Continuing its major fleet expansion, Viking River Cruises today announced that the celebratory christening of its second state-of-the-art “green” ship, Viking Prestige, will be in Amsterdam June 30, 2011. Viking is honored that Janice Farrar Titus, wife of the late renowned cruise industry innovator Warren Titus, will be the ship’s godmother.

“This is a proud time for everyone at Viking River Cruises,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. “Viking Prestige will mark the first ship in our fleet expansion program which will see four Viking Longships in 2012 followed by another three each in 2013 and 2014, for a total of ten new ships in three years.”

Making its debut in Europe in July 2011, Viking Prestige will be a 188-passenger, state-of-the-art river cruise ship. Building upon the standard set by Viking Legend, the industry’s first “green” river cruise vessel, Viking Prestige will have the same efficient, hybrid propulsion system. Using significantly less fuel and producing less vibration, this cutting-edge technology offers a smoother, quieter ride than other ships and represents the environmentally responsible future of Viking’s European vessels.

With all-outside staterooms and French balconies on both the Upper and Middle decks, the ship will feature Viking’s signature décor: sophisticated, understated elegance. Reminiscent of the design philosophy of the storied Royal Viking Line, the concepts have been realized by renowned Norwegian maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten, designers of The Yachts of Seabourn, Oceania and Disney vessels, among others. The ship’s public areas, including a single-seating restaurant, observation lounge and bar, and library as well as an expansive sun deck, provide unobstructed panoramic views throughout.

The debut of Viking Prestige marks the next step in the company’s $250 million fleet development program, announced in May 2010, and will represent the first European ship in a series of ten new builds to follow for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons.

“I also find great significance in having Mrs. Titus as the ship’s godmother,” adds Mr. Hagen, “considering my unparalleled respect for Warren Titus and his contributions to our industry with Royal Viking Line and Seabourn. It is additionally appropriate because June 30, our christening date, would have been Warren’s 96th birthday.”

Mrs. Titus, a former advertising and public relations executive, has an extensive background in the cruise industry as well. In addition to working with such clients as American President Lines, Seabourn and Pearl Cruises, she was involved from the inception with the formation of Royal Viking Line.

Currently being built at the Neptun Shipyard in Rostock, Germany, part of the esteemed Meyer Neptun Group, Viking Prestige will make its maiden voyage on the 15-day Grand European Tour. It then will host guests throughout the 2011 season on the popular 8-day Romantic Danube itinerary which travels Budapest to Nuremberg (or reverse), visiting ports in Hungary, Austria and Germany.

Dates and pricing as well as ship and itinerary information are available on the company’s website at vikingrivercruises.com. Viking’s all-inclusive pricing features accommodations, all onboard meals, daily guided shore excursions and more. Also, Viking is the only river cruise line to include port charges in the cruise fare.