Viking River Cruises recently announced it has renewed its national corporate sponsorship of PBS’ celebrated series MASTERPIECE for another year.  That’s good news for Downton Abbey fans, many of whom are also Viking River Cruises passengers who opt for an excursion to Highclere Castle, the setting of the hit series.

“Our partnership with MASTERPIECE is successful largely because of similarities between our audiences. Viking’s guests, many of whom are MASTERPIECE viewers, enrich their lives through history, culture and exploration,” said Richard Marnell, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Viking River Cruises.

Visit Downton Abbey
The Oxford & Highclere Castle pre- or post- trip experience is available for guests on the Cities of Light or Paris & the Heart of Normandy itineraries.  Co-created with the owners of Highclere Castle, the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, Viking guests spend three days in the rolling hills of England’s countryside, with a champagne welcome and special tour of the famous home.

The announcement comes on the heels of MASTERPIECE earning 24 nominations for the 2014 Primetime Emmy® Awards, which will be given out in a ceremony on August 25. The new deal will extend through 2015 and will support programming that includes season five of the Emmy® Award-winning series Downton Abbey, as well as the hit series Mr. Selfridge and the Emmy®-nominated Sherlock. Viking first came onboard as a MASTERPIECE national corporate sponsor in 2011.

The Viking Future Looks Bright
With river cruising as the fastest-growing segment of travel, Viking is expanding rapidly to meet customer demand. In March, Viking broke its own world record and christened 18 vessels across four countries in five days. Viking also recently announced it plans to launch 12 new river vessels in 2015, bringing the company’s total river fleet size to 64 vessels next year. Additionally, the company’s first ocean ship, the 930-passenger Viking Star®, is currently under construction and will set sail in early 2015.

For more information, visit www.vikingrivercruises.com or contact vikingpr@edelman.com. For booking details, contact a travel agent or call Viking River Cruises toll-free at 1-877-66VIKING (1-877-668-4546).

Flickr photo by Richard Munckton