Viking President and CEO Leah Talactac and Executive Chairman Torstein Hagen, far left, during the naming ceremony in Amsterdam. (Source: Viking)
Viking’s enduring commitment to the travel trade was made abundantly clear in its selection of seven travel advisors to serve as godparents for seven river ships in four countries during a showstopping ceremony in Amsterdam, set against the backdrop of two of the new vessels, Viking Rota and Viking Haki.
The ceremony also named Viking Fjolvar in Les Andelys, France; Viking Halogi and Viking Sjofn in Rostock, Germany; and Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet in Luxor, Egypt, virtually.
Meet the New Godparents
The godparents and captains of Viking’s newly named river ships. (Source: Viking)
Ealeen Wong, senior director of strategy, partnerships & sales for Expedia Group’s global cruise business, served Viking Rota’s godmother; The Roaming Boomers Co-Owner Carol Porter as Viking Haki’s godmother; Pavlus Travel President Shelby Steudle as godmother to Viking Fjolvar; Virtuoso Senior Vice President Global Market Michael Londregan as godfather to Viking Ptah; Cruise Planners Owner Michael Consoli as godfather to Viking Sekhmet; Imagine Going There Travel Owner Carol Shaddix as godmother to Viking Halogi; andDanielle “Dani” Galloway,global managing director, luxury and independent, at Flight Centre Travel Group, as godmother to Viking Sjofn.
A Stand Against ‘Nickel-and-Diming’
During a press briefing earlier in the day, Viking Executive Chairman Torstein Hagen reiterated the company’s long-standing commitment to its travel trade partners, noting that its formidable direct marketing efforts are coupled with a deep and abiding reliance on its advisor partners.
“I was home in Switzerland this morning, and I damned myself for not putting on the red hat from some 15 years ago, which says, ‘No NCFs,’” Hagen said. “We were very strong on that. We don’t want to nickel-and-dime our customers, and we don’t want to nickel-and-dime our travel trade partners”
Gratitude for Integral Partnerships
Viking President and Chief Executive Officer Leah Talactac echoed that sentiment. “As we name our seven newest river ships, we are especially proud to honor travel advisor partners who have been an integral part of our journey,” she said. “It is a privilege to recognize seven of these exceptional partners as godparents in gratitude for their meaningful contributions to Viking’s success.”
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