Maritime Matters' Peter Knego gives a thorough report of his experience aboard the new Viking River Cruises' Heimdal Longship!"I was immediately taken by the contemporary Scandinavian style of the VIKING HEIMDAL, which is named for the Guardian of the Norse Gods. These ships were designed by the stellar Yran and Storbratten of Oslo-based Y & S with interiors by London-based SMC Design and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios. The most impressive space is the skylight-topped lobby spanning Decks Two and Three. On the HEIMDAL and the two identical Longship siblings in Avignon, the designers have skillfully melded warm colors and recessed lighting into a soothing backdrop of muted linoleum, veined marble and blond wood-toned accents."Check out the rest on the Martime Matters blog here!

Viking Cruises' latest press release announces the launch of the Viking Ocean Cruises in the UK, with a nod to our architecture and interior design work on the ships.“It is our view that in the race to build bigger ships, many cruise lines have lost sight of the destinations to which they sail,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “With our new ocean cruises, we are applying the same principles behind our award-winning river cruises to our itinerary and ship design; privileged-access excursions; and onboard experiences to make destinations the true focus.”Read the rest of the press release here.