In 2012, Viking River Cruises' newly renovated Viking Rurik will relaunch, marking the end of a four-year refurbishment project of all four of its Russian vessels.
To mark the end of the process, Viking is also renaming the entire fleet. The 196-passenger Rurik was formerly the Viking Peterhof, and its sister ships are being renamed the Viking Helgi (previously the Viking Surkov), Viking Ingvar (previously the Viking Pakhomov) and Viking Truvor (previously the Viking Kirov).
The Viking Rurik's bow-to-stern refurbishment will mark the first of Viking's Russia fleet to include the addition of private balconies to all the accommodations on the upper and middle decks, which include four suites, two junior suites and 60 staterooms.
Just like its sister ships, the Rurik's staterooms and public areas will be renovated to have the company's trademark Scandinavian-influenced interiors. There will also be a shaded sun deck and a walk-around, open-air promenade deck.