VIKING NEWS The latest news and events

Viking NEWS

A round-up of the latest travel news and events from the world of Viking

EXPEDITIONS EPIC

Viking announced in January that Viking Expeditions will begin sailing in January 2022, with its first vessel, Viking Octantis, embarking on voyages to Antartica and North America’s Great Lakes. A second expedition ship, Viking Polaris, will set sail in August 2022, sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic.

“In creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition’, we are perfecting polar expedition cruising, and we will usher in a new era of comfortable exploration in the heart of North America,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Our guests are curious explorers. They want to continue travelling with us to familiar and iconic destinations, but they would also like to travel further.” Partnering with some of the world’s most prestigious scientific institutions, including the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will ensure that guests are up-to-date with the latest polar research being conducted, and will have access to lectures and scientific updates. Norwegian adventurer Liv Arnesen – the first woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole in 1994 – and Ann Bancroft – the first woman to successfully finish a number of expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic – will serve as ceremonial godmothers to Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris.

VIKING JUPITER

In January, in a unique ceremony held in Beverley Hills, LA, guests at the naming ceremony for Viking Jupiter – sailing between the Falkland Islands and Cape Horn – were linked to the ship via a live video link. Ceremonial godmother and

soprano singer Sissel Kyrkjebø gave the traditional blessing, and used a Viking axe to cut the red ribbon on stage, as the ship’s captain confirmed that the bottle of aquavit had smashed against the side of the ship. A tecnological first!

SINGING WITH THE STARS Viking is a proud supporter of the Lord’s Taverners charity, so we were especially excited to celebrate the start of the festive season at their annual Carol Concert with the Stars in December. Held in the magnificent setting of St. Marylebone Parish Church, we enjoyed readings from stars from the worlds of sport, comedy and entertainment, as well as our favourite carols accompanied by the wonderful church choir. A truly magical occasion.

GOING FOR GOLD We are thrilled to announce that for the 11th year running, Viking has been named Best River Cruise Line at the prestigious British Travel Awards, one of the largest and most influential consumer polls in the UK. Viking was also awarded a silver medal in two additional categories, the Best Luxury Cruise Line and Best Small Ships Cruise Line.

READER OFFER Thanks to Greenwich Music Time we are happy to offer our readers a discount of £10 per person on the following performances:

6 July 2020 Sarah Brighton

7 July 2020 Lea Salonga Please visit greenwichmusictime.co.uk and use the code “VIKING10” to redeem this offer.

NEW DESTINATIONS Following on from our exciting Viking Expeditions annoucement in January, we are delighted to be launching several brand new itineraries. Among these is the 13-day Antarctic Explorer, the ultimate adventure for guests keen to spot glaciers, icebergs and rarely-seen wildlife and plants. Meanwhile, the Arctic Explorer trip takes in frozen tundra and fjords as well as offering guests the chance to visit native people living in remote settlements. Finally, the 8-day Great Lakes Explorer journey, heading from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Ontario, Canada, navigates the maze of granite islands and coastal wetlands, with migrating birds and tranquil forests.