The most successful river cruise company ever, Viking River Cruise, made the announcement last week that they were planning to get into ocean cruising in 2015.. . .but it will be different, very different. This was reported by travel writer Tom Stieghorst.
Different is typical of the Chairman, Torstein Hagen. He really thinks outside of the box, and that’s probably why they have been so successful. He said that most of the bigger ocean cruise lines are trying too hard to be all things to all people. Viking Ocean, as it will be called, will be squarely aimed at couples age 55 and older and there will be no third or fourth berth cabin accommodations for families.
There will be no casino. He said the plan is to spend over 12 hours in each port, so there will be no time for gambling, and each cruise will have just one sea day.
How about this? There will be no formal nights; no need to wear a tie. Also there will be no surcharges in the ships specialty restaurants.
One of the things I liked about Chairman Hagen’s announcement was that there would be no “non-commissionable fees”. Those are fees that the major lines plug into their fares so that they don’t have to pay the travel agent who is promoting and selling their product. He had a great quote in his news conference; “We don’t nickel and dime customers, and we shouldn’t nickel and dime travel agents either”. Now you know why I like him!!
It will be very interesting to see the new build and to watch how they intend to market the product. . .as well as to see what their itineraries will be. If Viking Ocean is as successful as Viking River has been, then their innovations might prompt some of the major cruise lines to alter their product and sales.
We’ll just have to see what the future holds.
Speaking of the future of another kind. The American Queen Steamboat Company announced yesterday that they were going to resurrect the sailing of the Columbia and Snake Rivers starting in April, 2014. It will be the first time the cruises have been offered since 2008.
River cruising in the United States is becoming popular and you know, you don’t have to have a passport. You might want to consider contacting your professional and experienced travel agent at The Travel Factory who will be more than happy to help you manufacture the vacation of your dreams, so give us a call at 698-1421 or toll-free 800-760-4040. We’d love to serve as your guide through the many possibilities!!