Viking to launch ocean voyages in 2015
Owner promises more overnights, longer port calls
LOS ANGELES — No more “nickelling-and-diming.” That’s the mantra of Torstein Hagen, Viking Cruises chairman and owner.
The “shoot-from-the-shoulders boss” of Viking didn’t mince words when announcing that in2 015—May17 to be exact — he will launch the Viking Star, his first of what could be many ocean-going cruise ships.
The Star will have only outside cabins that will carry 928 passengers. The smallest cabin will be 270 square feet, including the balcony.
Standing at the podium at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in front of a full house of media, travel agents and past guests, Hagen pointed out that many popular concepts from his river ships will be implemented on the ocean ship(s).
“We are going to spend more time in ports, whether it’s with overnights or leaving later at night,” he said.
Hagen drew bursts of applause as he empathically discussed what will and will not be part of cruising aboard the Viking Star:
No formal nights; casually elegant will do.
No casino: “We are staying later in ports, and with no casino and no casino staff, we can add more cabins.”
Free Wi-Fi, which brought the loudest cheer.
Free excursions, with enhanced excursions available at a cost.
Free beer and wine at lunch and dinner.
No charge for any of the specialty restaurants.
Port fees and taxes included.
Hagen has always claimed the destination is more important than getting there, which is the inspiration for more overnights on each cruise, longer stays in ports and fewer days at sea.
The Star’s first summer schedule covers much of Europe. Here’s a sampling of its itineraries:
Viking Homelands: 15 days with overnights in Bergen (Norway), Stockholm and St. Petersburg, Russia. Calls include Helsinki, Gdansk (Poland), Berlin (Warnemünde) and Copenhagen.
Passage Through Western Europe: 15 days from Bergen to Barcelona, with overnights at both ends as well as in London and Paris (Rouen). Port calls include Lisbon, Cadiz, Gibraltar and Cartagena.
Mediterranean Odyssey: 13 days from Barcelona (overnight) with stops that include Monte Carlo; Tuscany (Livorno); Rome; Naples; Corfu (Kerkyra), Greece; Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia; and Venice (also overnight).
Empires of the Mediterranean: 10 days from Venice to Istanbul (overnight), with calls in Pula and Dubrovnik in Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Santorini, Athens (Piraeus); and Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey.
The itineraries are arranged so that if you want more you can add on without duplicating ports.
This year Viking’s river ships will carry 250,000 passengers, providing Hagen with a good base for marketing his ocean division.
“The main dining room will be where our culinary expertise will shine,” he said. “The restaurant will be on the promenade deck and, as (an) added bonus, on smooth sailing nights the windows can open floor to ceiling.”
As for entertainment, the chairman would only say he likes the Beatles, classical music and guitar … so take it from there.
Hagen was the first to sense that river cruising was going to explode in popularity, and he beat most of the others to the market by building six ships in 2012, 10 this year, and another 12 due out next year.
The ocean-going, small-ship lines — Azamara, Oceania and Silversea to name three — are already enjoying popularity on the ocean and will be ready to duel the new kid on the block.
However, I wouldn’t bet against Torstein Hagen being successful.
Viking Star is on sale now through your cruise agent or online at Vikingcruises.com and you will find more information on my blog (Portsandbows.com). Visit portsandbows.com for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind- the- scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Phil Reimer may be contacted directly at portsandbows@gmail.com. Postmedia News