Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1078347
24 V I K I N G C R U I S E S 1. How long have you been working for Viking? Since January 2003. 2. What does your job entail? Land operation takes care of all that is related to land. Land operations organizes transfers from airport to ship or hotel, excursions, tour guides, coaches, entrance tickets, luggage handling, private arrangements, product development. We work very close with local vendors, DMC`s, Viking hosts in hotels and make sure we deliver what is promised on the Viking webpage, brochures and cruise documents. Johan Schuitemaker Senior Shore Excursion Product Manager for Russia, Ukraine and France. 3. What do you find most challenging about your Job? Deviations during high or low water periods are very challenging. In general my job is very exciting as every day there is so much happening that no day is the same and I never get bored. In addition, strikes (airlines, trains, lockmasters, museums) especially in France can drive you nuts as they are often announced at very short notice. However, it is very rewarding to hear that guests liked what we did. 4. Which is your favorite Viking itinerary and why? e Waterways of the Tsars. It is the combination of 2 big cities with millions of people and in between the quaint sailing portion. After busy days in St. Petersburg or Moscow depending on the cruise direction one is looking forward to enjoy the peacefulness of the rivers. Once the ship leaves one of the big cities, guests start to relax also due to the speed of the boat. It is the combination of the Waterways we use to get from A to B. One sails on lakes as big as Switzerland, the romantic Neva and Svir Rivers, the interesting Volga – Baltic Canal, Mother Volga and the Moscow Canal. is unique combination you won`t find somewhere else in Europe. 5. What is your most favorite destination and why? Helsinki in Finland. Especially after a cruise in Russia spending some days in Helsinki is very relaxing as the capital of Finland is small compared to St. Petersburg. It is a very walkable city and has a very relaxed atmosphere. 6. What excites you about the future for Viking? e growth of the company and the Ocean vessels. It would be great to go from an Ocean vessel on to a river cruise or vice versa. Guests know what to accept and that creates less headache. St Petersburg, Russia