Viking River Cruises Announces $250M Newbuild, Refurb Plan

Viking River Cruises announced a $250 million newbuild and refurbishment program in the next three years that the company’s executives say reflects the river cruise market’s “tremendous growth potential.” 

Viking said that it will add eight new vessels, bringing the total number of ships operated by the company to 26, an increase in capacity of more than 40%. The first new ship, Viking Prestige, will premiere in Europe in 2011. Also making its debut in 2011, Viking Emerald will sail in China as a replacement for Viking Century Sun. Additional European vessels will follow in 2012 and 2013.

Viking River Cruises chairman Torstein Hagen said, “We believe that river cruising is still in its infancy and has tremendous growth potential. Our fleet plans will benefit the industry as a whole, by increasing supply in a marketplace in which demand is exceeding available inventory.” He added that the multi-year fleet development program “reinforces Viking’s commitment to our guests, to our travel agent partners and to an industry that will continue its double-digit growth for years to come.”

The company claims that its Viking Prestige, a 189-bed sister ship to the flagship Viking Legend, is the industry’s first “green” river cruise vessel. Using the same efficient hybrid propulsion system, Viking Prestige will use significantly less fuel and provide a smoother, quieter ride than other river ships, according to Viking’s spokesperson.

The Viking Prestige will sail the popular eight-day Romantic Danube itinerary, from Budapest to Nuremberg. With French balconies on the top two decks, the largest suites on the Danube and the latest amenities, the ship represents the environmentally responsible future of Viking’s European vessels.

In China, the 264-guest Viking Emerald will have what Viking calls the largest suites in river cruising. Its 840-square-foot Presidential Suites have separate sitting and sleeping areas, two flat-screen televisions, panoramic windows and a private wrap-around balcony. The river ship will have deluxe 269-square-foot staterooms with hotel-style beds and private balconies.

Making its debut in 2011, Viking Emerald will sail in China as a replacement for Viking Century Sun. The 264-guest Viking Emerald will feature Asian and European cuisine prepared by a catering staff trained and managed by Viking’s Swiss management team.

Each of the new European ships will feature Viking’s signature décor: sophisticated, understated elegance. Reminiscent of the design philosophy of the storied Royal Viking Line, the concepts have been realized by renowned Norwegian maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten, who also designed ships for Silversea and Seabourn.

Viking Prestige, with all outside staterooms and unobstructed panoramic views throughout, will be built by the Neptun Shipyard in Rostock, Germany, part of the Meyer Neptun Group.

In addition to new ships, Viking River Cruises has announced plans for two complete refurbishments to its existing fleet. Scheduled for completion in 2011, Viking Pakhomov will undergo a full bow-to-stern renovation like those of its Russian sister ships, Viking Surkov and Viking Kirov, relaunched in 2008 and 2009, respectively. It will feature all deluxe staterooms with hotel-style beds, flat-panel televisions and the latest amenities. Public areas, such as the restaurant, lounges, library and bar, will also be completely remodeled with Viking’s signature Scandinavian décor.

In Europe, Viking Schumann, a ship purpose-built for the Elbe River with a shallow draft and pump-jet engines, will receive bow-to-stern refurbishments to match those on its sister ship Viking Fontane this year. All public areas of Viking Schumann will be refurbished, and the most substantial changes are planned for staterooms. On the upper deck, eight 180-square-foot deluxe staterooms are to be created, while all standard staterooms will be upgraded with standard-size beds.