Viking River Cruises will once again be sponsoring the celebrated PBS series, MASTERPIECE, through 2014. The two-year deal, which includes the popular show Downton Abbey, reflects Viking’s growing commitment to extending the Viking River Cruises brand by partnering with companies that reflect the interests of their travellers.
“Our partnership over the last year has been an overwhelming success, and we are proud to continue our association with the finest programming on television,” said Richard Marnell, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Viking River Cruises.
“Viking River Cruises has been an exemplary partner for MASTERPIECE,” said MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton. “The fact that they are extending their sponsorship for two more years proves that MASTERPIECE viewers and Viking’s travelers are an excellent fit.”
As a bonus for guests, Viking River Cruises also recently announced a pre-or-post cruise experience for guests travelling on the popular Cities of Light and Paris & the Heart of Normandy itineraries.
The Oxford & Highclere Castle extension offers travellers the ability to spend three days in the rolling hills of the English countryside, where they will be able to experience a champagne reception and a special tour of Highclere Castle, perhaps better known as Downton Abbey.
It’s just another diverse aspect of Viking River Cruises, which is currently celebrating its 15th anniversary, the launch of six new Viking Longships, and is preparing to take delivery of an additional eight Longships in 2013.
This explosive growth isn’t just confined to the rivers of Europe; Viking announced back in April that it’s new sister company, Viking Ocean, had signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of two new, 45,000 GRT luxury oceangoing cruise ships.
Designed to carry 998 guests in 499 staterooms, the first of these brand-new vessels will be delivered in late 2014, with the second to follow in late 2015.
“We started Viking River Cruises to offer great destination experiences, and we are excited to bring this same destination focus back to ocean cruising. The ship designed by Fincantieri has a fresh and innovative design well suited to deliver the award-winning Viking experience,” said Torstein Hagen, Viking’s Chairman.
More information on Viking River Cruises can be found by visiting our complete Viking River Cruises company and fleet overviews here on River Cruise Advisor.
