Viking will appoint seven travel advisors as godparents of its newest river ships, honouring long-standing partners in a naming ceremony in Amsterdam on 15 October. Two of the seven hold senior roles in the Australian and New Zealand travel industry.
The seven ships, Viking Haki, Viking Halogi, Viking Sjofn, Viking Rota, Viking Sekhmet, Viking Ptah and Viking Fjolvar, will join a fleet of more than 100 vessels. Viking Haki, Halogi, Sjofn and Rota will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube. Viking Sekhmet and Viking Ptah will sail the Nile, while Viking Fjolvar will operate on the Seine.
Two godparents lead Australian and New Zealand luxury travel businesses
Michael Londregan, senior vice president of global operations at Virtuoso, becomes godfather of Viking Ptah. Viking said Londregan has played a significant role in strengthening its presence within the Virtuoso network across Australia and New Zealand since the partnership began in 2017.
Danielle Galloway, global managing director of premium leisure and independents at Flight Centre Travel Group, becomes godmother of Viking Sjofn. Viking said Galloway has been instrumental in the line becoming the top-selling cruise brand within Travel Associates, Flight Centre Travel Group’s luxury advisor brand.
Remaining godparents represent global advisor networks
The other five godparents represent Viking’s international advisor and agency partnerships: Shelby Steudle of Pavlus Travel, Carol Porter of The Roaming Boomers, Carol Shaddix of Imagine Going There, Ealeen Wong of Expedia Cruises, and Michael Consoli of Cruise Planners, described by Viking as its top global producing travel advisor.
Leah Talactac, president and chief executive of Viking, said the appointments reflected the value of long-term advisor relationships.
“For nearly 30 years, our travel advisor partners have helped curious travelers explore the world with Viking,” Talactac said. “These seven individuals represent the strength of those longstanding relationships, and we are proud to honor them as godparents of our newest river ships.”
