Viking has been in business for a quarter of a century, and in that time, the brand has become synonymous with river cruising — not to mention its successful endeavors into ocean and expedition cruising.
“For 25 years we have been committed to developing travel experiences for ‘The Thinking Person,’” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. “This is what sets us apart. We are pleased that our approach to destination-focused voyages continues to resonate with curious travelers, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests onboard around the world in the years to come.”
A Formidable Fleet
Viking’s riverboat fleet now consists of 79 Longships, 10 of which have launched since 2020, traversing the waterways of Europe, as well as the Mekong, Nile and Mississippi rivers. The brand’s tagline is “Exploring the World in Comfort,” and it does so in its signature Scandinavian style, which is best reflected in the Viking Longships’ contemporary design.
In 2023, the line will add Viking Aton in Egypt as a sister ship to Viking Osiris, which set sail on the Nile in 2022. And then in 2025, another purpose-built Longship for the Seine River will join its four 2022-launched sisters to operate the company’s “Paris & the Heart of Normandy” itinerary.
We are very proud of our longstanding partnerships with travel advisors, who help us share the world of Viking with curious travelers.
New Itineraries and Destinations
Viking is expanding its offerings with two new European itineraries in 2023. The 15-day “Lyon, Provence & the Rhineland” route will head from Avignon, France, to Amsterdam, linking the Rhone and Rhine rivers in one voyage. And the 17-day “Capitals of Eastern Europe” circuit will travel between Vienna and Bucharest, Romania, and visit six ports that are a first for the line: Mohacs and Ilok, Hungary; Novi Sad and Donji Milanovac, Serbia; Pleven, Bulgaria; and Constanta, Romania.
Meanwhile, Europe as a whole continues to be a highly sought-after destination for Viking guests, and some itineraries are almost sold out for the 2023 season. In fact, Viking just celebrated its strongest-ever single sales month this past January.
Viking’s most popular European routes are the eight-day “Rhine Getaway” between Basel, Switzerland, and Amsterdam; eight-day “Romantic Danube” between Budapest, Hungary, and Regensburg, Germany; 15-day “Grand European Tour” between Budapest and Amsterdam; and the aforementioned eight-day “Paris & the Heart of Normandy.”
Viking Aton sails on the Nile in Egypt.
Credit: 2023 VikingA New Travel Advisor Resource
Viking just unveiled its new Viking Travel Advisor Academy, a training program made to give agents promotional tools and the chance to earn exclusive perks. Advisors can become a Viking Certified Expert after completing four modules that underscore sales and marketing tips.
“We are very proud of our longstanding partnerships with travel advisors, who help us share the world of Viking with curious travelers,” said Michele Saegesser, vice president of sales and national accounts at Viking. “Viking has expanded significantly since we launched the industry’s first River Voyage Academy in 2015.”
Saegesser said the company’s new academy builds on previous successes and incorporates invaluable feedback they received from the advisor community.
“We hope our partners will complete the entire Viking Travel Advisor Academy to become Viking Certified Experts and take advantage of the numerous benefits awarded to graduates,” she said.
Benefits available to advisors include a $100 Viking reloadable Visa card per reservation made within 30 days of successfully completing the Viking Fundamentals, Rivers, Oceans and Expeditions classes; a Viking Travel Advisor Academy certificate of completion; Viking Certified Expert status and a badge to include on websites and email signatures; and membership in the Viking graduate community for special travel agent rates and fam cruises.
It’s safe to say that after 25 years, Viking is just getting started.
