Los Angeles, CA (March 1, 2006)– Just six short years ago Viking River Cruises founder Torstein Hagen established a U.S. headquarters in Woodland Hills, giving American travelers a new way to explore Europe and Russia – by cruising the regions’ scenic rivers. Today, Viking River Cruises is the leader in the river cruise industry, operating the world’s largest fleet of 23 ships. In 2004, the company expanded its offerings to include China cruisetours, and it recently introduced Viking Tours, which offers the same outstanding quality guides and excursions Viking River Cruises is known for on all-inclusive tour packages in Scandinavia and the Baltics.

Over the last six years, the company has experienced record-breaking growth in passenger bookings and revenue. Between 2001 and 2005, Viking River Cruises has been averaging 52% and 60% growth for passengers and revenue, respectively. In absolute terms, Viking River Cruises carried 439% more passengers and generated 558% more revenue in 2005 than 2001. The company has grown to over 100 staff located in the 25,000 sq. ft. global corporate headquarters in the LNR Warner Center, Woodland Hills, California.

“Viking River Cruises has received a tremendous support from American travelers and the travel agent community.” said Viking River Cruises founding chairman, Torstein Hagen. “They are recognizing that river cruising is a superior experience to ocean cruising or bus trips because of the intimacy of the ship and ability to experience so much more of a country. And with the March launch of Viking Century Sun, our newest ship on the Yangtze, we are proud to offer this experience on the newest, most deluxe fleet in China as well.”

The extraordinary growth in passenger bookings is due to Viking River Cruises ability to offer travelers insights into the culture, cuisine, and history of the lands through which they travel. This enrichment, combined with high-quality service, has gained Viking River Cruises recognition multiple times – as a top river cruise line on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” and Travel & Leisure’s “World’s Best” Awards, as well as being named “Best River Cruise” by CruiseReport.com.

Viking River Cruises currently offers U.S. travelers 18 different itineraries in Europe, Russia and China. European cruises range from 7 to 14 nights along the Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, and Elbe Rivers, plus Russia’s Waterways of the Czars and Ukraine’s Dnieper River. China cruisetours range from 9 to 15 nights, combining a land tour with a Yangtze River cruise.

The destination-oriented itineraries feature daily shore excursions led by English-speaking guides, and passengers travel in an intimate setting aboard deluxe river cruise vessels featuring all outside, river-view cabins equivalent to ocean cruise ship accommodations. European ships hold an average of 150 passengers, while the two new China vessels accommodate up to 306 passengers in all-balcony cabins.

About Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises, the world leader in river cruising, offers quality service, gourmet cuisine and comfortable scenic cruising along Europe, Russia and China’s majestic rivers. The company was honored multiple times as the top river cruise line on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” and Travel & Leisure’s “World’s Best” Awards as well as being named “Best River Cruise” by CruiseReport.com. Since its 1997 inception, the company has grown to a fleet of 23 vessels, and provides a unique, affordable vacation to experienced travelers with an interest in geography, culture and history. For additional information, contact Viking River Cruises toll-free at 1-877-66VIKING (1-877-668-4546) or visit the company online at vikingrivercruises.com