Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1544828
24 | Viking Explorer Society News HISTORY ON BOARD It is wonderful to tour a destination, to read the guidebooks and visit the museums, but to truly immerse yourself in the history of a place, a little expert knowledge can go a long way. Our focus on cultural enhancement has taken a step deeper into the history books with our Viking Resident Historian program, designed to provide an enhanced level of enrichment for all our guests on board our ocean ships via lectures, small-group seminars and history-themed dinner discussions. "Our guests are explorers—they are curious travellers who want to learn," explains Executive Vice President Karine Hagen, who leads the enrichment efforts at Viking. VIKING RESIDENT HISTORIANS The Viking Resident Historians® provide guests with a framework for understanding the major chapters in world history and they conduct seminar-style roundtables —smaller, more intimate forums where the Viking Resident Historian examines in-depth subjects related to their own area of specialisation as well as the particular areas of interest of the guests. Ensuring guests achieve the optimum knowledge they wish to receive when on their voyage, the Viking Resident Historians provide a history course as a refresher, which is supplemented by onboard guest lecturers who contribute their particular expertise (architecture, art, music, etc.) of the region. The responsibilities of Viking Resident Historians are comprehensive and varied. During each cruise itinerary, they present iconic lectures (examples in Europe and Scandinavia include "The Roman Empire"; "The Vikings"; and "The Hanseatic League"); lead focused discussions (such as "The Elgin Marbles"; and "Women of Exploration & Discovery"); and they are available for guest questions and interactions outside of lectures and "office hours" throughout the itinerary. FOR THE THINKING PERSON™ The Viking Resident Historian program is just one of the onboard cultural offerings that sets Viking apart—giving travellers immersive experiences on board and on shore, and Privileged Access experiences through exclusive partnerships, which deepen their connection with each destination. ICONIC LECTURES Explorers—The Age of Discovery The Bayeux Tapestry The Hanseatic League History of Navigation The Italian Renaissance The Venetian Republic How the Spice Trade Changed the World The Vikings Vikings on the Move