For a limited time, travel agents who have signed up for Viking’s new loyalty program, Rewards by Viking, will receive 250 bonus points for booking their clients on a Viking ocean or river cruise.

Viking Cruises’ fifth ocean ship, Viking Orion, arrived in Darwin today [Tuesday 4 December 2018] for the very first time, and travel agents can’t wait to get on board. As part of Viking’s popular Komodo & the Australian Coast Bali to Sydney itinerary, Viking Orion is currently docked in Darwin. She will then continue on to a selection of other iconic Australian destinations including Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane and Newcastle before reaching her Australian home port, Sydney, on 16 December.

In this week’s interview, LATTE chats exclusively with Michelle Black, Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Viking Cruises.

Launched in September, the World of Viking sale includes a range of fantastic deals on both river and ocean cruises – from reduced fares and free or discounted flights to bonus stateroom upgrades, free city extensions and savings of up to $4,000 per couple. These offers will end on 30 November, 2018, unless sold out prior.

Viking has announced that its previously sold out 15-day Rhine & Viking Shores & Fjords ocean and river combination cruise is now available to book once again.

Viking has launched a trade marketing incentive to support its World of Viking sale. Dubbed World of Viking Bingo, the incentive runs from 1 September to 30 November 2018.

Viking Cruises has released four new cruise itineraries ranging from 38 to 87 days. The itineraries combine to form the epic 245-day Viking Ultimate World Cruise, a round-trip from London departing in August 2019 and the third world cruise on board Viking Sun.

Viking has launched a trade incentive rewarding the travel agent who sells the most Viking river cruises between 1 August 2018 and 30 November 201 with an 8-day Lyon and Provence River Cruise for two.

Viking Cruises is offering a free upgrade from a Veranda stateroom to a Deluxe Veranda stateroom on three of its new Grand Voyages in 2019, representing a saving of up to $7,200 per couple. As an added incentive to book early, Viking is extending a flight deal, offering one-way fares leading in at $795 per person from Australia to Santiago or from Durban or London back home.

Named after the prominent constellation and in honour of Dr. Fisher’s work on NASA’s Orion exploration vehicle project, the 930-guest 47,800-ton Viking Orion arrived in Livorno early Friday morning.

“We’re excited to provide even more guests the opportunity to discover such a magical place,” said Michelle Black, Viking Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand.

Viking Jupiter – a sister ship to the 465-stateroom Viking Star, Viking Sea, Viking Sky, Viking Sun and, debuting in June, Viking Orion – will officially make Viking the largest small ship ocean cruise line in the industry, just four years after its launch into ocean sailings.