by Ana Figueroa
Last updated: 11:00 AM ET, Wed April 4, 2018
One if by land. Two if by sea. Three if by river and sea.
That's what Viking is offering in a newly- announced lineup of 2019 Ocean & River Voyages. The voyages-three of them-combine a cruise on a Viking Longship with an ocean voyage aboard one of its 930-passenger ocean ships.
Debuting in May 2019, the 22-day Grand European & Viking Fjords itinerary will sail Budapest to Bergen. It combines Viking's 15-day Grand European Tour with the eight-day Viking Shores & Fjords itinerary. The former cruises the Rhine and Danube Rivers between Budapest and Amsterdam. The latter sails the North Sea, between Amsterdam and Bergen. It will call in six countries and 19 ports. Highlights include Austria's vineyard-lined Wachau Valley, the castle-filled Rhine, the windmills of Holland and UNESCO World Heritage villages of Norway.
Departures of the Grand European & Viking Fjords itinerary are set for May 26 and June 2, 2019.
Viking will also offer the 15-day Rhine & Viking Shores & Fjords combination in 2019. That itinerary from Basel to Bergen debuts in June 2018. It includes six countries and 15 ports. Highlights include the Black Forest of Germany, the iconic Cologne Cathedral, and Norwegian fjords. The 2019 departure is set for June 2.
"Our guests are experienced travelers who appreciate immersive cultural experiences, while also exploring the world in comfort," said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. "Only Viking can provide a destination-focused voyage that marries the river and sea into a single, unified journey. With one flight, our guests can experience both of our award-winning cruise products, making it even easier for them to explore the world."
Hagen describes Viking as "the thinking person's cruise" and an alternative to mainstream cruises. Founded in 1997, Viking currently operates a fleet of 65 vessels operating on the world's rivers and oceans. The 190-passenger Viking Longships are a river cruise industry powerhouse. And, Viking's all-verandah, 930-passenger ocean vessels are shaking up that segment, as well. In its first two years of operation, Viking has garnered the number one ocean cruise line slot in Travel + Leisure's 2016 and 2017 "World's Best" Awards.
Points of distinction are increasingly important, especially in the small-ship ocean category. Viking heeds the call with its own distinctive all-inclusive concept. Cruise fares include shore excursions in each port, complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; complimentary Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service. By 2027, the company will operate sixteen ocean vessels.
From now through April 30, 2018, Viking is offering US residents a 2-for-1 cruise fare on select ocean and river cruise itineraries.
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