Viking River Cruises, the largest and most prominent river cruise operator in the world, has shattered their own world record for “Most Ships Inaugurated in One Day by One Company.” The previous record was held by Viking River Cruises for the simultaneous christening of 10 Viking Longships in 2013.
Over a 24 hour period, Viking successfully christened and launched 16 new Viking Longships during three ceremonies held in Amsterdam, Rostock, and Avignon. Two additional river ships will be christened in Portugal this Friday, totaling this week’s christenings to 18 new ships.
The first nine christenings, which were held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, began around noon on March 17th. The christenings of the first nine Viking Longships were then followed by four more in Rostock, Germany, and the final three being christened during the afternoon of March 18th in Avignon, France. The christenings were overseen by an official adjudicator from the Guinness Book of World Records, who presented an official plaque commemorating their record breaking christenings shortly after the final ship was christened in Avignon.
The 16 new Viking Longships will be deployed on the most prominent rivers throughout Europe. This year’s deployment will mark the first time Viking Longships will sail on the rivers of France, totaling a deployment of four Viking Longships to France.
“Today we mark a new milestone for Viking and for modern river cruising. We are proud to celebrate the arrival of our newest ships, and it is an honor to have each one named by a prominent godmother,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “River cruising is the fastest-growing segment of travel, and it is in large part because of the enthusiasm of our guests and travel trade partners that we have enjoyed such success.”
