas markets, share a "how-to" video featuring one of their pastry chefs for any of us who want to create their own gingerbread house. Check it out, or go here for more Christmas videos.

NEW VIKING CRUISE EXPLORES BORDEAUX REGION

(Credit: Viking)

If you love wine (and we do), you'll welcome this news from Viking River Cruises: Today they announced a new itinerary in 2014 that highlights the Bordeaux region of France. The eight-day cruise called "Châteaux, Rivers and Wine," explores the Bordeaux and Aquitaine regions aboard Viking Forseti.

Here are the details from Viking:

"Châteaux, Rivers and Wine takes guests on a unique exploration of the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers, through the region that has for centuries produced France's most remarkable wines including Margaux, Pomerol, St. Emilion and Sauternes. The eight-day cruise journey begins in Bordeaux and makes its first stop in Pauillac, where guests can sip the full-bodied blends of the renowned Médoc and Margaux wine regions and travel along the famed Route des Châteaux for an insight into authentic château life. Next, guests have the opportunity to explore the Citadel in Blaye and the charming town of St. Emilion—both UNESCO World Heritage sites—before continuing on to picturesque Cadillac, where they can taste the sweet Premier Cru wines from the Sauternes region. The unhurried voyage concludes with an in-depth tour of the beautiful churches, grand Louis XV architecture and charming cafes of Bordeaux.

"Guests may learn to make tender canelés, a caramelized custard pastry, observe the winemaking traditions that have made the area so famous, begin or expand their appreciation of fine Bordeaux wines with the guidance of a master sommelier, and brush up on their conversational French with optional onboard lessons." -- Gerry

VIKING ORDERS 10 ADDITIONAL SHIPS

(Credit: Viking)

Need more evidence on the popularity of river cruising? Viking River Cruises announced it has placed an order for 10 additional Viking Longships. That brings the total number of new ships launching next year to 10 and the number launching in 2014 to eight. They report by the end of 2014, they will have introduced a total of 24 new ships in a three-year period.

"Viking plans to inaugurate the first eight Viking Longships of 2013 in a first-of-its-kind simultaneous christening ceremony in late March in Amsterdam," according to their release. "The two newest ships, Viking Baldur and Viking Magni, will join the fleet in late August and September, respectively. Both vessels will sail Viking’s 15-day Grand European Tour (Amsterdam-Budapest), with Viking Baldur also sailing the 8-day Rhine Getaway (Amsterdam-Basel) and Viking Magni also sailing the 8-day Danube Waltz (Passau-Budapest)."

Here's more from the company: