Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 28, 2025
Viking Celebrates 100+ Ship Milestone with Global Naming Ceremony
TLDR
- Viking's expansion to over 100 ships and nine new vessels strengthens its market leadership position as the most awarded cruise line in both river and ocean categories.
- Viking celebrated reaching 100 ships by hosting global naming ceremonies across six countries, officially welcoming nine new river vessels with distinguished godparents representing their extended family.
- Viking's focus on cultural discovery and trusted services enhances global exploration while supporting travel advisors who provide knowledgeable care to guests worldwide.
- The new Viking Honir ship draws its name from Norse mythology, where the god Honir was known for bestowing wisdom and reason upon humanity.
Impact - Why it Matters
This expansion represents significant growth in accessible luxury travel experiences worldwide, offering travelers more diverse cultural exploration opportunities across 21 rivers, five oceans, and all seven continents. For consumers, Viking's fleet expansion means greater availability of immersive, educational journeys that prioritize cultural enrichment over traditional cruise experiences. The company's continued investment in travel advisor partnerships ensures better service and expertise for travelers planning their voyages. As demand rises for Viking's World Cruises and Asia itineraries, this milestone signals enhanced capacity for travelers seeking sophisticated, destination-focused adventures with the industry's most awarded cruise line.
Summary
Viking® has achieved a monumental milestone in the travel industry by expanding its fleet to over 100 ships across river, ocean, and expedition categories, marking a historic achievement in global exploration. The company celebrated this landmark occasion with a spectacular global naming ceremony spanning six countries, officially welcoming nine new river vessels into service. Each ship received a distinguished godparent from Viking's extended family, with Vice President of Trade Development & Training Michele Saegesser being honored as Godmother of the new Viking Honir during ceremonies in Basel, Switzerland. The name "Honir" draws from Norse mythology, representing wisdom and reason—qualities that perfectly reflect Saegesser's decades of dedication to travel advisors through mentorship, education, and steadfast partnership support.
The celebration highlighted Viking's unique approach to recognizing internal leadership rather than relying on celebrity-driven marketing, a strategy that has earned deep loyalty from travel professionals like Heather Viking of Club Cruise™. Founder & Chairman Torstein Hagen's vision of cultural discovery and enrichment, supported by Karine Hagen's advancement of Viking's educational mission, continues to drive the company's position as the world's most awarded cruise line. The newly named ships include Viking Annar, Viking Dagur, Viking Eldir, Viking Honir, and Viking Nerthus in Europe; Viking Gyda in Portugal; and Viking Tonle, Viking Thoth, and Viking Amun in Asia. Guests enjoyed cultural performances that embody Viking's hallmark enrichment experiences, while travel advisors celebrated the company's commitment to partnership and professional development.
Club Cruise™ CEO Amanda Huber emphasized how Michele Saegesser's leadership ensures advisors receive the support needed to provide exceptional guest experiences, noting rising demand for Viking World Cruises and immersive Asia itineraries through 2026-2027. The celebration continues with an Executive Training Retreat aboard the Viking Yi Dun for the Jewels of Japan & China journey, where Heather Viking and Amanda Huber will deepen their expertise alongside Viking leadership. Additional insights are available on the Club Cruise™ Blog, while Viking maintains its industry dominance with numerous awards including #1 for Oceans and Rivers from Condé Nast Traveler for five consecutive years, World's Best from Travel + Leisure, and recognition from Forbes Travel Guide and Cruise Critic across all cruise categories.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Viking Celebrates 100+ Ship Milestone with Global Naming Ceremony
