New Itineraries, New Viking Longships, New Air Offer
Viking River Cruises, the world's leading river cruise line, has announced the availability of its 2014 River Cruise Atlas exclusively for the Australian and New Zealand markets, featuring twelve new Longship vessels, new itineraries, our popular $995^ return air offer reintroduced, and a value packed Early Booking Discount with savings up to $2,000 per couple off their cruise fare. This is the sixth consecutive brochure Viking is producing for the Australia and New Zealand markets including market specific offers and AUD pricing."As people became more familiar with all its benefits, river-cruising's popularity has increased considerably over the past decade," says Mr Torstein Hagen, CEO and Chairman of Viking River Cruises. "Because of the intimate size of our ships, the all-inclusive nature of our programs, the excellent Early Booking Discounts and the overall demand, we encourage travellers to book now and lock in their first choice in itinerary, departure date and stateroom category, before the most popular programs aresold out," Hagen continues.
Itineraries
Viking River Cruises announces three new exciting itineraries in 2014 which have been tailored to suit the tastes and needs of the experienced Australian and New Zealand traveller. The vessels featured for the Australian & New Zealand market are the newest Longships with the most cutting edge features, and the itineraries now include exciting new destinations such as Portugal, Burma and a new way to see Bordeaux as well as Old European favourites such as Grand European Tour and European Odyssey. Viking has also reintroduced Elegant Elbe, Footsteps of the Cossacks, Magnificent Mekong and Tulips and Windmills.
Viking River Cruises is offering 22 itineraries in 2014 ranging from 8 to 23 days in length. While the majority of its river cruises are in Europe, the company is also a Russia specialist with a comprehensive journey along the Volga, Neva and Svir between Moscow and St. Petersburg. In China, Viking has the very best ship, featuring all-balcony staterooms and fully equipped Western-style kitchens. The company's China "cruise tours" take visitors to China's highlights, including Beijing, Shanghai and the Terracotta Army in Xian, plus a Yangtze River cruise.
For the 2014 season, Viking is introducing:
· 2014 Portugal's River of Gold 10 days with 8 guided tours from $2,995*pp
Discover one of Europe's most pristine destinations—Portugal. Begin with two fascinating days and nights exploring the capital city of Lisbon, then proceed to Porto at the mouth of the Douro River to embark your cruiseship. The river takes you on a winding easterly course between steeply terraced vineyards, stopping at ports of call largely unchanged for centuries with charming town squares, colourful castles, baroque mansions and historic monasteries. At the Spanish border you'll indulge in a scenic ride into Spain to visit the medieval city of Salamancabefore the voyage back to Porto. See unspoiled vistas and sample Portuguesespecialties like salt cod, hearty soups and stews and of course the area's sensational port and tawny wines. If you have never visited Portugal, you are in for a treat; or, see a dramatic new side of this beautiful country on the Douro River.
· 2014 Chateaux, Rivers & Wine 8 days with 6 guided tours from $2,995*pp
Caressed by Atlantic breezes, the vineyards that cover the rolling hills along the rivers of Aquitaine have for centuries produced France's most remarkable wines: Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, Médoc and Margaux are but a handful of the appellations that make Bordeaux wines world-famous. At theregion's heart, the city of Bordeaux stretches along the river bank, inviting visitors to savour its grand architecture, tempting cafés and superb museums. Celebrate joie de vivre in this land of wine and oysters, truffles and cognac, as you cruise the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers.
· 2014 Memories of Mandalay 16 days with 14 guided tours from $4,995*pp
Natural beauty, rich history and spiritual wonders await you in Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). Begin your journey in bustling Bangkok, where you encounter some of the Thai capital's highlights, including the unforgettable Grand Palace temple complex set on the Chao Phraya River. Then fly to Myanmar for a two-day stay in Yangon (Rangoon) and a breathtaking cruise along the verdant Irrawaddy River, known as "the Road to Mandalay" after Rudyard Kipling's famous poem. In legendary Mandalay, experience the sweep of the region's history from palaces and pagodas through colonial times to a contemporary melting pot of Asian cultures.
*Conditions: Prices are listed in Australian dollars, per person, double occupancy and subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Valid only on 2014 sailings. Price based on lead-in date and category. Prices include Early Booking Discount of $1,000 per person. Offer is strictly limited and only valid for new bookings, must book by 30 June, 2013. Viking River Cruises reserves the right to revise and withdraw pricing and discounts throughout the season without prior notice. Conditions apply. For more information visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au.
The new Longships for 2014 are:
Viking Alvin; Viking Bestla; Viking Buri; Viking Delling; Viking Eistla; Viking Gullveig; VikingHeimdal; Viking Hermod; Viking Idi; Viking Ingvi; Viking Kvasir; Viking Hemming; Viking Torgil; and Viking Lif.
Overview
Designed by legendary naval architects Yran & Storbraaten, the team behind The Yachts of Seabourn, these new vessels offer state-of-the-art engineering, patented design* and luxury. The Viking Longships provide guests with more ways to personalize their trip. Choose from a variety of stateroom classes, on-board entertainment options and ship locations from which you can enjoy sailing through the scenery, all the while enriching your time in some of Europe's most remarkable destinations.
Two Explorer Suites feature spectacular 270° views with a private wraparound veranda. Veranda Suites feature two full rooms with a veranda off the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom. Enjoy the indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship, or relax on the Sun Deck. These "green" ships, featuring energy-efficient hybrid engines, solar panels and an organic herbgarden, were named to honour prominent members of the Norse pantheon. Each ship carries 190 guests in comfortable, understated elegance, with hotel-style beds and amenities like 40" flat-panel Sony® TVs and in-room refrigerators.
* Corridor configuration designs U.S. Patent # 1832106-0001 to 1832106-0011.
Ship Features
· 95 comfortable outside staterooms (2 Explorer Suites [except Viking Hemming and Viking Torgil], 7 Veranda Suites, 39 Veranda Staterooms, 22 French Balcony Staterooms, 25 Standard Staterooms)
· All suites feature two roomswith a veranda off the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom
· Sun deck with 360-degree views and shaded sitting area; organic herb garden and solar panels; putting green, and walking track
· Aquavit Terrace with a revolutionary indoor/outdoor viewing area at the bow of the boat, and grills for al fresco dining
· Observation lounge and bar with floor-to-ceiling glass doors
· Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views
· Library corner and onboard boutique
· Elevator
· Free shipwide wireless internet service
· Laundry service
· Ecologically friendly hybridengines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride
· 42" flat-panel Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring movies on demand plus CNBC, CNN, ESPN, FOX, National Geographic and more
Ten new Viking Longships™ christened
As previously announced Viking River Cruises set a world record with the christening of ten new Viking Longships™. The first-of-its-kind 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 a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ adjudicator as 'The Most Ships Inaugurated in One Day by One Company.' Playing an integral role in the event were ten distinguished women from around the world, representing the key Viking brand pillars of history, art, education, exploration and discovery, to serve as ceremonial godmothers for the new ships.
Early Booking Discount
The company has also announced its best ever Early Booking Discount. Guests can take advantage of savings up to $2,000 per couple on award-winning Russia, China and Europe itineraries if they book by 30 June 2013.
Remarkable Air deal
Viking River Cruises is launching the 2014 season with a remarkable airfare only offered to the Australian and New Zealand market. For only $995^ return per person, travellers can purchase a return economy airfare to Europe from all major gateways in Australia. This deal is inclusive of taxes and seasonal surcharges and is offered to a wide range of European gateways.
^Conditions apply. Please visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au/995air-europe.aspx
For bookings travellers can call toll-free 1800 131 744 (Australia) or 0800 447 913 (New Zealand) and visit www.vikingrivercruises.com.au for more information.
About Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises, the world's leading river cruise company, offers scenic cruising along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. The company has been honoured multiple times as the top river cruise line on Condé Nast Traveller's "Gold List" and Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" Awards as well as recognized as the World's Leading River Cruise Operator at the World Travel Awards in 2009 & 2010 & 2011 and by the editors of Cruise Critic as "Best River Cruise Line" in the website's 4th Annual Editors' Picks Awards. Since its 1997 inception, the company has grown to own and operate the largest river cruise fleet, and provides unique, deluxe vacations to experienced travellers with an interest in geography, culture and history. Viking River Cruises is a full cruise line member of International Cruise Council Australiasia. For additional information, contact Viking River Cruises at 1800 829 138 (Australia) or 0800447 913 (New Zealand) or visit the company online at http://www.vikingrivercruises.com.au
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