Viking Honours Seven Travel Advisors as Godparents for New River Fleet
The luxury cruise line names seven new river vessels in a simultaneous ceremony across Europe and Egypt.
Viking has unveiled the names of its seven latest river cruise ships in a ceremony that linked four countries, celebrating key partnerships with travel industry leaders.
The newly named vessels will operate across Europe and Egypt. Four ships, the Viking Haki, Viking Halogi, Viking Sjofn, and Viking Rota, will sail popular routes along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers. The Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet (scheduled to begin service in 2027) will navigate the Nile, while the Viking Fjolvar will explore the Seine.
New Ships and Their Godparents: Viking
Each ship was christened by a godparent selected for their contributions to Viking’s growth. Shelby Steudle, President of Pavlus Travel, became godmother of the Viking Fjolvar, recognizing her two-decade partnership with the company. Michael Londregan, Senior Vice President of Global Markets at Virtuoso, served as godfather of the Viking Ptah, strengthening Viking’s presence in Australia and New Zealand.
Other honorees included Ealeen Wong of Expedia Group, who named the Viking Rota for her role in expanding Viking’s reach across North America. Michael Consoli, owner of Cruise Planners and Viking’s top-producing global travel advisor since 2010, became godfather of the Viking Sekhmet.
Carol Porter, co-owner of The Roaming Boomers, and Carol Shaddix, owner of Imagine Going There Travel, were recognized for their leadership within the Virtuoso network. Danielle Galloway of Flight Centre Travel Group named the Viking Sjofn, reflecting her work in establishing Viking as a top cruise line within the company’s Travel Associates brand.
A Ceremony Rooted in Tradition
Viking’s event highlighted the company’s nearly 30-year history of connecting travelers with iconic waterways. Leah Talactac, President and CEO, emphasized the role of rivers in exploration, stating that Viking continues this legacy by introducing guests to remarkable destinations. The ceremony also honored the maritime tradition of ship naming, with godparents offering blessings for the safety of future passengers and crew.
The celebration took place in Amsterdam, where the Viking Rota and Viking Haki were docked. The Viking Fjolvar was stationed in Les Andelys, France, while the Viking Halogi and Viking Sjofn were in Rostock, Germany. The Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet were located in Luxor, Egypt, completing the global event.
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