Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1534783
In 2012, Viking launched their first four Viking Longships, with the largest suites in Europe.In 2013, they set a Guinness World Record by christening 10 Viking Longships in one day and, in 2014, broke the record again with another 14 Longships launched in a single day. In 2015, they started ocean cruising and by the end of 2022, they will have an ocean fleet of eight ships which visit over 250 ports around the world. 25 YEARS "YOUNG": VIKING AT A GLANCE Ocean voyages: 5 Oceans, 80 Countries, 250 ports River journeys: 18 Rivers, 20 Countries, 107 ports Expedition voyages: Antarctica and 5 Great Lakes; Viking Polaris launching later in 2022 From the outset, Torstein wanted the Viking name to reflect more than a catchy brand. The identity aimed to espouse the original Vikings' psyche, intellect and creativity. He wanted to offer experiences for The Thinking Person who is keen to plunge into a destination's culture, art, literature and cuisine. At the same time, he also knew exactly what he didn't want: casinos, children, umbrella drinks and art auctions. Discerning travellers soon found their ultimate cruising echelon. Viking designed all their itineraries to satisfy curious guests, from Pharaohs and Pyramids in Egypt to the Mediterranean Odyssey. Plus, an enticing range of culture-filled immersive experiences remains integral to their offerings. Each day, whether on a river, ocean or expedition voyage, you explore your destination with a local guide, visit homes of local families, attend private concerts or head off on hikes in wilderness areas. The choice is yours to tour galleries and other places of interest, including the likes of The Sanctuary of Truth in Thailand and Quinta da Aveleda (a private winery in Portugal). And the opportunity to rub shoulders with ghosts of Kings and Queens or Dukes and Dames in historic homes such as Highclere Castle, home of Downton Abbey (not surprisingly, it's one of their most popular excursions). After the day's action, relax over a drink and enjoy a captivating talk given by onboard historians and experts. Cuisine is an equally important part of the offering. Viking's ocean and expedition fleet boasts a number of world-class restaurants, including the World Café, The Chef's Table and Manfredi's, Viking's specialty and yet inclusive restaurant. And let's not forget the most low-key yet tasty of them all – the Norwegian-themed delicatessen, Mamsen's. It's a loving tribute to Torstein's mother, the hardworking Hagen family matriarch. It whips up waffles, berry jams and much more that follow the recipes of Mamsen herself, for Vikings are creative folk. Across Viking's river, ocean and expedition fleet, the Aquavit Terrace is revolutionary in both concept and design. The venue is a casual outdoor/indoor space where your destination is your dining room. Enjoy an exquisite alfresco dining experience while cruising past fascinating destinations. This has the most outdoor dining capacity on any river ship in Europe. The Restaurant, each ship's main dining venue serves regional dishes, Scandanavian specialities and always-available classics. Wines, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner. At each venue, you can tuck into high-quality cuisine that incorporates flavours, ingredients and dishes of your This page: Torstein Hagen at the Viking Longship christening ceremony in 2019, Basel, Switzerland; Viking Jupiter naming ceremony in 2020 in Los Angeles, USA 10 VIKING