Viking River Cruises recently introduced its new Viking Legend, which made her inaugural sailing from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Budapest, Hungary, on a Grand European Tour, the line’s most popular itinerary.
“We have launched not only a beautiful new ship but a new era of European river cruise travel,” said Viking chairman Torstein Hagen. “This ‘green’ cruise ship, with its hybrid diesel-electric engines and advanced emission control protocols, represents the future of cruise ships.”
Viking Legend’s new diesel-electric hybrid engines use an estimated 20 percent less fuel than traditional engines. Her two engine rooms, one fore and one aft, are both completely noise-insulated, ensuring a very quiet ship. Viking Legend also has additional features that help reduce its impact on the environment, including her own membrane water treatment plant, and the ship is among the first to be certified under new European Union guidelines regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
The new-build can carry a total of 189 guests in 97 staterooms, 74 percent of which have French balconies (upper and middle decks); the rest have picture windows. There are 90 deluxe staterooms of155 square feet each, two suites of 310 square feet each and five single rooms of 120 square feet each. Accommodations feature hotel-style beds, 26-inch flat screen Sony televisions, individual climate control, safes, hair dryers and refrigerators. All beds are equipped with hypoallergenic duvets. Legend has one main restaurant, a bar, a library, an observation lounge and a boutique, plus a sun deck with 360-degree views. There is free wireless Internet service shipwide.
Fifty English-speaking crew members keep passengers happy and well fed. The ship offers early bird breakfast, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with seasonal local vegetables and European specialties adapted for American tastes; homemade soups are prepared daily. Dinner is a five-course symphony reflecting each region where the ship sails.
Right now that region is the popular Grand European Tour itinerary, which takes in The Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers as the Viking Legend sails from Amsterdam to Budapest.
“Our new ship is the crowning touch on a strong year,” Hagen said. “Viking is experiencing triple-digit growth for our 2010 program and, even with the economy, most 2009 Viking sailings are going out full.”
Viking River Cruises
www.vikingrivercruises.com
