Celebrity baker joins Viking Cruises to launch 14 ships in under 24 hours

Viking Cruises is breaking its own GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ with the help of legendary TV baker, Mary Berry. She will cut her own slice of history as Viking Cruises launch 14 of its deluxe Longships, in three countries and three cities in just 24 hours.

Mary christened Alsvin in the traditional manner in Amsterdam by smashing a bottle of champagne across its bows. In doing so, she became the official Godmother to the vessel and helped Viking Cruises set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS for  the Most ships inaugurated in one day by one company'. The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt was confirmed by an official adjudicator in Amsterdam and Avignon.

Celebrating the achievement, Mary Berry said:

"It's an honor, as well as an amazing experience, to christen a vessel which I know will be home for Viking guests as they embark on River Cruising throughout Europe.

"After spending some time on board the Alsvin, I can see why people are so taken with river cruising. As someone who is fascinated by travel, culture and food destinations you certainly get a sense of the Viking spirit on board."

As well as Amsterdam, ceremonies were held in the famous Avignon, France and Rostock, Germany. Each of the Viking Cruises Longships christened will now set sail along one of the award-winning company's river routes, including those on the Danube, Rhine and Rhone.

Wendy Atkins-Smith, UK Managing Director, Viking Cruises, said:

"It's great to team up with Mary to launch our new Longships and set another GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS. As someone with a reputation for embracing new

challenges and reinventing herself all through life, Mary embodies the Viking spirit of exploration - and also the spirit of the curious, experienced travellers who sail with us all over the world.

"For us, though, the real achievement of these launches comes from being able to offer our guests a fleet of new, state-of-the-art Viking Cruises Longships on which to enjoy some of Europe's most iconic river routes." 

Just like the other vessels in the company's 50 strong river and ocean cruising fleet, the new Longships are named after gods from ancient Norse mythology, such as Buri, Delling and Heimdal. All feature a sleek design and advanced engineering, including energy-efficient hybrid engines that produce minimal onboard vibrations. Each also includes outstanding amenities, spacious accommodation and a stylish, airy interior created by renowned Norwegian maritime architects, Yran & Storbraaten.

The vessels' itineraries will feature Viking Cruises' trademark combination of authentic, destination-focused, culturally-enriching travel.  This includes privileged access to the best sites led by local guides; more time spent in port than any other cruise operator; food and drink menus combining regional specialties and outstanding cuisine; cultural entertainment programmes; and an uncluttered onboard environment that is comfortable, elegant and relaxed.

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Notes to Editors

For more information or images please contact: vikingcruises@edelman.com or call 02030472658

For more information on Viking Cruises and their inspiring destinations visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk

About Viking Cruises Godmothers

As well as officially giving the new Viking Cruises Longships their name, the Viking Godmothers are a symbol of good luck and safe passage for the voyages ahead. Along with Mary Berry and Susie Barrie from the UK, the group also includes the following

people from the US: Kathryn Burney-Mazza, Godmother of Viking Baldur and Executive

Vice President of Sales for TravelSavers; Vicky Garcia, Godmother of Viking Magni and

Co-Owner and Chief Operating Officer of American Express' Cruise Planners; Hanh Haley, Godmother of Viking Gullveig and partner of Travel Leaders Group Chairman Michael Batt; Sarah Henshall, Godmother of Viking Lif and Vice President of Travel & Branch Operations for AAA Carolinas; Geraldine Ree, Godmother of Viking Eistla and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Expedia CruiseShipCenters; Anne Scully, Godmother of Viking Ingvi and President of McCabe World Travel, Virtuoso's top-producing agency; and Pam Young, Godmother of Viking Bestla and Vice President of Industry Relations for Travel Leaders Franchise Group.

About Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises offers culturally-enriching, destination-focused river and ocean cruises for travellers curious about the world, its rich culture and varied history. Viking Cruises takes its guests on curated, elegant voyages along some of the most iconic rivers in Europe and the Far East allowing a unique window on inspiring destinations and rewarding experiences. Featuring onboard cultural enrichment and included shore excursions, Viking's journeys are competitively priced for genuine value. Since its 1997 inception, the company has grown to become the world's leading operator with a fleet of 50 vessels and last year announced it will debut its maiden season of ocean cruising in 2015. The sophisticated state-of-the-art Viking Star will host 930 guests on itineraries that start from the brand's homeland in Scandinavia and the Baltic through to the Western and Eastern Mediterranean. Viking has consistently won customer-voted and industry-recommended awards including 8 in the last twelve months alone including Best River Cruise Line at the British Travel Awards and Best River Cruises Company by readers of The Sunday Times and The Sunday Times Travel Magazine. In addition, the annual Cruise Critic Editor's Picks Awards named Viking Best River Cruise Line for the third time and Travel Weekly named Viking Best Specialist Cruise Company in its Globe Awards. For additional information on Viking's River and Ocean offering, contact Viking Cruises 020 8780 7995 or visit the company at www.vikingcruises.co.uk. Follow Viking River Cruises on Facebook www.facebook.com/VikingRiverCruisesUK and Twitter www.twitter.com/vikingriveruk.