Viking River Cruises has confirmed it will launch two new vessels in 2010 – The Embla and the Aegir.

Both will form part of the new Viking Longship class.

Viking will offer a total of six such vessels from next year, with the Freya, Idun, Njord and Odin all to enter service in March.

“Ever since we announced the introduction of the Viking Longships earlier this year, the response has been overwhelming,” chief executive Torstein Hagen explained.

“To accommodate demand, we have decided to accelerate the new build schedule.”

The two new ships are part of Viking’s $250 million fleet-redevelopment programme.

This includes the refurbishment of existing vessels as well as the introduction of ten Longships by 2014.

Longships will measure 443 feet long and feature 95 staterooms, including two 445-square-foot Explorer suites; seven 275-square-foot Veranda suites; and 39 Veranda staterooms measuring 205 square feet.