kabarsula Viking names seven new river ships, with two Aussie godparents in the mix bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Viking has officially named seven new river ships in a ceremony spanning four countries, with two Australian travel industry leaders among the godparents in a first for the Norwegian cruise line: all seven appointees are travel advisor partners.

Flight Centre Travel Group’s Danielle Galloway and Virtuoso’s Michael Londregan were in Amsterdam on Thursday, October 15, to celebrate the naming of their ships: the Viking Sjofn and Viking Ptah, respectively. Forgoing the traditional champagne, the ships were christened with bottles of Gammel Opland aquavit, Norway’s national spirit.

Simultaneous ceremonies took place in France, Germany, and Egypt, reflecting the ships’ future deployment across Europe and the Nile.

The decision to appoint seven travel advisor partners put the trade community in the spotlight, recognising the people and businesses that have helped build Viking’s presence and connect its voyages with travellers.

For Londregan, the honour came as an emotional surprise. He was shopping at Bunnings when he received the call from Viking inviting him to take on the role.

“I don’t usually cry in the aisles of Bunnings, but it brought a tear to my eye” he recalled.

Londregan said he felt a responsibility to acknowledge the advisors whose passion had helped strengthen the relationship between Viking and Virtuoso.

“I’m here because of the incredible work that hundreds of our travel advisors do in supporting this wonderful product, and I appreciate this honour on their behalf,” he said during the ceremony.

Galloway, Flight Centre Travel Group’s global managing director of Luxury and Independent, said the invitation and appointment was similarly meaningful.

“You realise you’re there because a lot of advisors do a lot of hard work to create this wave you get to ride,” she said.

For Galloway and Londregan, the godparent roles are about the people and partnerships behind them. Both used the occasion to recognise the travel advisors who champion Viking with their clients. Both acknowledged that the appointments underline the cruise line’s recognition that its relationship with the trade is central to connecting travellers with its experiences.

Viking’s president and CEO, Leah Talactac, reinforced the importance of its travel trade relationships.

“The travel agent community is a strong partner for us, you’ve been our partners for the 30 years we’ve been in business, and we’re looking forward to doing even more business in the next 30 years or more.”

In placing travel trade leaders at the centre of the ceremony, Viking made a point of recognising the people who help turn guests’ travel fantasies into a reality. Moments before naming her ship, Galloway said “Ships don’t just carry people, ships carry dreams, and today she (the Viking Sjofn) has made my dream come true.”

The seven ships will add capacity across Viking’s European and Egyptian river itineraries. Viking Rota, Viking Haki, Viking Halogi and Viking Sjofn will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube; Viking Fjolvar will operate on the Seine; and Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet will join the company’s Nile fleet.

With the seven additions, Viking’s fleet numbers more than 100 river, ocean, and expedition ships.

But the ceremony’s message extended well beyond fleet growth, it was a show of gratitude to the advisors whose expertise, personal relationships, and belief in the Viking product have helped turn travellers’ dreams into unforgettable journeys, and Australian partners are an important part of that story.