Viking Cruises has beaten its own world record this week, after inaugurating 16 of its newest 190-passenger Viking Longships over 24-hours.

The first-of-its-kind ceremony took place in three different cities, with nine ships christened in Amsterdam; four in Rostock, Germany; and three in Avignon, France.

New ships christened were Viking Alsvin, Viking Baldur; Viking Magni; Viking Gullveig; Viking Lif; Viking Eistla; Viking Ingvi; Viking Delling; Viking Bestla; Viking Hermod; Viking Heimdal; Viking Buri; Viking Hlin; Viking Idi; Viking Kvasir; and Viking Kara.

Viking already held the record for ‘The Most Ships Inaugurated in One Day by One Company’ when it christened 10 new ships in one day last year.

Breaking the bottle on the hull of seven of the vessels were seven esteemed travel agent partners who were selected by the cruise line to act as ceremonial godmothers.

The other nine godmothers include TV baker and cookbook author, Mary Berry; travel writer, Ayako Ward; TV personality on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, Susi Barrie; singer Mireille Mathieu; culinary historian and food columnist, Anne Willian; banking experts Regula Oderbolz, Monica Petitpierre and Laura Pfleumer; and senior at the Neptun Werft shipyard, Marion Krase.

Viking Cruises chairman Torstein Hagen said the event marked a new milestone for the line and for modern river cruising.

“River cruising is the fastest-growing segment of travel, and it is in large part because of the enthusiasm of our guests and travel trade partners that we have enjoyed such success,” he said.

All of Viking’s new ships will be deployed on Europe itineraries, with four sailings in France, one at the Châteaux, Rivers & Wine in Bordeaux and two on Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary on the Douro River.

Festivities are also due to continue through to Friday when the line christens another two new vessels in Porto, Portugal.

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