Viking unveils plans for 10 new river ships to expand European fleet

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Viking revealed plans to add 10 new Viking Longships to its river fleet in the upcoming years. In response to high demand for European river journeys, eight of these vessels will navigate Viking’s well-loved itineraries along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, while two will join the Seine River fleet. This total order includes a Viking Longship for the Seine River, previously announced in February 2023. The first five ships are scheduled for delivery in 2025, with the remaining five set to arrive in 2026. A keel laying ceremony at Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock, Germany, marked the official commencement of construction for all 10 ships—a tradition maintained since the debut of Viking Longships in 2012.

Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Since the inception of Viking 26 years ago, our mission has been to enable our guests to explore the world in comfort. We prioritize the destination and construct elegant, innovative ships. We eagerly anticipate incorporating these new Longships into our European fleet, extending The Viking Way of exploration to more guests in the years ahead.”

With a fleet of 80 river ships and over 50% market share for North American travelers, Viking leads the industry as the top river line. The award-winning Viking Longships, constituting the majority of the company’s river fleet, accommodate 190 or fewer guests each. Boasting a patented design, the vessels offer diverse stateroom options, the groundbreaking indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, and Viking’s distinctive Scandinavian design. The new ships feature a hybrid propulsion system with batteries and are equipped for shore power to minimize reliance on fuel while in port. Onboard solar panels enhance the ships’ energy efficiency.

This announcement follows Viking’s recent milestones, including the float-out celebration of its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vela®, set to debut in December 2024. Additionally, the company disclosed plans for a new ship, the Viking Tonle, on the Mekong River in 2025. In October, Viking achieved historic recognition, securing the #1 position for rivers, oceans, and expeditions in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards and receiving top honors in the same categories from Travel + Leisure’s 2023 World’s Best Awards. This dual distinction is unprecedented in the travel industry.

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