Viking’s latest annual survey of the New Zealand and Australian travel trade has confirmed growing demand for future cruising as travellers are eager to lock in their next cruise.

When asked about an increase in the level of enquiry, 24% of respondents stated they had received ‘more than normal’ the number of requests, while more than half reported a ‘small amount’ in the increase of enquiries.

Viking has given its trade loyalty programme Rewards by Viking an extensive upgrade. New features further reward trade partners, increased engagement and enhance the overall user experience.

Rewards by Viking allows travel agents to earn reward points for booking Viking’s ocean, river and expedition cruises. These can be redeemed in the online Rewards by Viking store on a range of brand-name items – from electronics and sporting goods to beauty products and gift vouchers.

Viking has released close to 1000 new departure dates for its 2023 European river cruise programme.

The departures are across a range of itineraries along the Rhine, Main, Danube, and Russian and Douro rivers including the ever-popular Grand European from Amsterdam to Budapest.

Viking’s VOR event at Auckland’s Tamaki Yacht Club on Wednesday night was action packed with 120 agents enjoying education along with a quiz and some prizes.

Managing director ANZ of Viking, Michelle Black and national sales manager, Keira Smith were able to cross the ditch for the event along with MC Andrew Gill.

‘Thank goodness for bubbles,’ said Black, who told the agents that although cruising may have stopped in 2020, Viking had been busy. The company launched Viking TV so that clients could cruise virtually from home, and continued to actively market to both the consumer and trade. It’s taken a scientific approach to health and safety protocols, including installing full PCR labs on ocean ships and implementing daily saliva PCR tests onboard all of its ships.

The main focus of the training evening was on polar expedition cruising (with a wrap up of river and ocean product) with regional sales manager NZ, Steve Parker also encouraging agents ‘to use us for your benefit,’ including hosting client events.

• Angela Manase, Manase Travel Studio,... Angela Manase, Manase Travel Studio,...
• Sue Smith-Kindred, Kindred Travel and... Sue Smith-Kindred, Kindred Travel and...
• Nancy Crooks, TMG; Margy Twigden,... Nancy Crooks, TMG; Margy Twigden,...
• Fleur Gosling, Stars Travel and... Fleur Gosling, Stars Travel and...
• With a bottle of champagne... With a bottle of champagne...
• Kristin Edgeworth 360 Edge and... Kristin Edgeworth 360 Edge and...
• Catherine Roberts, helloworld broker; Sue... Catherine Roberts, helloworld broker; Sue...
• Marilo Harpley, Sarah Osborne and... Marilo Harpley, Sarah Osborne and...
• Jo Pett, Travel Connections; Sam... Jo Pett, Travel Connections; Sam...
• Tony Jackson, House of Travel... Tony Jackson, House of Travel...
• Trudy Markham and Catherine Tyler,... Trudy Markham and Catherine Tyler,...
• Trudy Markham and Catherine Tyler,... Trudy Markham and Catherine Tyler,...
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The need for flexibility in booking and reservation policies, plus reconfirmation of strong demand in the market place for future cruising, have been highllghted in recent research.

‘Viking’s annual industry survey conducted across New Zealand and Australian agents is designed to establish how agent partners are faring in the current climate and how best the company can service their needs,’ says Michelle Black, Viking ANZ managing director.  ‘In 2020 due to the unprecedented impact of the pandemic on the entire travel industry, this tool has never been more important.

Viking Expeditions will begin sailing in January 2022 with Viking Octantis, embarking on voyages to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes.

Viking’s Great Lakes itineraries will visit the states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario.

Michelle Black, Viking ANZ managing director says the cruise line has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), whose scientists will join expeditions in the

Viking has a sale on a number of voyages departing in 2021, 22 and 23, with savings of up to A$4600 per couple when booked before 30 November 2020.

The Explore The Viking Way sale features generous flight credits and savings on Viking’s most popular river, ocean and expedition cruises. With the extension of its Risk-Free Guarantee to 30 September 2020, clients have the freedom to change their plans up to
24 hours before departure, for any reason.