Viking Prestige
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
Insider Take
Overview
The 2011 sailing season welcomed our newest ship in Europe, Viking Prestige, building upon the standard set by the extraordinary Viking Legend that launched in 2009. Viking Prestige carries 188 guests on some of our most popular itineraries. Each of these state-of-the-art vessels has two 340-square-foot suites and 97 staterooms, with French Balcony staterooms on the upper and middle decks and standard staterooms with picture windows on the main deck. Best of all, Viking Prestige is a “green” ship, running on hybrid diesel-electric engines that produce less vibrations for a smoother ride. Cutting-edge design, unmatched comfort and environmentally conscious – Viking Prestige has it all.Read More
Ship Overview
The 188-passenger Viking Prestige launched in 2011, just preceding the newer Viking Longships’ design, operates along the Danube between Passau and Budapest with two 340-square-foot suites and 97 staterooms with French balconies on the upper and middle decks. A “green” ship, the vessel runs on hybrid diesel-electric engines, minimizing pollution and noise.
In the luxury river cruising niche, Viking is an absolute winner, receiving praise from both the industry and demanding clientele. In 2013, Viking will operate 30 vessels. Nearly half of these were added in the last two years as the new Longship-class of next-generation vessels, inspired by ancient Norse longships and designed with sophisticated elegance by famed Norwegian maritime architects Yran and Storbraaten. All-inclusive fares, superb service, and sleek rooms with exceptional views are showcased. Apart from minor design flaws, river cruising doesn’t get any better than this.
Viking’s two smallest ships are the intimate 124-passenger Fontane and Schumann, both built with the shallow Elbe River in mind. Among Viking’s other ships, capacity ranges between 150 and 160 guests. These include the Danube, Europe, Neptune, Pride, Sky, and Spirit. With capacity for 198 guests, Helvetia and Sun are larger. The first “green” ship, built in 2009—the 189-passenger Legend—features diesel electric hybrid engines. The wow factor is high for newer green vessels Aegir, Embla, Freya, Idun, Njord, and Odin—all launched in 2012.
Cruises in Europe are offered on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Elbe, Saône, Seine, and Rhône rivers, as well as the canals of the Netherlands and Belgium. Viking also has five ships in Russia and Ukraine. Kirov, Pakhomov, Peterhof, and Surkov sail on the Volga, while Lomonosov meanders the Dnieper.