Viking Longships Top 2014 Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Poll For Best River Cruise Ships

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking Cruises® (www.vikingcruises.com), the world's leading river cruise line, has started 2014 with a bang. What will be the company's biggest year yet – one that will see the launch of 14 new Viking Longships® – has kicked off with a momentous honor from the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. Seventeen Viking ships were ranked in top spots on the publication's 2014 Cruise Poll, including three of Viking's new Longships debuting on the poll for the first time. Most notably, Viking Longship Odin was named the #1 top-ranking river cruise ship with a score of 97.7 – a score even higher than the top-ranked medium and large ocean ships.

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"We are enormously proud of our Viking Longships and the response they have received from our guests and our industry partners, and it is truly an honor to be recognized in such a significant way by Condé Nast Traveler readers," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. "The fact that river ships overall have been ranked significantly higher in this poll than existing ocean ships is a reflection that today's travelers appreciate a different approach to cruising."

As part of its annual Cruise Poll, Condé Nast Traveler readers traveled on 39,473 different sailings over the last year, sharing their experiences and rankings from the cruises. Of the 17 Viking ships that made the list, 14 sail Europe's rivers. Two ships that sail in Russia – Viking Rurik and Viking Ingvar – and one ship that sails in China – Viking Emerald – were also honored by readers. The full results of the poll can be found here, and the Viking ships included on the list include:

• Viking Longship Odin, 97.7
• Viking Longship Embla, 96.6
• Viking Helvetia, 95.7
• Viking Prestige, 95.7
• Viking Rurik, 95.6
• Viking Longship Njord, 95.5
• Viking Longship Aegir, 95
• Viking Ingvar, 95
• Viking Longship Freya, 94.8
• Viking Emerald, 94.7
• Viking Longship Idun, 94.7
• Viking Spirit, 94.6
• Viking Legend, 94.1
• Viking Europe, 93.4
• Viking Sun, 93.4
• Viking Pride, 93.3
• Viking Neptune, 92.9

Since entering the North American market in 2000, Viking has continued to set industry standards with best-in-class river cruise ships, award-winning service, outstanding quality and all-inclusive itineraries offered at a competitive price. With a focus on crafting itineraries for guests who have an interest in art, culture, history and exploration, Viking's acclaimed Culture Curriculum spans all manner of activities — from things like onboard glassblowing demonstrations to traditional dance performances — bringing to life every facet of the destination. The industry leader, Viking is the only river cruise company to operate in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China and Southeast Asia. Late last year, Viking was named "Best River Cruise Line" in Cruise Critic's® 6th Annual Editors' Picks Awards, both in the U.S. and the U.K.

Viking is in the midst of a fleet expansion to meet traveler demand for destination-focused cruises. In addition to launching 14 new Viking Longships in 2014, the company is adding a fifth vessel in Russia, two vessels in Southeast Asia and one additional vessel in Portugal. Viking's first ocean ship, the 930-passenger Viking Star is also currently under construction and will set sail in early 2015.

For more information, images and b-roll, contact [email protected]. For booking details, contact Viking Cruises toll-free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464).

About Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises offers destination-centric river and ocean cruising designed for experienced travelers with an interest in geography, culture and history. Featuring onboard cultural enrichment and included shore excursions, Viking's journeys are competitively priced for genuine value. Debuting its maiden season of ocean cruising in 2015, the sophisticated state-of-the-art Viking Star will host 930 guests on itineraries in Scandinavia and the Baltic; and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean. As the world's leading river cruise line, since its 1997 inception the company has grown to a fleet of 35 river vessels (in 2013) offering scenic cruising along the rivers of Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China, and Southeast Asia. Viking has been honored multiple times in Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" Awards and Condé Nast Traveler's "Gold List" as well as recognized by the editors of Cruise Critic as "Best River Cruise Line," with the entire Viking Longships fleet being named "Best New River Ships of 2012" in the website's Editors' Picks Awards. The travel trade has ranked Viking as the "Best River Cruise Line" by Travel Weekly, Recommend and Travel Agent magazines, "Best Cruise Line for Luxury River Cruises" at the Luxury Travel Advisor Awards of Excellence and as "Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising" and "Best River Cruise Line for Travel Agent Support" in TravelAge West's WAVE Awards. For additional information, contact Viking Cruises at 1‑855‑8-VIKING (1‑855‑884‑5464) or visit www.vikingcruises.com. To join the Viking Cruises communities online, visit www.facebook.com/vikingcruises, www.facebook.com/vikingoceans and www.facebook.com/vikingrivercruises.

SOURCE Viking Cruises