Los Angeles, Calif. (January 5, 2010) – Viking River Cruises, the world’s leading river cruise line, has been recognized with multiple consumer and trade awards in 2009, making the company the world’s top-rated river cruise line.
“We are honored by all of the recognition and accolades we have received over the past year,” states Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen. “As we continuously strive to exceed the expectations of our guests and travel agents alike, we are gratified to know that these awards are the highest form of positive feedback anyone can give.”
The consumer awards Viking received in 2009 include:
• Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” – Small Ship Category
• Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice – Small Ship Category
• Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Poll – Best Ships in the Small Ship Category
• Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Awards” – Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Lines
• World Travel Awards – World’s Leading River Cruise Operator
• British Travel Awards – Best River Cruise Line
The travel industry awards Viking received in 2009 include:
• Luxury Travel Advisor’s Awards of Excellence – Best River Cruise Line for Luxury River Cruises
• Travel Weekly’s Readers’ Choice Awards – Best River Cruise Line
• TravelAge West WAVE Winner – Best River Cruise Line for Travel Agent Support
• TravelAge West WAVE Winner – Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising
• Travel Weekly’s Magellan Awards – Gold & Silver Winner
• Recommend’s Readers’ Choice Awards – Best River Cruise Line
• Performance Media’s Leisure Travel Leaders Awards – Best River Cruise Line
“These awards are very important to us as a company,” adds Mr. Hagen. “From our call center’s Travel Consultants and District Sales Managers to the onboard staff, waiters and crew, these awards further substantiate that each and every Viking River Cruises employee goes out of his or her way to truly make a difference…and it shows.”
About Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises, the world’s largest river cruise company, offers scenic cruising along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China and Egypt. The company has been honored multiple times as the top river cruise line on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” and Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” Awards as well as recognized as the World’s Leading River Cruise Operator at the World Travel Awards. Travel agents have also recognized Viking River Cruises as “Best River Cruise Line” by Travel Weekly, “Best River Cruise Line” by Recommend and Travel Agent magazines, Best Cruise Line for Luxury River Cruises at the Luxury Travel Advisor Awards of Excellence and as “Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising” and “Best River Cruise Line for Travel Agent Support” by TravelAge West. Since its 1997 inception, the company has grown to a fleet of 18 vessels, and provides unique, deluxe vacations to experienced travelers with an interest in geography, culture and history. For additional information, contact Viking River Cruises at 1-877-668-4546 (1-877-66VIKING) toll-free or visit the company online at http://www.vikingrivercruises.com.