Page 13 - 2020 European River Cruise Market Report
P. 13
Cruising the Rhine
The 930-guest Viking Sun
nese. In 2016, the company re-
designed one river ship, adding
Chinese language and Manda-
rin-speaking staff. In 2020, that
program is estimated to expand
to five river ships.
Viking Difference We began hosting guests on the rivers of Russia 22 years ago,
and we have always done things differently.
Hagen likes to talk about
the Viking difference, often Demand is continuing to grow on Ocean Progress
referring to his experience as the the Nile after Viking launched the
“thinking person’s cruise.” Ra following an extensive refit in Viking has grown from a single
2018, marking Hagen’s first owned ocean ship in 2015 to a fleet of
Ships are ideal sizes and not full and operated ship on the Nile. six today with the Viking Jupiter
of attractions. Most items, if not having been delivered earlier this
all, are included in the cruise fare, Viking said it is the first Western year.
and travel agents are paid a very company to build, own and operate
competitive commission. ships on the Nile. Another 10 930-guest ships are
set to follow through 2027, in ad-
Seven river ships joined the “Egypt has inspired explorers dition to a two-ship expedition
company earlier this year. Six for generations, and it remains a program, and an expected entry
Viking longships were christened top destination for many of our into the Mississippi River market.
and launched service on the com- guests,” said Hagen. “For more
pany’s most popular itineraries than two decades, we have led At 930 guests and 47,000 tons,
on the Rhine, Main and Danube the river cruise industry with our the ocean ships fit into a niche, al-
Rivers. The seventh new ship, the fleet development and experiences lowing economies of scale while
Viking Helgrim, is sailing on the that bring travelers closer to the small enough to fit in most ports.
Douro as the company expands cultures of the world. We remain
capacity on the Portuguese river committed to Egypt, and we look Onboard there is no casino
to four ships. forward to introducing the histor- and the product is more-or-less
ic treasures of the region to even all-inclusive, wrapped around
Also set to move forward is a more Viking guests.” a simple Scandinavian interior
doubling of company-owned ca- décor. Deliveries extend through
pacity in Egypt for the 2020 sea- 2027.
son with the new 82-guest Viking
Osiris, which will be based on the
trademark Viking Longship design
that the brand has used on the main
European waterways.
Cruise Industry News: 2020 European River Cruise Market Report 41
