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Viking River Cruises Wins 2008 WAVE Award Recognition
Named Best Overall River Cruise Line by Agents and Editors - Third
Year Running
LOS ANGELES, June 11
Viking River Cruises was again honored this month with the 2008 WAVE
Award and "Editor's Choice" Award for Best Overall Cruise Line for
River Cruising at the third annual TravelAge West Western Agents'
Votes of Excellence (WAVE) Awards.
WAVE Awards are awarded on the basis of votes by the trade. Travel
agent professionals throughout the 14 Western states and readers of
TravelAge West were invited to vote on the "best of the best" from a
list of Editor's Pick award recipients chosen by Editor-in-Chief Ken
Shapiro and the editorial team of TravelAge West. Review methods
included product analysis, site visits, a survey of a select group of
travel agents and online research.
"The WAVE Awards are a celebration of excellence in travel products,
services and destinations," said Michelle Rosenberg, publisher of
TravelAge West. "This year's WAVE winners have consistently
demonstrated excellence within the travel marketplace." TravelAge West
will also feature Viking River Cruises in a special WAVE Awards
Spotlight Issue due out in August 2008.
"We're very proud to be named Best Overall River Cruise Line for the
third year in a row," enthused Mike Wiersema, Vice President, Sales,
Viking River Cruises. "We value our travel agent partners so highly,
and it is gratifying to realize that this dedication has helped us
serve travel professionals and their clients effectively. Given
today's exchange rates and fuel costs, there has never been a better
time to sell all-inclusive, dollar-priced vacation packages, and we
look forward to continuing to provide high-quality, affordable and
memorable travel experiences to our clientele."
More than 136 companies, individuals and destinations were celebrated
by the readers of TravelAge West at the WAVE Awards ceremony. Honorees
were recognized in 48 categories spanning the cruise, tour operator,
airline, hotel and resort, and destination travel fields. The awards
gave travel agents in the Western United States the opportunity to
recognize outstanding travel supplier partners.
About Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises, the world's largest river cruise company, offers
quality service, gourmet cuisine and comfortable scenic cruising along
the majestic rivers of Europe, Russia and China. The company has been
honored multiple times as the top river cruise line on Conde Nast
Traveler's "Gold List" and Travel & Leisure's "World's Best" Awards.
Travel agents have also recognized Viking River Cruises in 2006 as
"Best Cruise Line: River Cruise" by Recommend and Travel Agent
magazines, and in 2006, 2007 and 2008 as "Best Overall Cruise Line for
River Cruising" by TravelAge West. Since its 1997 inception, the
company has grown to a fleet of 21 vessels (will be 22 in 2009), and
provides unique, deluxe vacations to experienced travelers with an
interest in geography, culture and history. For additional
information, contact your travel professional.
