26
May
Europe River Cruises almost sold out for 2010
The 2010 Europe River Cruise season is almost sold out with only a few spotty summer, fall and winter itineraries remaining. Richard Marnell, senior vice president of marketing at Viking, said the company is running at about a 97% load factor for 2010. This has encouraged Viking to increase its fleet by 40% to 26 ships with a total investment of $250 million dollars.
The first new ship, Viking Prestige, will launch in Europe in 2011. Additionally, the new Viking Emerald will replace the Viking Century Sun on China’s Yangtze River in 2011. Three more vessels in Europe will follow in 2012, then four in 2013.
The 189-passenger Viking Prestige will be a sister ship to the Viking Legend, which launched in 2009. The ship will also have a hybrid propulsion system and French balconies on the top two decks.
The ship is being designed by Norwegian maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten, and will be built by the Neptun Shipyard in Rostock, Germany.
The Prestige is slated to sail Viking’s eight-day Romantic Danube itinerary from Budapest, Hungary, to Nuremberg, Germany.
The ship is being designed by Norwegian maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten, and will be built by the Neptun Shipyard in Rostock, Germany.
The Prestige is slated to sail Viking’s eight-day Romantic Danube itinerary from Budapest, Hungary, to Nuremberg, Germany.
On China’s Yangtze River the 264-passenger Viking Emerald will feature 840-square-foot presidential suites with separate sitting and sleeping areas, two flat-screen televisions, panoramic windows and private wrap-around balconies.
The 269-square-foot staterooms will have hotel-style beds and private balconies.
In Russia Viking plans a bow-to-stern renovation for the Viking Pakhomov similar to that undertaken for for the Viking Surkov and Viking Kirov in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
The Pakhomov will feature hotel-style beds and flat-panel televisions. Public areas such as the restaurant, lounges, library and bar will be completely remodeled.
The 269-square-foot staterooms will have hotel-style beds and private balconies.
In Russia Viking plans a bow-to-stern renovation for the Viking Pakhomov similar to that undertaken for for the Viking Surkov and Viking Kirov in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
The Pakhomov will feature hotel-style beds and flat-panel televisions. Public areas such as the restaurant, lounges, library and bar will be completely remodeled.
In Europe the shallow draft Elbe Ship, Viking Schumann, will receive bow-to-stern refurbishments this year, matching those of sister ship Viking Fontane bringing it more in line with North American market expectations
All public areas, including the restaurant, bar and lounge, will be refurbished. Additionally, eight 180-square-foot deluxe staterooms will be created on the upper deck.
Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, said in a statement:”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.”
