Viking River Cruises Releases 2011 River Cruise Atlas

Viking River Cruises has published its 2011 River Cruise Atlas, featuring one new vessel, several ship refurbishments, two new itineraries and its best-ever early-booking discount. The company offers two-for-one cruise fares plus up to two-for-one roundtrip international air, plus complimentary wine onboard, if passengers book by May 28.

Viking River Cruises is offering 20 itineraries in 2011, ranging from eight to 17 days in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China and Egypt. While the majority of its river cruises are in Europe, the company is also a Russia specialist with a journey along the Volga, Neva and Svir rivers between Moscow and St. Petersburg and one trip through Ukraine between Kiev and Odessa.

In China, Viking has a ship with all-balcony staterooms and Western-style kitchens. The company’s three China cruise-tours include a Yangtze River cruise and visits to Beijing, Shanghai and the Terra Cotta Army in Xian. Viking also has nine- to 12-day itineraries in Egypt, which feature hotel nights in Cairo to visit the Great Pyramids and cruises on the Nile River and Lake Nasser on select programs.

For the 2011 season, Viking is introducing two new itineraries. The 11-day “Passage to Eastern Europe” itinerary features an eight-day Danube River cruise through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, book-ended by hotel nights in Budapest and Bucharest. The 12-day “Pharaohs & Pyramids” cruise-tour includes hotel nights in Cairo, plus a four-night Nile River cruise and a three-night Lake Nasser cruise.

In addition to the river cruise programs, Viking has renewed its commitment to offer Explore More pre- and post-cruise land extension packages. These add-ons feature a few days in a city before or after a cruise, such as Helsinki, Istanbul, Nice, Amsterdam, Prague, Paris, Hong Kong and Guilin, Bucharest and Transylvania and more. New for 2011 are extensions in Brussels and Lucerne.

The new Viking Emerald will launch in 2011 on China cruise-tours. The ship will have the largest suites in river cruising, plus every stateroom features a full balcony. In addition to the two 840-square-foot Presidential Suites, Viking Emerald will also have 14 Suites and four Junior Suites among its 132 staterooms on five passenger decks.

Continuing its fleet refurbishment program, one Russia ship, Viking Pakhomov, will undergo a bow-to-stern renovation, offering two suites and 102 deluxe staterooms and all-new public rooms. It will be identical to its sister ships, Viking Surkov and Viking Kirov. In addition, Viking is investing in its European fleet with the complete refurbishment of Viking Schumann, which sails along the Elbe River.

The ship will receive eight new deluxe staterooms in addition to upgrades to standard staterooms and public areas. Viking Schumann’s renovations will match that of its sister ship, Viking Fontane, which was completely redone for the 2010 cruising season. All of these vessels will be updated with the Viking signature look and feel of Scandinavian design, similar to the company’s most recent launch, Viking Legend.

For 2011, Viking River Cruises is maintaining its current travel agent commission structure and payment policy of 29 days prior to departure. Commissions start at 12 percent on cruise and land, 5 percent on full-price air, 10 percent on the Travel Protection Plan and 12 percent on land extensions.