Viking Cruises

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Viking Cruises
Private
Industry Travel and Tourism
Founded 1997 (1997)
Headquarters Switzerland
Key people
Torstein Hagen, Founder and Chairman
Products River cruises and Ocean cruises
Website www.vikingcruises.com

Viking Cruises is an international travel company that operates a fleet of river cruising vessels along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. In 2015 the company began offering ocean cruises on ocean vessels that sail the coasts of Scandinavia and the British Isles, and the waters of the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Viking has a primary sales office in the United States, secondary sales offices in the United Kingdom and Australia, and operational offices in Switzerland.

Viking Cruises was initially founded as Viking River Cruises in 1997 by a Scandinavian and Dutch consortium. Viking River Cruises expanded into the American market in 2000, establishing U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles, California.[1] Over time, the company has acquired and refurbished additional ships and built new ones. As of 2015, it operates a fleet of 64 ships. The company employs more than 4,000 staff worldwide and it markets its river cruises primarily to English-speaking customers in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia.[2]

Company history

In the mid-1990s, the company’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen, took a river cruise through Russia. The experience inspired him to create a river cruise company in 1997 so that others could enjoy similar experiences. Educated at Norwegian Institute of Technology and Harvard Business School, Mr. Hagen was formerly CEO of Royal Viking Line, and also served on the boards of Holland America Line and Kloster Cruise Ltd.[3] The company’s Board of Directors includes prominent investors and financial leaders with credentials in cruising and shipping, and is led by Chairman Hagen, a native of Norway. [4]

The company started with the purchase of four Russian vessels in 1997. The following year, it acquired additional ships and continued to cater to European passengers. In 2000, Viking purchased Europe’s KD River Cruises, which was founded in 1827,[5] though KD retained its Rhine Line passenger ferries, scheduled services and day-excursion operations. The acquisition added more ships to Viking’s fleet, bringing its total to 26, the largest fleet in the world [6], and gave the company rights to prime docking locations in key European cities. Since 2000, the company has built nearly all of its own river ships, uniquely designed Longships, adding 6 to the fleet in 2012, 10 of the same in 2013, 18 in 2014 and 12 in 2015. The number of ships built in 2013 and 2014 represented a world record and was noted in the Guinness Book of World Records.[18]

The company expanded into China in April 2004 with Yangtze River “cruisetours,” itineraries that combine a river cruise with hotel stays in various cities like Beijing and Shanghai.[7] Since then, the company has adopted this model to other regions, including Europe and Southeast Asia.

On May 17, 2013 the company announced the launch of an ocean cruise division [8] of small, ocean-going vessels and modified its name to Viking Cruises. In 2015, its first ship, Viking Star, sailed itineraries in Scandinavia and the Baltic, and on the Mediterranean Sea.[9] In 2016 and 2017, the company will launch Viking Sea and Viking Sky respectively, the former of which had its first float out in June, 2015. [10]

A planned expansion into the United States along the Mississippi River was announced on February 24, 2015. Viking's home port will be New Orleans, Louisiana with vessels cruising north to Memphis, Tennessee, St. Louis, Missouri, or St. Paul, Minnesota. Service is expected to begin in late 2017 using two ships, with the fleet expanding to six by 2019. Each vessel will have a capacity of about 300.[11]

River cruising

File:CC Odin Budapest Vert2.jpg
Viking Odin, sailing on the Danube River, arrives in Budapest, Hungary.

Viking’s European ships have a typical capacity of 190 passengers; its Russian ships’ capacity averages just over 200 and ships in China carry up to 246.

Viking itineraries range from seven to 23 days along Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Saône, Rhône, Elbe and Douro Rivers; Russia’s Volga and Svir; Ukraine’s Dnieper; China’s Yangtze; Egypt’s Nile and Lake Nasser; Cambodia and Vietnam’s Mekong and Myanmar’s Irrawaddy. Some voyages, including those in China, Southeast Asia and Egypt and a few in Europe, are “cruisetours,” which include both hotel stays and river cruising. [12]

River cruise ship design innovations

In 2009, Viking launched Viking Legend, the first of its ships to have hybrid diesel-electric engines. According to the company these engines use an estimated 20% less fuel than conventional engines. Noise-insulated engine rooms reduce noise and vibration and the ship has its own membrane water treatment plant to further reduce environmental impact.[13] Viking’s next new vessel, Viking Prestige, launched in 2011 with the same "green" features as Viking Legend.

In 2012 Viking introduced its Viking Longships® class designed by Scandinavian naval architects Yran and Storbraaten. Each of these ships has the same environmentally friendly engine system, plus a patented interior design configuration (Corridor configuration designs U.S. Patent No. 1832106-0001 to 1832106-0011) that creates large two-room suites, full-size rooms with full-size verandas and French balcony staterooms. Additional features include an indoor-outdoor "Aquavit Terrace" for outdoor dining at the prow of the ship, large "Explorer Suites" at the stern; solar panels and an organic herb garden. The first six Viking Longships that launched in 2012 collectively won Cruise Critic’s award for Best New River Ship;[14] the company launched 10 more in 2013[15] and an additional 16 in 2014 plus 2 smaller vessels purpose-built for Portugal’s Douro River.[16] Each Viking Longship is named for a figure in Norse mythology or history. [17]

Fleet

File:Cc Freya Boppard Vert.jpg
Viking Freya sails through the Rhine Valley.

Viking River Cruises operates a fleet of 64 vessels as of 2015. All of its ships have been custom built or fully renovated since 1999; 100% of the cabins are "outside" staterooms with windows or balconies. The ships also have onboard restaurants, bars, lounges, libraries and sun decks. The company christened 16 ships in a single day in 2014, breaking its own record that it held the previous year (10) and earning it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.[18] As of 2014, more than two-thirds of the company’s European fleet are classed as "Viking Longships." [19]

Ships cruising in Europe

Ship name Year built/refurbished Class Length Crew Guests Staterooms Comments Website
Viking Longship Aegir 2012 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-aegir/index.html
Viking Longship Alruna 2016 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-alruna/index.html
Viking Longship Alsvin 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-alsvin/index.html
Viking Longship Atla 2013 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-atla/index.html
Viking Longship Baldur 2013 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-baldur/index.html
Viking Longship Bestla 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-bestla/index.html
Viking Longship Bragi 2013 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-bragi/index.html
Viking Longship Buri 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-buri/index.html
Viking Longship Delling 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-delling/index.html
Viking Longship Egil 2016 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-egil/index.html
Viking Longship Eir 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-eir/index.html
Viking Longship Eistla 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-eistla/index.html
Viking Longship Embla 2012 Viking Longship 439.6 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-embla/index.html
Viking Longship Forseti 2013 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-forseti/index.html
Viking Longship Freya 2012 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-freya/index.html
Viking Longship Gefjon 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-gefjon/index.html
Viking Longship Gullveig 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-gullveig/index.html
Viking Longship Heimdal 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-heimdal/index.html
Viking Longship Hermod 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-hermod/index.html
Viking Longship Hlín 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-hlin/index.html
Viking Longship Idi 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-idi/index.html
Viking Longship Idun 2012 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-idun/index.html
Viking Longship Ingvi 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-ingvi/index.html
Viking Longship Jarl 2013 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-jarl/index.html
Viking Longship Kadlin 2016 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-kadlin/index.html
Viking Longship Kara 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-kara/index.html
Viking Longship Kvasir 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-kvasir/index.html
Viking Longship Lif 2014 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-lif/index.html
Viking Longship Lofn 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-lofn/index.html
Viking Longship Magni 2013 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-magni/index.html
Viking Longship Mani 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-mani/index.html
Viking Longship Mimir 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-mimir/index.html
Viking Longship Modi 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-modi/index.html
Viking Longship Njord 2012 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-njord/index.html
Viking Longship Odin 2012 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-odin/index.html
Viking Longship Rinda 2013 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-rinda/index.html
Viking Longship Rolf 2016 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-rolf/index.html
Viking Longship Skadi 2013 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-skadi/index.html
Viking Longship Skirnir 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-skirnir/index.html
Viking Longship Tialfi 2016 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-tialfi/index.html
Viking Longship Tor 2013 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-tor/index.html
Viking Longship Var 2013 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivers cruising in Russiases.com/ships/viking-var/index.html
Viking Longship Ve 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-ve/index.html
Viking Longship Vidar 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-vidar/index.html
Viking Longship Vili 2015 Viking Longship 443 ft. 50 190 95 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-vili/index.html
Viking Hemming 2014 Douro 262 ft. 36 106 53 Sailing on the Douro River, Portugal http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-hemming/index.html
Viking Torgil 2014 Douro 262 ft. 36 106 53 Sailing on the Douro River, Portugal http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-torgil/index.html
Viking Osfrid 2016 Douro 262 ft. 36 106 53 Sailing on the Douro River, Portugal http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-osfrid/index.html
Viking Astrild 2015 Elbe 361 ft. 28 98 49 Sailing on the Elbe River http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-astrild/index.html
Viking Beyla 2015 Elbe 361 ft. 28 98 49 Sailing on the Elbe River http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-beyla/index.html
Viking Fontane 1991/2010 Original Elbe 311 ft. 28 110 55 Sailing on the Elbe River http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-fontane/index.html
Viking Schumann 1991/2010 Original Elbe 311 ft. 28 110 55 Sailing on the Elbe River http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-schumann/index.html
Viking Legend 2009 Prestige 443 ft. 44 189 98 Diesel-electric hybrid engines http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-legend/index.html
Viking Prestige 2011 Prestige 443 ft. 44 189 97 Sailing on the Elbe River http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-astrild/index.html

Ships cruising in Russia

Ship name Year built/refurbished Length Crew Guests Staterooms Comments Website
Viking Akun 1990/2014 423 ft. 115 210 106 Refurbished with suites and veranda staterooms http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-akun/index.html
Viking Ingvar 1990/2013 423 ft. 115 210 106 Refurbished with suites and veranda staterooms http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-ingvar/index.html
Viking Truvor 1987/2013 423 ft. 115 210 106 Refurbished with suites and veranda staterooms http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-truvor/index.html

Ships cruising in Asia

Ship name Year built/refurbished Length Crew Guests Staterooms Comments Website
Viking Emerald 2011 361 ft. 138 246 132 Sailing on the Yangtze River, China http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-emerald/index.html
Viking Mandalay 2002/2013 180 ft. 28 60 30 Sailing on the Irrawaddy River, Myanmar (Burma) http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-mandalay/index.html
Viking Mekong 2012 168 ft. 25 60 30 Sailing on the Mekong River, Vietnam & Cambodia http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/viking-mekong/index.html

Ships cruising in Egypt

Ship name Year built/refurbished Length Crew Guests Staterooms Comments Website
MS Mayfair 2007/2011 280 ft. 75 160 80 Sailing on the Nile River, Egypt http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/ms-mayfair/index.html
MS Omar El Khayam 2007/2011 280 ft. 75 160 80 Sailing on Lake Nasser, Egypt http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/omar-el-khayam/index.html

Ocean cruising

In 2013 Viking Cruises announced the first new cruise line in nearly a decade.[20] Its ocean cruise product line is intended to leverage the company’s managerial experience in ocean cruising as well as its success in the river cruise sector. [21] Viking’s ocean cruise division began sailing its first vessel, Viking Star, in 2015. Viking Sea and Viking Sky are scheduled for 2016 and 2017 sailings, respectively. Initial ocean cruising destinations include Scandinavia and the Baltics, and the Mediterranean, calling on ports such as Bergen, Norway; St. Petersburg, Russia; Gdansk, Poland; Barcelona, Spain; and Istanbul, Turkey. [22]

Viking Star

File:CC VSTAR Ship Ocean RND.jpg
Viking Star launches in 2015 (artist’s rendering)

MV Viking Star is the new 930-passenger all-veranda cruise ship, classified by the Cruise Critic trade publication as a "small ship." [23] The ship was designed by experienced naval architects and designers with features including dual-fuel engines, a hydro-dynamically optimized streamlined hull for maximum fuel efficiency, onboard solar panels, and equipment that minimizes exhaust pollution. [24]

The ship was built by Fincantieri shipyard in Marghere Ancona, Italy, and the interior design, rich in Scandinavian influence, was developed by London-based SMC Design and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios. [25]

Christened on May 17, 2015 in Bergen, Norway, by the mayor of the city and ship godmother Trude Drevland, Viking Star was called “the most significant new cruise ship of the year.” [26] The christening coincided with Norway’s Constitution Day and was accompanied by artists and musicians who have a connection to Bergen. [27]

Amenities

Viking Cruises is the first cruise line to launch a new purpose-built ship since Disney Cruise Line introduced Disney Magic in 1998. [28] Viking Star has 465 staterooms in five categories, all with private verandas and a square-footage (270) that exceeds that found on most cruise ships. The ship’s largest suite, the Owner’s Suite, is nearly 1,500 square feet. [29] Multiple lounge and dining venues with several options for dining outdoors on deck. Other onboard areas include a three-story atrium, theater, library, sun deck including two pools, Nordic-inspired spa, gym and yoga area, and onboard boutiques. Its infinity pool is one of the first of its kind at sea [30], and the floor-to-ceiling windows that bring sunlight into the ship’s interior spaces are unique among ships of this class. [31]

Complimentary amenities on all ocean ships in the Viking fleet include Wi-Fi Internet access; beer and wine with lunch and dinner; at least one shore excursion in every port; a Scandinavia-inspired spa, which includes a thermal pool, hot tub, sauna, and a chilled Snow Grotto in which snow gently falls from the ceiling; fitness center; library with curated books to reflect the cruise line’s destinations; 24-hour room service; meals at all the ship’s restaurants; cappuccinos, lattes and other espresso drinks available throughout the ship; self-service laundry; movies on in-room televisions and entertainment, movies and lectures in onboard theaters; and transfers between the arrival airport and the ship. Paid amenities on all ships include several spa and salon services; specialty beer, wine and spirits; and additional shore excursions. [32]

Viking Star’s technical specifications

Viking Star is one-third the size of many cruise ships being built by major cruise lines. This allows it to enter into smaller ports. [33] Its overall length is 745.4 ft. (227.2m); its beam is 94.5 ft. (28.8m); the draft is 20.7 ft. (6.3m); and the gross tonnage (GRT) is 47,800t. [34]

Future ships

Viking Sea and Viking Sky are scheduled to launch in early 2016 and in 2017, respectively. Sister ships to Viking Star, they are also being built at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. The company plans to add three additional ocean ships to its fleet. [35]

Ships cruising in Europe

Ship name Year built/refurbished Class Length Crew Guests Staterooms Website
Viking Star 2015 Small Ocean Ship 745.4 ft. 465 930 465 http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-star/index.html
Viking Sea 2016 Small Ocean Ship 745.4 ft. 465 930 465 http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-sea/index.html
Viking Sky 2017 Small Ocean Ship 745.4 ft. 465 930 465 http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-sky/index.html
TBA 2017 Small Ocean Ship 745.4 ft. 465 930 465
TBA 2018 Small Ocean Ship 745.4 ft. 465 930 465
TBA 2020 Small Ocean Ship 745.4 ft. 465 930 465

Awards

Viking River Cruises

Viking’s river cruise division has received many awards and much recognition from publications and organizations within the travel and cruise industries, as well as from the travel press. A summary of the company’s awards follows [36]:

  • Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s 2014 annual Reader’s Poll ranked 17 Viking river ships in top spots, with Viking Odin being named the #1 top-ranking river cruise ship, in 2015.
  • Travel + Leisure magazine’s readers voted Viking River Cruises the No. 1 River Cruise Line in the annual World’s Best Awards readers’ survey for 11 consecutive years, from 2004 to 2015.
  • World Travel Awards have recognized Viking River Cruises as the World’s Leading River Cruise Operator.
  • TravelAge West, a travel industry publication, named Viking River Cruises the best overall cruise line for river cruising 10 times, from 2006 to 2015.
  • Cruise Critic, a cruise review website, named Viking River Cruises the “Best River Cruise Line” for 2014. In 2012, the site’s editors called Viking Longships the "Best New River Ship,” marking the first time this award was presented to an entire class of ship.
  • Travel Weekly, a trade publication, named Viking River Cruises the “Best River Cruise Line” 9 times, from 2006 to 2014, in its Readers Choice Awards.
  • Recommend magazine, a publication for travel agents, awarded Viking “Best River Cruise Line” in their Readers Choice Awards 9 consecutive years.
  • Porthole cruise magazine’s readers voted Viking River Cruises the “Best River Cruise Line” 4 times in the Reader’s Choice Award.
  • CruiseReport.com commended Viking River Cruises with the “Best Way to See Russia” and “Best River Cruise Line” awards in 2012.
  • LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com has voted Viking River Cruises the “Best Luxury River Cruise Company” 2 times.
  • SeaTrade Insider awarded Viking River Cruises their first-ever River Cruise Innovation Award in 2001 for the company’s Viking Longships.
  • Fodor’s Travel awarded Viking River Cruises’ Legends of the Rhine river cruise the “World’s Best Cruise for 2015.”

Viking Ocean Cruises

The 2015 maiden voyage of the Viking Star received many accolades from cruise industry experts and critics.

  • Cruise Critic, a cruise review website, named Viking Star the “Best New Ocean Ship” of 2015 in its 8th annual Editors’ Picks Awards. [37] The online cruise resource has also cited the ship for having the “Best Bathrooms” at sea in the staterooms.

Media

Viking River Cruises sponsors programming on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), a non-commercial broadcast television distributor. Sponsorship includes funding for Masterpiece [38], a long heralded British series of anthologized dramas. Viking’s sponsorship supports Sherlock and Poldark.

References

1. “Viking River Cruises Celebrates Two Years in the U.S. Significant Milestones Highlight Cruise Line’s Growth and Development,” CyberCruises, http://www.cybercruises.com/vicetwyeusapr02.htm

2. Insight Guide to Great River Cruises, 2006, 2007, ISBN 978-981-258-397-0, p. 37

3. Speaker Biography, Milken Institute 2006 Global Conference, http://www.milkeninstitute.org/events/gcprogram.taf?function=bio&EventID=GC06&SPID=2213

4. Company Overview, Viking Cruises, http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/press_kit/Viking_Cruises_Company_Overview.pdf

5. Lizz Dinnigan, Travel Agent magazine cover story, September 10, 2001

6. Insight Guide to Great River Cruises, 2006, 2007, ISBN 978-981-258-397-0, p. 22

7. “Travel + Leisure Survey Ranks Viking Number One,” SeaLetter Cruise magazine, http://www.sealetter.com/news/viking.html

8. “Viking Cruises Will Begin Ocean Cruises on Viking Star in 2015,” Los Angeles Times, May 17, 2013, http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/17/news/la-trb-viking-cruises-20130517

9. “Viking Cruises Lays Keel for First Ocean Ship, Viking Star,” Travel Agent Central, http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/viking-cruises-lays-keel-first-ocean-ship-viking-star-43998

10. “Viking Ocean Cruises Celebrates Float Out of Second Ship,” Viking Cruises, http://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/viking-sea-float-out.html

11. “Viking boats to cruise Mississippi River.” Fortune. Reuters. 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2015-02-25.

12. Company Overview, Viking Cruises, http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/press_kit/Viking_Cruises_Company_Overview.pdf

13. “A Viking Ship to Launch with a Green Accent,” The Avid Cruiser, May 29, 2009, http://www.avidcruiser.com/2009/05/28/a-viking-ship-to-launch-with-a-green-accent/

14. “River Cruising Sees Historic Achievement in Amsterdam,” Cruise Critic, March 20, 2013, http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5275

15. “See the Top 10 Cruise Ship Innovations of 2013,” USA Today, December 16, 2013, http://experience.usatoday.com/cruise/story/best-of-cruising/2013/12/16/see-top-ten-cruise-ship-innovations-2013/4040727/

16. “Viking Cruises Sails Past Its Own Guinness World Record with Launch of 18 New Ships,” PR Newswire, March 18, 2014, http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viking-cruises-sails-past-its-own-guinness-world-record-with-launch-of-18-new-ships-250891161.html

17. Viking River Cruises website, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships

18. “World Record: Viking River Cruises Christens 10 Longships,” CruiseRadio.net, March 20, 2013, http://cruiseradio.net/world-record-viking-river-cruises-christens-10-longships/

19. Viking River Cruises website, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships

20. “Viking Reveals Details of New Ocean Cruise Line,” Cruise Critic, May 17, 2013, http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5356

21. Company Overview, Viking Cruises, http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/press_kit/Viking_Cruises_Company_Overview.pdf

22. “Viking’s New Ocean Cruise Line Reinvents Destination Ocean Voyages,” PR Newswire, October 9, 2013, http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vikings-new-ocean-cruise-line-reinvents-destination-ocean-voyages-227092451.html

23. “Viking Star Review,” Cruise Critic, http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=748

24. “Viking’s New Ocean Cruise Line Reinvents Destination Ocean Voyages,” PR Newswire, October 9, 2013, http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vikings-new-ocean-cruise-line-reinvents-destination-ocean-voyages-227092451.html

25. “Viking Star Cruise Ship, Italy,” Ship-Technology.com, http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/viking-star-cruise-ship/

26. “First Look: Inside the Year’s Hottest New Cruise Ship,” USA Today, April 13, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/04/12/viking-star-first-look/25669227/

27. “Viking Star Christened in Homeport of Bergen, Norway,” Viking Cruises Press Release, May 18, 2015, http://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/viking-star-christened-in-bergen.html

28. “Where in the World is Cruise Critic?” Cruise Critic, April 13, 2015, http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2015/04/13/where-in-the-world-is-cruise-critic-51/

29. “Living Large: Inside New Viking Ship’s Stylish Suites,” USA Today, April 17, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/04/17/viking-star-suites-cabins/25923305/

30. “Viking Star Cruise Ship, Italy,” Ship-Technology.com, http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/viking-star-cruise-ship/

31. “First Look: Inside the Year’s Hottest New Cruise Ship,” USA Today, April 13, 2015, “http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/04/12/viking-star-first-look/25669227/

32. “Hate Nickel-and-Diming? This New Cruise Ship Is for You.” USA Today, April 15, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/04/14/viking-star-cruise-charges/25755975/

33. “First Look: Inside the Year’s Hottest New Cruise Ship,” USA Today, April 13, 2015, http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/04/12/viking-star-first-look/25669227/

34. “Viking Star Cruise Ship, Italy,” Ship-Technology.com, http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/viking-star-cruise-ship/

35. “Viking Star Cruise Ship, Italy,” Ship-Technology.com, http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/viking-star-cruise-ship/

36. Viking River Cruises website, http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/why-viking/news-awards/awards.html

37. “2015 Editors’ Picks Awards: Ocean Cruise Lines,” Cruise Critic, http://www.cruisecritic.com/editors-picks/

38. “Viking River Cruises and PBS’ Masterpiece Extend Partnership for Additional Year,” Viking River Cruises Press Release, August 4, 2015, http://www.vikingcruises.com/press/press-releases/masterpiece-partnership-extension.html

External links