VIKING RIVER CRUISES RETURNS TO ITS ROOTS WITH REVAMPED RUSSIAN OFFERING

2013 Sailings Will Feature Fully Refurbished Fleet and Exclusive Experiences; New Microsite Showcases “The Real Russia”

Los Angeles (November 6, 2012) – Fifteen years ago, Viking River Cruises was established with four Russian river cruise vessels and a company name to honor the Vikings that first traveled by longship to explore Russia’s waterways. Since then, the company has grown to become the world’s leading river cruise line, offering passengers the opportunity to intimately experience destinations across Europe, Asia and Egypt like no other style of travel. As Viking River Cruises celebrates its 15th anniversary, the company today announced major enhancements to its Russian offering and a new microsite designed to inspire travelers to experience “the real Russia.”

Following dramatic bow-to-stern renovations, 2013 will mark the complete refurbishment of Viking’s four owned and operated Russian ships that set a new standard as the best river cruise ships in Russia and the only fleet entirely Western-managed. To commemorate the transformations and to honor Viking’s heritage, the ships have been renamed—Viking Rurik, Viking Helgi, Viking Ingvar and Viking Truvor. In addition to multiple itinerary updates, new for 2013 is Russia Explorer, featuring deluxe hotel stays in Moscow and St. Petersburg plus a Volga River cruise.

“Of all places in the world, we started in Russia. In fact, the idea for our company was born because my daughter had traveled along the Volga with her mother and grandmother,” said Torstein Hagen, Founder and Chairman of Viking River Cruises. “We’re immensely proud of our Russian roots, and we continue to build upon our longstanding relationships and intricate knowledge of this captivating country so that we can share it with new travelers year after year.”