Viking has welcomed not one, not two, but eight new river ships to its fleet during a celebration in Paris last week. In unison, eight Godmothers christened the vessels, including senior executives from luxury travel networks, Virtuoso and Signature Travel Newtork.

Viking’s first riverboat dedicated to the US market, Viking Mississippi, has been “floated out” in Louisiana, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in June 2022, Viking Mississippi will sail the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, between New Orleans and St. Paul.

Viking has marked the launch of its highly-anticipated expeditions as the new purpose-built Viking Octantis started its first Antarctic season last month.

Queensland’s Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel took advantage of the international border reopening, last week hosting a Luxury Travel & Cruise event in Noosa supported by the industry’s leading high-end brands.

Viking’s newest ocean ship – the 930-guest Viking Neptune – was floated out from the Ancona shipyard of Fincantieri last week. It was the first time the vessel had touched water.

Viking has launched its 2022/24 Ocean Cruises brochure showcasing close to 70 voyages around the globe, including 11 new itineraries. Among the new options are four departures in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and four new Transatlantic sailings.

To promote its current expedition offer, which includes a saving of up to $8,000 per couple including flights, Viking gave Australian and New Zealand travel agents the chance to win an expedition pack valued at over AU$1,000.

Viking has revamped its trade loyalty program, Rewards by Viking, introducing new features to further recognise the value of trade partners, increase engagement and enhance the overall user experience.

Viking has introduced a handful of new inaugural Mississippi cruises for its launch season next year on the iconic US waterway. The sailings will be operated aboard Viking’s new 386-guest purpose-built state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi, which is inspired by the Viking Longships operated in Europe.

Viking has unveiled new expedition sailings for the summer 2023 season aboard Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, including a new two-week itinerary in the United States’ Great Lakes.

Viking has opened reservations for a suite of new departure dates on some of its most popular ocean cruise itineraries for late 2023 and early 2024, including those that cover Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, Alaska, the Caribbean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Viking has confirmed its newest ocean ship, to be named Viking Saturn, will join the company’s fleet in early 2023. The 930-guest sister ship will spend her maiden season sailing three new itineraries in Scandinavian and Nordic countries.