Viking has revealed the names of seven new river ships, each named in tribute to prominent travel advisor partners. The announcement was made during a naming ceremony held in Paris, France, on March 19, 2024.
New Vessels Join Viking’s Expanding Fleet
The newly named ships—Viking Aton, Viking Hathor, Viking Sobek, Viking Ra, Viking Osiris, Viking Eir, and Viking Skaga—will operate across various European and Egyptian waterways. The vessels are set to enhance Viking’s river cruise offerings, with several already in service and others scheduled for deployment later this year.
Travel Advisor Partners Honored as Godmothers
Each ship’s godmother is a top-performing travel advisor, selected by Viking for their contributions to the company’s growth. The godmothers include:
- Jennifer Halboth, CEO of Classic Vacations, for Viking Aton
- Jackie Friedman, President of Nexion Travel Group, for Viking Hathor
- Kristin Karst, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder of AmaWaterways, for Viking Sobek
- Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service at Royal Caribbean International, for Viking Ra
- Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners, for Viking Osiris
- Alex Sharpe, President and CEO of Signature Travel Network, for Viking Eir
- David Crooks, Senior Vice President of Product & Operations at World Travel Holdings, for Viking Skaga
Ceremony Held in Paris
The naming event took place in the French capital, with ship godmothers participating in the traditional blessing of the vessels. Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen expressed appreciation for the travel advisor community, stating, “We are pleased to honor these esteemed partners who have played a significant role in Viking’s success.”
Fleet Expansion in Europe and Egypt
The new ships will operate on the Nile, Rhine, and other major rivers. Viking Aton, Viking Hathor, Viking Sobek, and Viking Ra are designated for Egyptian itineraries, while Viking Osiris, Viking Eir, and Viking Skaga will serve European routes. The additions are part of Viking’s ongoing strategy to expand its river cruise fleet and meet growing demand.
Further Information
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