Viking River Cruises Finally Announces It's Mississippi River Cruise Roll Out
Viking Bets on the Future With New Cruise Ship Set to Sail the Mississippi River by 2022
Viking just announced details of the purpose-built, 386-passenger cruise ship it will bring to the Mississippi River by 2022. The new ship, aptly named Viking Mississippi, will sail between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota, with the inaugural trips slated for August.
“At a time where many of us are at home, looking for inspiration to travel in the future, I am pleased to introduce a new, modern way to explore this great river,” said Viking chairman Torstein Hagen in a statement. “Our guests are curious travelers, and they continue to tell us that the Mississippi is the river they most want to sail with us. The Mississippi River is closer to home for many of our guests, and no other waterway has played such an important role in America’s history, commerce and culture,” Hagen added.
On board the vessel, guests will find cool, contemporary Scandinavian-inspired design, as is typical of Viking ships. A variety of larger gathering spaces — the Explorer’s Lounge, the River Cafe, a Sun Terrace — will provide panoramic views of riverside scenery. All guest rooms will also have good views, and many will come with private verandas for personal outdoor space. (Some categories have French balconies, which provide fresh air but not outdoor seating.) So where has all this growth come from?
People Really Like Viking
It’s true. Viking covers the most water of any travel company, but with a current fleet of 79 ocean and river vessels sailing around the world, that should come as no surprise. What may come as a surprise, though, is the sheer number of ships in the fleet. It raises the question of demand.
Viking currently has six ocean ships operating and six under contract or construction – so clearly there is demand. That demand seems to be, simply put, because people really like Viking.
In the last eight years alone, Viking has introduced more than 60 new river cruise ships and six ocean cruise ships to become the largest small ship cruise line with a current fleet of 79 river and ocean vessels around the world. This year, Viking will launch seven new river ships. Six more ocean sister ships are on order, with options for four additional ships. These options could bring Viking’s total ocean fleet to 16 ships by 2027.
Viking Is The Thinking Person's Cruise
This “thinking” focus comes in many forms. On no Viking ship will you ever find a casino. You will find that excursions are included in the cruise fare. You do not have to pay for internet, meaning that communication and knowledge are at your fingertips. Hagen states that while some of the bigger cruise companies tend to say, “Our ship is the destination,” Viking will say, “No, the destination is the destination.” And because of that – these voyages are focused on learning about the history, science, culture, and music of a region rather than anything else.
Simple Isn’t A Bad Word
Another reason that people like Viking may be its simple approach. Some of us are used to cruise lines being extravagant, all the added bells and whistles are what makes the experience; but for Viking, simple isn’t a bad word. And trust me – there are still bells and whistles.
Hagen stated that when he entered into the cruise world, he was told never to use the word luxury. He carried on to say, “Many people confuse luxury with opulence … In my mind, it’s simplicity. Make things simple. You can still be elegant … But one of the characteristics of being simple is being quiet.”
Many would look at being simple as a bad thing. There is always a desire to go above and beyond. But it seems that in Hagen’s mind, being simple doesn’t mean that you can’t do that. Look at Viking’s model when it comes to inclusive fares on the oceans. It is, in fact, quite simple. You know what you are paying, and you get what you pay for without having to be nicked and dimed or worry about hidden costs. Simple.
The interiors of Viking’s ships are some of the most beautiful on the waterways. And again, they are simple. Simple in this instance means refined, tidy, purpose-built, and practical. One example is the TV remotes in the staterooms. Hagen joked that oftentimes you feel like you need a 13-year-old grandchild to accompany your TV remote. Viking has what its website calls an intuitive remote, a remote that has very few buttons that you should, hopefully, be able to operate without having to make a long-distance phone call to a younger relative.
