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Viking Launches New Experience Channel Viking.TV

Designed to Bring the World to the Homes of Travelers, Viking.TV is a New Online Destination for Daily Cultural Content

Courtesy of Viking: Los Angeles (April 3, 2020) – Viking today announced the official launch of Viking.TV , a new digital platform designed to provide enriching cultural content and livestreaming video experiences from around the world. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President Karine Hagen in a video for current and past Viking guests, posted on the homepage of Viking.TV.

“Right now, we are all staying at home instead of traveling together, but that does not have to mean that the only thing we can do is watch the news,” said Karine. “My father, Torstein Hagen, and I felt that if we cannot for the time being bring our guests to the world, let’s bring the world to our guests. Viking.TV is a way for us to continue exploring the world in comfort—from the comfort of our homes. And as soon as actual travel is less complicated again, we are ready to welcome you onboard.”

Viking.TV was conceived as a way to build community, stay connected and share positive experiences at a time when people are staying home, rather than traveling. In addition to housing a library of enriching content that Viking guests would have enjoyed onboard their respective cruise itineraries, Viking.TV will also feature live content from a variety of experts, cultural partners and notable individuals. Each day at 11 a.m. PT in the “Conversations with Karine and Friends” section of Viking.TV, there will be a livestream conversation, demonstration or virtual tour where viewers can participate by submitting questions in real time. All content sessions will be archived for anyone who cannot view at the original time of broadcast. The schedule of daily participants will be announced every Sunday, and viewers can expect the following themes each day:

• Museum Mondays – Viking is a longtime sponsor of Oslo’s Munch Museum and hosts “Munch Moments” onboard its ocean ships every afternoon, showcasing a curated collection of Norway’s most famous artist, Edvard Munch. On Viking.TV, Museum Mondays will take the place of the onboard event, and viewers can expect streamed sessions with the museum’s director and various curators, providing virtual privileged access to exhibitions, experts and restoration facilities. Additional museums may also participate in the future.
• Resident Historian Tuesdays – As part of Viking’s onboard cultural enrichment program and commitment to destination-focused learning, Viking’s Resident Historian faculty provides guests with lectures and roundtable discussions on significant milestones in world history. Each Tuesday, a Resident Historian will host an iconic lecture followed by a livestreamed Q&A session.
• Wednesdays with Music – One of the most important cultural aspects of any destination is its music. On Wednesdays, Viking.TV will bring some of the world’s most interesting artists, composers and conductors of the musical world.
• Guest Speaker Thursdays – Viking is proud to welcome onboard as guest lecturers many experts in the fields of science, the arts and exploration. Every Thursday, Viking.TV viewers can enjoy meaningful conversations with a variety of academics and individuals who have led extraordinary lives. Upcoming hosts include veteran British broadcaster journalist Anne Diamond; world-renowned Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesen; and Xander Parish, principal dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg.
• Fridays at Home at Highclere Castle – Together with her husband Geordie, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, the Countess of Carnarvon manages affairs at Highclere Castle, widely recognized as the filming location of Downton Abbey. Through her friendship with Karine, Viking has enjoyed a long relationship with Highclere Castle, to which many Viking guests each year enjoy Privileged Access. Every Friday, visitors to Viking.TV can get a glimpse of life “At Home at Highclere,” as Lady Carnarvon broadcasts tours and conversations.
• Wellness Weekends – Saturdays and Sundays on Viking.TV are dedicated to wellbeing during uncertain times and will feature staff from the LivNordic spas onboard Viking’s ocean ships, as well as other selected hosts, largely focusing on yoga and meditation.

The first “Fridays at Home at Highclere Castle” livestream officially launched today, April 3, and the next session will take place next Friday, April 10, at 11 a.m. PT. “Karine are I are as much sisters as we are friends, and our dogs are all related too!” said Lady Carnarvon. “The Viking and Highclere families are tightly linked through friendship and dogs, and I am delighted to open our castle doors and lives to the extended Viking family to give a little virtual insight into our history and lives, while we are all trying to deal with this temporary new normal. I hope you’ll join me on Fridays as we go behind-the-scenes, with stories about royal visits, entertaining and heritage.”

In addition to the daily content sessions, visitors to Viking.TV can access Viking-produced destination insights, which are hosted by Karine and showcase the history, art and culture from around the world. Viking.TV also features reading lists, filmography and music playlists by popular itinerary, so visitors can read, watch or listen their way around the world from right at home. Those who are looking to get creative in their home kitchen – and journey around the world through global cuisine – will enjoy “The Kitchen Table,” a digital cookbook on Viking.TV that features recipes browsable by country and the ability for visitors to submit their own favorite recipes. And for guests who were especially looking forward to seeing their Viking family of onboard crew during their voyage, Viking.TV includes a forum where guests and crew can exchange greetings – reinforcing the tight community bonds that form as part of the travel experience.

On March 11, 2020, Viking became the first cruise line to announce a temporary suspension in operations in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Viking.TV stays true to the brand tagline of “Exploring the World in Comfort” – albeit for the time being, that exploration can now happen from the comfort of one’s own home, rather than from the comfort of Viking ships.

About Viking

Viking was founded in 1997 with the purchase of four ships in Russia. Designed for discerning travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” in contrast to mainstream cruises.

Cover photo courtesy Viking: Bergen, Norway, is the home port of Viking Ocean Cruises

Editor’s Notes:

To learn more about Viking cruises, please visit our pages here:

https://allthingscruise.com/cruise-research/cruise-lines/viking-river-cruises/

https://allthingscruise.com/browse-cruise-lines/viking-oceans/

https://www.cruisecompete.com/lines/viking_river_cruises.html

https://www.cruisecompete.com/lines/viking_ocean_cruises.html

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Viking Launches New Experience Channel Viking.TV

• April 3, 2020

Viking today announced the official launch of Viking.TV ( https://viking.tv/ ), a new digital platform designed to provide enriching cultural content and livestreaming video experiences from around the world, according to a press release. 

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President Karine Hagen in a video for current and past Viking guests, posted on the homepage of Viking.TV.

“Right now, we are all staying at home instead of traveling together, but that does not have to mean that the only thing we can do is watch the news,” said Karine. “My father, Torstein Hagen, and I felt that if we cannot for the time being bring our guests to the world, let’s bring the world to our guests. Viking.TV is a way for us to continue exploring the world in comfort—from the comfort of our homes. And as soon as actual travel is less complicated again, we are ready to welcome you onboard.”

Viking.TV was conceived as a way to build community, stay connected and share positive experiences at a time when people are staying home, the company said, rather than traveling. In addition to housing a library of enriching content that Viking guests would have enjoyed onboard their respective cruise itineraries,

Viking.TV will also feature live content from a variety of experts, cultural partners and notable individuals. Each day at 11 a.m. PT in the “Conversations with Karine and Friends” section of Viking.TV, there will be a livestream conversation, demonstration or virtual tour where viewers can participate by submitting questions in real time.

All content sessions will be archived for anyone who cannot view at the original time of broadcast. The schedule of daily participants will be announced every Sunday, and viewers can expect the following themes each day:

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TV channels available?

By Traveler456 , November 21, 2022 in Viking Ocean

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Traveler456

Are Fox News and Fox Business available on TV on Viking Ocean Ships?

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We think Fox News is but probably not Fox Business 

SteelCity Cruiser

Fox, CNN, MSNBC, BBC News and SkyNews I think are the news channels (maybe a couple of others).  They are supposed to be 'live' feeds but be aware that they are not always available depending on the satellite location.

Per  https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-neptune.html

Each stateroom is equipped with:

42" flat-screen TV featuring CNN, CBC, MBC2, beIN Sports

This doesn't match my recollection of channel offerings.  I seem to recall MSNBC and a Fox news channel plus an Aussie news channel being included.

In addition there were a collection of recordings from onboard destination lectures, Ted Talks, Viking TV recordings, and other destination information programs.

For the 21/22 World Cruise on the Viking Star, there was a wide selection of on-demand movies... maybe 50 or more... which seemed to be curated towards our planned destinations.  I'm not sure a shorter cruise will have as many movie selections.

See the following previous thread for more discussion as to available channels and programs

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2879904-television-and-in-house-movies/?do=findComment&comment=63922818

2 hours ago, SteelCity Cruiser said: Fox, CNN, MSNBC, BBC News and SkyNews I think are the news channels (maybe a couple of others).  They are supposed to be 'live' feeds but be aware that they are not always available depending on the satellite location.  

That was my experience last week on the Star. 

Clay Clayton

4 minutes ago, knoxclone said: That was my experience last week on the Star. 

That’s good news! Glad to hear that BBC and CNN are now available

23 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said: That’s good news! Glad to hear that BBC and CNN are now available

CNN is an international edition while MSNBC is the same as the US edition sans commercials.

CCWineLover

On our upcoming cruise, I will pay attention to what is offered.

When on a cruise, we rarely spend any time watching TV channels.  Too much else to enjoy on the ship and we can watch TV at home.   OK - well we do watch the taped and live Viking shows (Star Theatre shows, lectures, port talks, etc) after dinner since they're all usually so crowded to do live and you have to get there really early (our last experience this summer).

People watch television while on a cruise?

The OP asked about available news stations. Yes, I have the news on when getting dressed, ready for an excursion, etc. 

We watch the Viking Today show while getting ready 🙂

On vacation, I try to stay away from anything depressing (which is the News these days!).

I know I know, ostrich with head in the sand.  🙂

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Enjoy an informative overview of one of our new, exclusive-to-Viking China voyages, Best of China . Join Viking’s Joost Ouendag as he shares highlights of this 20-day cruisetour and witness the awe-inspiring destinations you can explore along the Chinese coast and beyond. Discover the bustling capital of Beijing, marvel at the seaside Wanghai temple in Dongtou and immerse yourself in culture-rich Lhasa, known as the “City of the Sun” in Tibet. Should you have any questions about this itinerary or wish to leave a comment, w e invite you to reach out anytime at [email protected] .

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Joost Ouendag has been with Viking since 2002. Before that, he worked for one of America’s largest tour operators, covering the United States and Canada. Since joining Viking, he has shaped the company’s river cruises around the world for more than ten years, and he now focuses on ocean and expedition cruising. Joost has worked at the company’s Woodland Hills, California, office but now works in Basel, Switzerland. He lived and studied in The Netherlands and Germany, and he holds a master’s degree in linguistics from Utrecht University.

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September 19, 2023 — River cruising is a popular way to get the ease and convenience of a cruise while enjoying a more intimate experience. Viking River Cruises is one of the most recognized names in the industry, and we had the chance to take their eight-day Romantic Danube cruise in the wintertime. The cruise stops vary from year to year and season to season, but each version has stops in Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

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September 7, 2023 — Viking's 12-day Christmas on the Main & Moselle cruise sails between Paris and Prague in 2023 and 2024. The adults-only sailing affords passengers 18 or older the opportunity to visit four European countries: France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. In addition to browsing the boutiques in Paris and a variety of Christmas markets in Germany, you'll want to explore iconic landmarks like Reims Cathedral in France and the Luxembourg American Cemetery. Don't miss the famed wines produced in the region, including Moselle, riesling, Müller-Thurgau and gewürztraminer.

Travel Weekly: Viking continues its Egypt strategy and expansion with the Aton

August 30, 2023 — When it comes to designing and deploying river cruise ships, Viking doesn't just stick to what it knows -- it sticks to what it does best. The Viking Aton, which debuted this month, is the latest addition to the company's Nile River fleet. The 82-guest, 41-cabin ship will sail a 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary between Aswan and Luxor, with three nights in Cairo.

Cruise Critic: Everything You Need to Know About Sailing a Nile River Cruise with Viking

August 28, 2023 — Viking ships sail around the globe, but there is one country in particular where it has its sights set particularly high: Egypt. At the naming ceremony of Viking Aton in Aswan, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen teased that the options there are endless, promising a “slew of new ships” to come. There is no question that the excitement is there, both from Viking as well as customers seeing that 2024 Egypt sailings are almost entirely sold out with a similar direction headed for 2025.

Travel Weekly: One unforgettable day on a Viking Nile cruise

August 23, 2023 — I just completed a press trip to Egypt with Viking to launch their newest and fourth ship on the Nile, the Viking Aton. It was an abbreviated version of the company's 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, which the Aton will sail after it launches later this month. While it was a shorter itinerary I was on, it was by no means disappointing. This was my first time in Egypt -- my first time on the continent of Africa, in fact. I found Egypt to be almost surreal, a sort of mythological place.

TravelPulse: Viking’s Newest Nile River Ship Named in Aswan

August 21, 2023 — Viking has named its newest river ship, the Viking Aton, with a special celebration in Aswan, Egypt. The ship’s ceremonial godfather, Richard Riveire, designer of Viking’s award-winning river, ocean and expedition vessels, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship. The Viking Aton, an identical sister ship of the Viking Osiris, is a state-of-the-art vessel specifically built to navigate the Nile and will sail the line’s popular Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

Cruise Critic: The Best Rhine River Cruise for Every Traveler

August 16, 2023 — With its culture-rich itineraries, Viking River Cruises is a popular line with older passengers. Viking places a big emphasis on curating tours that provide an authentic insight into destinations rather than just scratching the surface. The line is also highly considerate of any mobility issues its passengers might have and provides options for all.

Porthole: A Voyage of Love: The Best Cruise Lines for Honeymooners

August 10, 2023 — On this adult-only cruise line, every passenger is treated like a VIP guest. Each stateroom has a private veranda, providing the perfect setting for you and your partner to savor a glass of wine and gaze upon the tranquil waters of the open ocean. Viking Cruises offers some of the most romantic all-inclusive getaways offered at sea. With captivating itineraries like the Mediterranean and Polynesia, any couple is sure to have a dream honeymoon. Regardless of your itinerary, every Viking Cruises vessel has six complimentary restaurants onboard, all with a captivating ocean view.

Mashed: Viking Provides The Bougiest Cruise Food

August 8, 2023 — According to Food & Wine readers, the cruise line that offers the best culinary experience overall is Viking. A ticket for a Viking cruise does include all restaurant meals as well as snacks and drinks from an in-suite mini-bar, and the dining options — similar to Vikings themselves — span the globe from Italian to sushi. The ships do, however, feature certain Scandinavian specialties, some said to be based on recipes from the cruise line founder's mother.

Forbes: The Best Luxury Cruises Of 2023

August 4, 2023 — Time spent on Viking River Cruises’ Viking Osiris is not only a retreat, but an enlightening experience. Known for its educational programming, the ship features lectures and informative guides that highlight seemingly endless knowledge on everything Egyptian (ancient to modern). Paired with the Nile as a backdrop, you’ll find yourself absorbing more than you can have possibly imagined.

Forbes: The Best Cruises For Adults

August 1, 2023 — When asked to envision a cruise, chances are you might summon images of kids wailing down waterslides, dripping in ice cream and building sandcastles, typically what you see in the many candy-colored ads from mega cruise ships. But those are far from the only cruise options out there for grown-ups who want to get away from it all. The best cruises for adults cater to adult guests with high-brow luxuries or dedicated spaces—and some even don’t allow kids on board, period.

Forbes: Viking Founder Torstein Hagen Checks Off A 65 Year Old Bucket List Item

July 25, 2023 — Every once in a while, work and play come together in an unexpected, magical moment. And that’s why Viking Founder/Chairman, Torstein Hagen, recently found himself in a post office in Ushuaia, Argentina – the world’s southernmost city, nicknamed the “End of the World” – fulfilling a childhood wish from 65 years ago.

TravelPulse: Why So Many Travelers Are River Cruising for the First Time

July 21, 2023 — My husband and I booked a Viking Rhine River Cruise this summer that sailed from Amsterdam to Basel. As always, the cruise was amazing, the sites were spectacular and because it’s not a mega cruise ship, you get to know many of your fellow passengers. With a boat that only holds 190 passengers at full capacity, that’s not hard to do.

INSIDER: Brought Family on River Cruise, Best Money We Spent Traveling

July 17, 2023 — I went on an eight-day river cruise through France aboard the Viking Skaga with my retired parents. The relaxed pace, calm waters, and mellow excursions made it the perfect way to travel with them.

CNBC: Viking chairman: We appeal to the 'thinking person' which has been very favorable for us

June 16, 2023 — Torstein Hagen, Viking chairman and founder, joins ‘The Exchange’ to discuss a rebound in travel following the pandemic, pricing packages for Viking Cruises, and opportunities for older consumers looking to travel.

TravelPulse: The Rise And Fall And Rise Again Of Viking’s Torstein Hagen

June 14, 2023 — The 25-year ascent of Viking to become one of the world’s most consequential cruise lines is quite a story. Especially when it is told by the company’s forthright founder Torstein Hagen.

Global Traveler: Viking’s Newest River Cruise Itinerary Celebrates Treasures of the Rhine

June 13, 2023 — Viking recently announced its newest river voyage, Treasures of the Rhine, sailing the Middle Rhine and debuting in December 2023. With this new sailing, Viking becomes the first line to operate year-round on Europe’s rivers. The 10-day Treasures of the Rhine itinerary sails the Middle Rhine’s turreted fortresses; grand cathedrals; medieval towns; scenery, including terraced vineyards; and destinations like Amsterdam, Basel and Cologne.

Forbes: The Viking Cruise Vision: Steadfast And Unflappable

June 12, 2023 — Viking guests remain fiercely loyal to the line because it offers what they want both on the rivers and oceans. They appreciate the modern ships, attentive service and broad choices of itineraries.

Fox News: Viking on Cruise Industry Resurgence

June 8, 2023 — Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen discusses the cruise industry’s resurgence after the pandemic on ‘Your World’ as they are 93% booked for 2023.

Condé Nast Traveler: The Best New Cruises in the World: 2023 Hot List

April 27, 2023 — Sailing with just 82 passengers and replete with sophisticated Scandinavian design elements, Viking Osiris has the look and feel of a boutique hotel on the Nile. Cozy up with a coffee in the airy two-story atrium at the heart of the ship—a rarity for river vessels—and watch lush scenery like date palms and mango groves pass by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Food & Wine: This Is the Best Cruise for Food, As Voted on by Our Readers

April 18, 2023 — While one strategy rolled out by many lines has been focusing on quantity with a dizzying variety of ho-hum options, that’s never been part of the plan for Viking Cruises, which our readers voted the overall best cruise for food in the world.

Condé Nast Traveler: Exploring France's Enchanting Villages With My Father on a Seine River Cruise

April 12, 2023 — Arriving in Paris that crisp November morning, we were well placed for our trip down memory lane. *Fjorgyn—*which debuted last March—docks on the Seine, in the 15th-arrondissement neighborhood of Grenelle. From our stateroom balcony we could see the Eiffel Tower, only a 20-minute stroll down the tow path; the nearest Metro station just a 10-minute walk in the opposite direction.

AFAR: 5 European UNESCO Sites You Should See By River Cruise

March 14, 2023 — Stonehenge. The Acropolis of Athens. Pompeii. Europe has so many protected UNESCO World Heritage sites—more than 400 by last count—one could practically stumble upon history on a morning walk to get coffee. (In Rome, another UNESCO site, you almost always do.) These landmarks, per UNESCO, are “so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.”

The Points Guy: Best first-time cruises for all types of travelers

February 11, 2023 — If you're retired or fall into the 55+ age group and are looking for an adults-only, highly inclusive cruise designed to immerse you in the destination, Viking has you covered.

Food & Wine: Get a Crash Course on Bordeaux's Wines Via This Viking River Cruise

December 30, 2022 — My homework began before I’d even packed my suitcase. Viking provided all passengers taking the Longship Forseti’s “Châteaux, Rivers & Wine” cruise with a list of suggested reading that spanned French literature, history, art, wine, and food. A few weeks later, collapsing onto the bed of my modern, Nordic-style stateroom, I paged through an introduction to Bordeaux’s wine regions while surveying the selection of in-room wine education videos.

Fodor’s Travel: All the Ancient Egyptian Mythology You’ll Learn on a Nile Cruise

November 8, 2022 — Viking River Cruises’ Viking Osiris, launched in 2022, is the most luxurious new ship sailing the Nile, geared toward curious travelers who value educational excursions with talented Egyptologists.

Vogue: A Rhine River Cruise Is the Perfect Way to Discover Europe’s Lesser-Known Cities

November 8, 2022 — For seven days and nights, we cruised along the Rhine: stopping in both tiny villages and cosmopolitan cities; enjoying the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in our staterooms and the lounge; spotting vineyards and castles along the river all the way from the Black Forest to the canals of the Netherlands.

Condé Nast Traveler: The Top Cruise Lines in the World: 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards: River Ship Line #1: Viking River Cruises

October 4, 2022 — Parent company Viking Cruises has expanded feverishly in recent years, with more than 60 river ships and seven ocean vessels in its fleet.

USA Today: Sail ‘right in the heart of the US’ on Viking's new Mississippi River cruise ship

September 10, 2022 — Viking has brought American travelers to destinations around the world on its cruises, but until now has not had a river ship based in North America. The company operates close to 100 river and ocean vessels, and 82% of its guests come from America, Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, told USA TODAY.  

Newsweek: America's Best Customer Service 2023

August 31, 2022 — Viking ranked #1 on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Customer Service Brands in the transportation and travel cruise category for the third consecutive year.  

Forbes: Viking Names Its Newest Nile River Ship In Luxor, Setting Egypt Up For A Travel Boom

August 23, 2022 — Egypt’s ancient hieroglyphics are all about symbols and Viking Osiris is likely to become the symbol of how to explore the country in style.

Cruise Critic: Live from Viking Osiris: A Luxury Cruise on the Nile River

August 23, 2022 — Viking is no stranger to sailing the Nile: The cruise line long has chartered ships from other companies to sail Egypt's famed river, and in 2018, it launched Viking Ra, a ship it took down to its studs and refurbished to match the line's trademark Scandinavian style. But with the August 2022 debut of Viking Osiris, the company has created its first purpose-built ship for the region.

The Points Guy: A trio of new super-small cruise vessels promises luxury adventure from South America to Asia

August 20, 2022 — River cruise giant Viking is calling its new river ship the most upscale cruise vessel on the Nile, and from what we’ve seen of it so far, it’s a boast that’s hard to dispute. Designed to hold just 82 passengers, Viking Osiris features an entire deck of sprawling suites with two full-size rooms apiece; two suites even have stunning glass walls that wrap around the front of the vessel.

U.S. News & World Report: The 10 Top River Cruise Lines

August 19, 2022 — Viking's 60-plus ships − known as longships − carry roughly 75 to 250 people (depending on the vessel) and traverse major rivers across Europe, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Douro and more. Other popular routes sail to destinations in Asia, Egypt and the Mississippi River.

USA Today: Sail down the Seine from Paris to Normandy on this luxury cruise

August 2, 2022 — Viking offers a wide itinerary of Paris tours from its ships, so if it's your first time in this “City of Light,” a tour of Paris in the comfort of your luxurious Viking bus, with stops at every destination along the way, is definitely the way to go! Your ship is docked within easy walking distance to many of the famous Parisian sites, so don't be hesitant to stretch your legs and explore this city's beauty on your own.

USA Today: These are the 10 best river cruise ships, according to our readers

July 30, 2022 — The Viking Hlin   out of Amsterdam cruises the Rhine in style. Built in 2014 with accommodations for 190 passengers, the ship features an open-air cafe on the bow, as well as a top deck that runs the ship's entire length with plenty of lounging options and the chef's herb garden.

Travel + Leisure: The 10 Best River Cruise Lines

July 12, 2022 — With its fleet of more than 50 contemporary “longships” on rivers such as the Rhine, the Danube, and the Seine, plus additional ships in Europe, Egypt, and Vietnam, T+L's top-ranked river cruise line for 2022 is often praised for its steadiness. “Having traveled on seven Viking longships that are virtually indistinguishable from one another, I believe it's the consistency that makes Viking one of our favorite ways to travel,” said one reader.

U.S. News & World Report: 10 Top Mississippi River Cruises 2022-2023

June 13, 2022 — Viking River Cruises is a newcomer to U.S. rivers, and its custom-built ship – the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi – will mark that milestone when it sails its inaugural Mississippi River cruise in June 2022.

Travel Weekly: Viking Radgrid and its sisters sail to the heart of France

June 4, 2022 — It's not every day that a cruise line launches four ships at the same time on the same river, but that's just what Viking Cruises did earlier this spring. The Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga all joined the fleet to sail Seine and Rhone itineraries visiting delightful ports in Normandy and central and southern France.

The Points Guy: The types of Viking cruise ships, explained

April 3, 2022 — Viking is unusual among major cruise lines in that it operates both ocean ships and river ships. But despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

Forbes: Viking Christens 8 New Ships To Kick Off River Sailing Season

March 18, 2022 — In a special naming ceremony that took place in Paris and live-streamed from Amsterdam, Viking christened 8 new river ships that had been in the pipeline since 2020.

Associated Press: Viking Mississippi cruise ship touches water for first time

March 9, 2022 — A Swiss company’s plan to offer tourists cruises along the length of the Mississippi River drew a step closer to reality this week as its new 386-passenger ship was floated out of a south Louisiana shipyard.

TravelPulse: Viking's New Egyptian Ship Marks Construction Milestone

January 27, 2022 — Viking has announced that its newest Nile River ship, the Viking Osiris, has marked a key construction milestone on January 26, touching water for the first time as it was “floated out” at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt.

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Egdir - Norse Watchman of the Giants

Egdir is identified in Norse mythology as the watchman of Jötunheimar, home of the Jötnar (or giants) and one of the nine realms in Norse cosmology. He is also believed to have been the herdsman who cared for the offspring of the mythological wolf Fenrir. But he is most well-known for his role in Ragnarok—signaling the Jötnar for the final, epic battle with the strum of his harp.

• Only 190 guests
• Length: 443 feet
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Discover our award-winning sister ships that showcase streamlined Scandinavian design, understated elegance, and innovative engineering to get you closer to destinations across Europe.

Ship Features

• 95 comfortable outside staterooms (25 Standard Staterooms, 22 French Balcony Staterooms, 39 Veranda Staterooms, 7 Veranda Suites, 2 Explorer Suites)
• All suites feature two full-size rooms with a veranda off the living room & a French balcony in the bedroom
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Our purpose-built ships offer a wide variety of staterooms for your selection. From Veranda Staterooms to the abundance of extra perks and amenities in our spacious Explorer Suites, there is no finer way to travel. And whichever stateroom you choose, you will find it beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known.

Explorer Suite (ES)

• Stateroom size: 445 sq ft (includes private veranda)
• River-view suite with private wraparound balcony offering 270-degree views off a spacious, separate sitting room, and French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door) in sleeping quarters
• 12 PM Embarkation
• 12 PM priority stateroom access
• Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
• Additional flat-screen TV in sitting area
• 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
• Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
• Premium Freyja® toiletries
• Plush robes & slippers
• Telephone, safe, refrigerator
• Individual climate control
• Bottled water replenished daily
• Welcome champagne; mini-bar with wine, beer & soft drinks (replenished daily); daily fruit plate
• Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections
• Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
• Complimentary in-room breakfast service
• Complimentary laundry & shoe shine services
• Silver Spirits beverage package included
• Private arrival/departure transfer in destination
• Under-bed suitcase storage space
• Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers
• Complimentary Viking Air Plus (US & CA only)
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Veranda Suite (AA)

• Stateroom size: 275 sq ft (includes private veranda)
• River-view suite with full-size veranda off a spacious, separate sitting room, and French Balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door) in sleeping quarters
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Veranda Stateroom (A, B)

• Stateroom size: 205 sq ft (includes private veranda)
• River-view stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to full-size veranda
• 3 PM stateroom access
• Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
• Plush robes & slippers (upon request)
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French Balcony Stateroom (C, D)

• Stateroom size: 135 sq ft
• River-view stateroom with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door)
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Standard Stateroom (E, F)

• Stateroom size: 150 sq ft
• River-view stateroom with half-height picture window
• Private bathroom with accessible shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
• View the Standard Stateroom (E, F) in our 360° Tour

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The 3 types of Viking cruise ships, explained

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Viking is unusual among major cruise lines in that it operates both ocean ships and river ships. Despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

The vast majority of Viking’s river ships — at last count, there were 80 — feature the same design. If you’ve seen one of them, you’ve seen them all.

Ditto for the line’s ocean ships. Nine of Viking’s 11 ocean ships are nearly identical. The two exceptions are the recently unveiled Viking ocean vessels specifically designed for expedition cruising — a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft.

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As a result, the bulk of Viking’s vessels falls into one of just three groups; all the ships in each group sport nearly identical designs.

An introduction to Viking cruise ships

Viking has expanded enormously in recent years with the addition of dozens of new river and ocean ships.

Founded in 1997 with four river vessels, the company operated just 29 ships as recently as 2012. Now, there are more than 90 ships in its fleet.

The vast majority of these ships are river ships — the company’s sole focus for its first 18 years in business. The company dominates the market for river cruises aimed at North Americans, accounting for about 50% of all such trips.

Starting in 2015, Viking began rolling out ocean cruise ships, too.

In early 2023, as noted above, Viking had 80 river ships in its fleet — almost all of which have the same basic design. The exceptions are a few vessels that Viking operates on rivers in Egypt and Asia (more on these ships below). The line also recently began offering cruises on the Mississippi River and its tributaries using a new type of vessel.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Viking’s ocean ships fall into two distinct groups: a series of 930-passenger traditional ocean ships that began debuting in 2015, and a series of 378-passenger expedition ships that began debuting in 2022.

Unlike most cruise lines, Viking doesn’t use the term “classes” to define different sets of ships in its fleet. Instead, it refers to its series of traditional ocean ships as the “Viking ocean ships” and its series of expedition ships as the “Viking expedition ships.” We’ve followed the same breakdown of the line’s ocean and river fleet below.

Viking ocean ships

Ships: Viking Saturn (2023), Viking Neptune (2022), Viking Mars (2022), Viking Venus (2021), Viking Jupiter (2019), Viking Orion (2018), Zhao Shang Yi Dun (2017), Viking Sky (2017), Viking Sea (2016) and Viking Star (2015).

Size: 47,800 tons.

For years, Viking only operated river ships, and some cruisers still think of the brand primarily as a river cruise company. However, since 2015, Viking has been rapidly rolling out a series of upscale ocean vessels; these new additions are increasingly dominating the world of higher-end ocean cruising.

As of June 2023, Viking has nine ships sailing the world’s oceans, each with a capacity for 930 passengers. That gives Viking 8,370 berths in the upscale ocean cruise market — more than competitors Oceania Cruises and Azamara combined.

The series is far from finished. Six more of the vessels are on order from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for delivery between 2024 and 2028, and the company also has options with Fincantieri for four more of the ships to debut in 2029 and 2030. Assuming they are all built, Viking’s ocean division will soon be bigger than Oceania, Azamara, Seabourn and Silversea Cruises  combined.

The first thing to know about the ships in this series is that they all are pretty much identical. When sailing on any one of them, you will be hard-pressed to tell what is different.

They’re also quite upscale. While Viking doesn’t market itself as a luxury line, some still consider it so. The vessels are full of luxury touches, from sumptuous bedding in cabins to heated floors in cabin bathrooms.

Related: The complete guide to Viking cabins and suites

Each of the ships in this series has a stylish, Scandinavian-influenced design that is a Viking trademark, and the cabins are large by cruise ship standards. Even the smallest cabins on each of the vessels have 270 square feet of space — a generous amount. Many cabins are significantly bigger than that, with 14 two-room suites on each of the vessels ranging in size from 757 to 1,448 square feet. Many of these bigger suites offer sweeping views from wrap-around private balconies.

Each of the ships’ interior spaces is built around an elegant, three-deck-high atrium filled with comfortable seating areas that have a living room-like feel. Each also has a bar and guest relations desk. At the top of the ships, you’ll find two-deck-high, glass-walled lounges that offer stunning views over the bow. Other interior spaces include a fitness center and a stylish spa with a thermal suite area that is open to all passengers at no extra charge (something that is not common on cruise vessels).

Multiple restaurants on board each of the vessels include Italian eatery Manfredi’s (named after former Silversea owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, a friend of Viking founder Torstein Hagen) and The Chef’s Table. The latter features rotating themed menus.

The centerpiece of the top deck of each of the ships is the main pool area, which features a glass magrodome that can close during inclement weather. The main pool area on each of the ships sits next to a lovely, glass-topped lounge with comfortable seating called the Wintergarden, which is home to afternoon tea. A den of serenity, it’s one of our favorite places on these vessels.

A secondary pool area with an infinity pool is at the back of each of the ships.

While all of the ships in this series are essentially identical, you will find small differences on a few of them. Most notably, two of the vessels in the series — Viking Orion and Viking Jupiter — have a small planetarium built into the top level of the two-level lounge at their fronts (known as the Explorers’ Lounge). Some of the later ships in the series have slightly larger fitness centers and slightly smaller hair salons.

Note that in addition to the nine Viking ocean ships officially in the Viking fleet, a 10th ship from the same series, Zhao Shang Yi Dun, caters exclusively to the China market as part of a joint venture between Viking and a Chinese company. When it debuted in 2017, the ship originally catered to the North American market and was called Viking Sun.

Viking river ships

Ships: Viking Fjorgyn (2022), Viking Kari (2022), Viking Radgrid (2022), Viking Skaga (2022) and more than 60 other Longships built since 2012, as well as additional river vessels.

Size: 4,000 to 5,000 tons.

River ships originally put Viking on the map, and they’re still at the core of the brand.

As noted above, the line has 80 river ships in its fleet. The vast majority of them have the same basic design and are known as Longships — a reference to the historic vessels used by Vikings in the Middle Ages.

Unveiled in 2012 and designed specifically to fit into the locks used across many of Europe’s rivers, the Longships broke new ground in river ship design in multiple ways.

For starters, they have a configuration that includes some of the largest suites ever for river ships in Europe. They also have a significant number of cabins with balconies — which is made possible by an innovative cabin area layout that offsets main corridors. (In other words, the corridors don’t run down the middle of the ship, creating a wider side with space for balconies and a narrower side with cabins turned sideways to also create room for verandas.)

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s cruise loyalty program

Other innovations include a squared-off bow that allows for eight more cabins than similarly sized ships operated by competitors. Also, quieter engines allow for more cabins at the rear. An enormous amount of groundbreaking engineering went into redesigning the bow areas of the ships, in particular, to enable extra cabins while still leaving room for needed machinery.

As a result of such innovations, the Viking Longships can carry more passengers than similarly sized ships operated by competitors. This has allowed Viking to offer lower prices than other river cruise lines and still bring in a similar amount of revenue per ship — a fact that has contributed greatly to the company’s rapid growth.

Like many river ships, each of the Viking Longships has one main restaurant where most passengers eat their meals as well as one main interior lounge with a bar. There’s also a secondary, casual dining area at the front of each vessel with indoor and outdoor seating. (The outdoor portion, called the Aquavit Terrace, also serves as a forward-facing outdoor lounge during off hours.) Unlike many river ships, the vessels have no spas or fitness centers.

As is typical for river ships, the top of every Viking Longship is covered with an expansive lounge area. There’s also a walking track and an herb garden — the latter used by the kitchen staff to grow herbs used during the preparation of onboard meals.

Most Viking Longships are 443 feet long — the perfect length to fit into the locks on many of Europe’s rivers. Viking also built slightly smaller versions of the Longships, measuring 361 feet or 410 feet in length, specifically to sail on rivers where lock sizes or other navigational factors require smaller vessels. The 410-foot-long versions of the vessels, for instance, were specifically built to sail into the heart of Paris on the Seine River.

Related: Fast-growing Viking unveils four new ships for the Seine

While the Longships come in several different lengths, they are essentially identical in their offerings and decor. The only notable difference is that the smaller versions of the ships have fewer cabins and thus hold fewer people. The 443-foot-long versions of the ship are designed for 190 passengers, for example, whereas the 410-foot-long versions of the vessels hold 168 passengers (since they have 11 fewer cabins).

While most Viking river ships are Longships, there are a few exceptions in the Viking river fleet. Viking operates several smaller, purpose-built vessels on the Nile River in Egypt. It also has several older river vessels that predate the Longships and traditionally have operated on rivers in Russia and Ukraine. (For now, river cruise itineraries in both countries are on hold due to the war in Ukraine.)

Viking also recently began sailings on the Mississippi River with a new ship specifically designed for the river and its tributaries.

As of May 2023, Viking had another 14 river ships either under construction or on order via provisional contracts.

Related: First look at Viking’s stylish new Nile River ship

Viking expedition ships

Ships: Viking Polaris (2022) and Viking Octantis (2022).

Size: 30,150 tons.

Designed to hold just 378 passengers, the Viking expedition ships are specifically designed to take travelers to the most off-the-beaten-path parts of the world, including Antarctica and the Arctic.

As of now, Viking operates just two ships in the series, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, both of which debuted in 2022 . No more are currently on order.

As is typical for expedition ships, these are tough vessels with reinforced bows that let them bump through ice in polar regions; the ships also have extra tanks for fuel and food.

Each of these vessels has its own landing craft on board to bring people ashore in remote locations, as well as kayaks and even submarines for exploring. (The latter is the hot new thing for expedition ships — upscale cruise brands Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Seabourn have been adding submarines to expedition ships , too.)

Like other expedition ships, both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are designed to operate with a large and seasoned “expedition team” that includes biologists, botanists, geologists, glaciologists and ornithologists who lecture regularly.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking ship

Each of the vessels has several new and unusual features, too. Most notable is The Hangar: an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to a 12-seat excursion craft while still in the protected interior of the ship. It’s a first for an expedition cruise ship.

In another first for a polar expedition cruise vessel, every cabin has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel.

Both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are designed to be upscale. Like all Viking’s vessels, they boast elegant Scandinavian designs. The restaurants on both vessels include a version of Viking’s signature Italian spot, Manfredi’s and the Scandinavian-inspired Mamsen’s outlet.

Another feature of both ships that will be familiar to regular Viking customers is a top-of-the-ship, glass-walled Explorers’ Lounge offering stunning views of passing scenery.

In case you’re curious, Viking Octantis is named after Sigma Octantis, the current “south star” that hovers over the South Pole (also known as Polaris Australis). Polaris is named after the current “north star” that hovers over the North Pole. The names are a nod to the polar regions where these expedition ships will likely spend much of their time.

Bottom line

Viking operates more cruise vessels than any other major cruise company catering to North Americans. This is in part because it’s involved in both the ocean cruise and river cruise businesses. Despite its large size, its fleet of vessels is relatively easy to understand. The vast majority of both its ocean ships and river ships are almost identical in their designs.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

The Drinks Business

Why wineries are teaming up with cruise lines.

Wine brands are having to find new ways to reach audiences in a fragmented media landscape, including on cruise ships. Kathleen Willcox finds out more. 

How do get people to buy what you’re selling? The question is as old as time (or, perhaps more to the point here, clocks).

Just a generation ago, brands looking to reach a lot of people at once could place an ad in a hit TV show or a glossy mag targeted at their desired demographic. Zip, presto, and the money would roll in.

Ah, those were innocent times—the concept of appointment television today is un-applicable in a wildly fractured media landscape filled with networks, streamers, social media channels, podcasts and more with cult, but rarely large, followings.

Today, finding a large captive audience undistracted by whatever’s happening on their phones is more challenging than ever.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the return on investment these days on traditional television advertising is dismal—Anne Tuchman, an associate professor of marketing at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management analysed the effectiveness of commercials on sales for 200+ packaged goods, including drinks, and found that companies would have to double their spending to boost sales by just a single percent.

Which is why, despite disgusted guffaws and shrieks of disdain from traditionalists, wine brands are increasingly pouring money into things like influencer marketing. One Ogilvy study reports that 40% of those engaging in influencer marketing have seen improved lead generation and sales outcomes from their work shilling on Instagram.

Brands are also finding a range of other creative ways to reach their desired audience, including, on cruise lines.

The global cruise industry is booming. Valued at US$7.4 billion in 2023, it is expected to reach US$22.6 billion by 2033, for a compound annual growth rate of 11.8 percent, according to a report from Spherical Insights and Consulting.

And it’s not just anyone cruising: it’s the people winemakers want as customers—those who are curious, thirsty for adventure, with cash to spare.

How and Why it Works

“Several of the wineries that I work with [at the California-based Zinfandel Advocates & Producers] have done work on cruises over the years,” ZAP’s executive director, Rebecca Robinson says.

“Because there are so many different cruise lines, and so many cruises that appeal to different demographics and budgets, there is an opportunity to find one with a lot of potential for a brand. For optimal success, I think it’s important for them to think about the match.”

How wines and cruise lines opt to work together does vary, but only up to a point.

Typically, a cruise line— AmaWaterways River Cruises , Silversea, Avalon Waterways, Viking River Cruises and Oceania Cruises are some of the most active wine cruise lines—will approach the winemaker.

“The corporate office arranges all of the details of getting the wine shipped, and they discuss what is expected from the winemaker on board,” says Zhivko Georgiev, a hotel manager AmaWaterways who has overseen dozens of wine cruises during his 15-year tenure with the company. “Typically, the winemaker does one tasting seminar that discusses the wine and history of the region we’re cruising in, and another that covers their own wines. They also do a wine pairing dinner.”

The winemaker is expected to prepare for the topics, and once on board, they meet with the culinary team to taste through the proposed menu for their pairing dinner.

“It is really pretty straightforward,” Georgiev says. “But everyone seems to benefit because the winemaker, even if they’re small, will make a memorable impression on the guests. The guests love it because they get to try a lot of new wines and learn about the history of the region in a new way.”

It benefits the cruise line too, of course.

“Delving into regional wine specialties has become an important part of how travelers experience a destination,” says Kristin Karst, co-founder and executive vice president at AmaWaterways. “A heightened wine focus enables our guests to develop a deeper and more nuanced appreciation for a country, it’s history, culture and people.”

Bringing in a host who can offer their personal expertise and perspective enhances their experience, she explains. Having a vintner bring in their wine is an added bonus.

“Our primary focus is showcasing the local wines of the regions we visit, but we love featuring a North American wine host who brings their own wines on board,” Karst says.

“This adds a layer of excitement and diversity to our wine program, allowing guests to explore different styles and techniques, expanding their palate and understanding of different winemaking techniques globally.”

Reaching a Completely New Audience

Traditional marketing is completely out of reach for most small wineries, so having the opportunity to find a new community of fans on a cruise ship is invaluable, says Paul Toussaint, winemaker and co-founder at Toussaint Cellars Winery in Santa Barbara.

“We still both work two other full-time jobs,” Toussaint says, referring to himself and his wife Gina Toussaint, who handles the business side of their winery. “We sell everything direct-to-consumer so getting in the market is essential for us. When Robert [Schmidt, director of sales and business development at AmaWaterways] asked us if we wanted to host a cruise, it was a no-brainer.”

There were just north of 100 cruisers, and between the seminars, the wine-pairing dinner and the bottle of wine he gifted each room, Toussaint Cellars surely earned a permanent place in the memories of the people on the journey.

Not to mention the added viral marketing bonuses from bottle shot photos posted by cruisers social media, plus the new batch of customers and potential collectors.

Cementing Long-Term Relationships

Other wineries use cruising less as a new marketing opportunity than as a way to cement relationships with long-term supporters, and the cruise lines themselves.

Remi Cohen, CEO of Napa’s Domaine Carneros, says that they do one cruise a year now, usually with Silversea. They invite club members to be a part of a larger cruise offering, with around 40 participants a year, some of whom who have cruised multiple times with the winery.

“We like to provide an opportunity for our club members to engage with the winery in a unique and special setting,” Cohen says. “We select different destinations every year to keep our members engaged.”

The enthusiastic participation of a winery’s club members sometimes surprised even experience cruise pros.

“I will never forget the name Chappellet,” Georgiev says, referring to the popular St. Helena, CA winery. “They brought several of their wine club members, and those wine club members really loved their wines. They prepared 150 bottles for a dinner with 100 guests.

I said, ‘very respectfully, but there is no way that 100 people will each drink a bottle and a half at dinner.’ Our host said, ‘just wait.’”

Georgiev admits that not only did they go through the 150, they had to open additional bottles.

“We went through so much wine, we had to have more sent over from America halfway through the cruise,” he says. “No. I will never forget the name Chappellet.”

Cohen says that their long-term relationship with Silversea has, in addition to reinforcing relationships with their biggest supporters, presented unexpected opportunities to showcase their brand.

“Silversea has purchased our wines to feature on their cruises outside of these special cruise events,” she says.

Nick Palumbo, owner and winemaker at Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery in Temecula, CA, agrees that while he initially joined AmaWaterways as a host to bolster relationships with Palumbo’s loyal wine club members, there have been several unexpected benefits.

“We have found that the demographic is more diverse than you might expect,” Palumbo says. “There were people on board ranging from families with teens all the way through the more typical retired couples. These trips have also proven to be great ‘friend-raisers.’ They make our wine club members feel a part of something bigger. And we also picked up a few members along the way, people who weren’t familiar with our winery at all.”

Featured Winery Onboard

Brands don’t even necessarily need to host a specific cruise to reap major benefits. As Michael Mondavi, founder of Michael Mondavi Family Estate and co-founder of Folio Fine Wine Partners explains, he founded The Cellars by the Michael Mondavi Family on the Norwegian Escape in 2015 to leverage “exposure to a diverse demographic of guests from around the world.”

“We look at cruise lines as a great marketing tool for our brands, and not just cases sold,” Mondavi says.

The Cellars by the Michael Mondavi Family is featured on five Norwegian ships. They began by featuring family wines, including M by Michael Mondavi, Animo and Oberon, and supplemented the sips with formal tastings and learning experiences.

“It then evolved into winemaker cruises where [his children] Dina [Mondavi], Rob [Mondavi] or myself would sail onboard for a week to meet guests and lead wine tastings and dinner onboard,” Mondavi says.

He says that Slainte Wines, a cruise line brokerage has expanded the focus further, and gotten them key placements on several cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America, MSC, Disney and Windstar.

“We’ve found that cruise lines are a great way to gain exposure,” Mondavi says. “Guests are on vacation, relaxing and they’re open to trying food and beverages that they may not have tried before. Many go home and seek out these wines to enjoy and share with family and friends.”

Once bitten by the wine cruise bug, hosts tend to become believers.

“Many of our hosts choose to partner with us repeatedly, often hosting a cruise every year,” Karst says. “They are able to deepen relationships with their wine club members, increase exposure of their products, boost sales when they return and grow their wine club memberships.”

Toussaint certainly feels that way.

“I’ve already signed up to host another cruise in Burgundy,” Toussaint says.

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