To simply say 2022 is a banner year for Viking would be an understatement. Not only is the cruise line celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, but it’s also welcoming a total of eight Viking Longships in Europe; another three riverboats on the Mekong, Nile and Mississippi rivers; a pair of expedition ships; and a pair of traditional ocean ships.
“I am proud of all that we have accomplished in these 25 years,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. “First, we invented modern river voyages; then, we reinvented ocean voyages with our destination-focused approach; now, we are perfecting expedition voyages and exploring all seven continents — in comfort. To every member of our extended Viking family of guests and employees: Happy anniversary and thank you. These first 25 years have been very good, but we are just getting started.”
These first 25 years have been very good, but we are just getting started.
Back in April, Viking christened eight of its signature riverboats: Viking Egdir, Viking Geresemi, Viking Gymir and Viking Hervor (based in Amsterdam), plus Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga (smaller versions sized specifically for the Seine River). Then Viking Mars, an ocean ship, was officially named on May 17 in Valletta, Malta.
Meanwhile, Viking Octantis inaugurated the line’s expedition cruise program (beginning in January down in Antarctica), before the ship repositioned to the Great Lakes for this summer by way of the Caribbean.
Not long after, on Aug. 9, the purpose-built, 80-passenger Viking Saigon started cruising the Mekong River.
“The fascinating cultures of Vietnam and Cambodia have always made this region a favorite destination among our guests,” Hagen said. “We are also pleased to welcome our first guests back to Southeast Asia since early 2020. With the arrival of the Viking Saigon, we look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to this iconic waterway in the coming years.”
Also this month, Viking Osiris is beginning its voyages in Egypt along the Nile River. And on Dec. 3, the Viking Mississippi will be christened in New Orleans, marking the line’s first river cruises in North America. In December, seagoing Viking Polaris, sister to Octantis, will sail its first winter expedition season in Antarctica.
Rounding out Viking’s 15 new ships for 2022 will be the christening and maiden voyage of Viking Neptune on Nov. 16 in Istanbul, Turkey. Now that Viking Sun has transferred to operating exclusively for the China market, Neptune will be the eighth ocean sister ship, with another seven scheduled to come online through 2027.
At the recent naming of Osiris on Aug. 22, the line reiterated the coming of its planned Viking Aton in 2023, as well as announced an additional two sister ships set to arrive in Egypt in 2024 and 2025, respectively: Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek. And both are already under construction.
“Egypt has always drawn curious explorers for its rich history and ancient antiquities, and ever since we first began operating on the Nile River in 2004, our guests continue to be amazed by the country’s many cultural treasures,” Hagen said. “Today we are pleased to officially welcome the Viking Osiris to our growing fleet on the Nile River, which allows us to welcome even more curious explorers to this incredible destination.”
Suffice it to say, there is a whole lot of Viking cruises for travel advisors to sell this year and well into the future.
