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Sky News AU
16-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Viking unveils spectacular Indian river voyage featuring spa, open-air skydeck, with stops at the Taj Mahal, Old Delhi, Jaipur
The award-winning Viking cruise company has offered a Wonders of India itinerary that includes stops at world heritage sites like the Taj Mahal, Old Delhi and Jaipur's ornate Palace of Winds. Viking's first river voyages in India will begin in 2027 aboard Viking Brahmaputra, with stops along the Brahmaputra River. Viking Brahmaputra will host 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms, said Viking chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen. 'Featuring our signature Scandinavian design for which Viking is known, all staterooms and suites will have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a veranda,' he said. Guests on the three-deck vessel will also enjoy a range of amenities, including a spa and fitness centre and an open-air sky bar on the upper deck. The ship will sail between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat in the northeastern state of Assam. In addition to an eight-day river voyage, the itinerary includes a fully guided land program with overnights in Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, Mr Hagen said. Travellers will be immersed in India's cultural treasures and may visit as many as 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guests will explore India's so-called Golden Triangle, a tourist circuit in India that connects the national capital, New Delhi, with Agra and Jaipur. 'While sailing the Brahmaputra River, guests will see Guwahati's temple, encounter the thriving villages along its banks, search for the one-horned rhinos and buffalo of Kaziranga National Park and discover the cultures of Majuli, one of the world's largest river islands,' Mr Hagen said. 'In recent years, our guests have particularly enjoyed visiting Indian ports on our ocean itineraries. We are now delighted to introduce a new way for curious travellers to explore the heart of this phenomenal country, in-depth and in Viking comfort.' Viking also offers fully guided side excursions to Delhi, Dubai, Kathmandu, Cochin and Mumbai. It's been a busy month for Hagen with the launch of a new ocean-going ship, the Viking Vesta with 499 staterooms for up to 998 guests. It will cruise the Western Mediterranean, including stops in Barcelona, Rome, Monaco, and Florence. The ship will also sail in Scandinavia and British Isles waters with likely stops at Stockholm, Bergen, and London. Viking has also taken possession of a new 'longship' to cruise the French waterways. The Viking Nerthus to carry 168 guests was built at Meyer's Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock Warnemunde in Germany. She will join the fleet of state-of-the-art sister ships on the Seine River for the eight-day Paris and the Heart of Normandy cruise and the eight-day Christmastime in Paris and Normandy itinerary. 'France continues to be a destination of great interest for our guests, and with the arrival of our newest ship on the Seine River, we look forward to introducing even more curious travellers to the region's rich history and cultural treasures,' Mr Hagen said. Torstein Hagen is perhaps the most interesting cruise ship owner of them all. The 83-year-old Norwegian billionaire (his wealth is said to exceed US$13bn) started Viking Cruises in 1997, aged 54, with four riverboats in Russia. He was previously the chief executive of the Royal Viking cruise line. He was forced to step down in 1984 after a failed bid to buy the company. Mr Hagen has big ambitions. His order book is full and he says Viking will deliver 25 additional river ships by 2028 and nine additional ocean ships by 2030. By then, Viking will have 109 river ships in 2028 and 21 ocean and expedition ships in 2030. TRAVELLERS' TIP Rostock is the largest city in the German state of Mecklenburg and a tourism magnet. It is a university and port city known for its beautiful beaches and brick gothic architecture. Warnemünde is a seaside resort within the Rostock city boundaries. It sits by the mouth of the Warnow River where it meets the Baltic Sea and has a rich maritime history. It is a cruise ship port. Harbour cruises are also offered.
Business Wire
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Viking Announces New River Voyages in India
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Viking® ( (NYSE: VIK) today announced its first river voyages in India on the Viking Brahmaputra, a new 80-guest vessel designed specifically for the Brahmaputra River. Currently under construction and scheduled to debut in late 2027, the Viking Brahmaputra will set a new standard for modern river voyages in India. The ship will sail between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat in the northeastern state of Assam as part of Viking's new 15-day itinerary, Wonders of India. In addition to an eight-day river voyage, the itinerary includes a fully-guided land program with overnights in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. 'With its rich heritage, deep cultural traditions and fascinating natural wonders, India is a vast and vibrant country that has captured the imagination of explorers for centuries,' said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. 'In recent years, our guests have particularly enjoyed visiting Indian ports on our ocean itineraries. We are now delighted to introduce a new way for curious travelers to explore the heart of this phenomenal country, in-depth and in Viking comfort.' The Viking Brahmaputra The new Viking Brahmaputra will host 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms. Featuring the signature Scandinavian design for which Viking is known, all staterooms and suites will have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a veranda. Guests on the three-deck Viking Brahmaputra will also enjoy a range of amenities, including a Spa & Fitness Center and an open-air Sky Bar on the Upper Deck. Wonders of India The 15-day Wonders of India itinerary program will operate roundtrip from Delhi, with hotel stays in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur that bracket an eight-day Brahmaputra River voyage, sailing east or west, respectively. With 13 included tours, guests will be immersed in India's cultural treasures and will have the opportunity to experience as many as 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guests will delve into the rich history of India's Golden Triangle, exploring Agra's fabled Taj Mahal, strolling through Old Delhi's winding streets and glimpsing Jaipur's ornate Palace of Winds. While sailing the Brahmaputra River, guests will see Guwahati's temple, encounter the thriving villages along its banks, search for the one-horned rhinos and buffalos of Kaziranga National Park and discover the cultures of Majuli, one of the world's largest river islands. For additional immersion opportunities, Viking is also offering a variety of new pre and post land extensions for Wonders of India, including Delhi (two nights), Dubai (three nights; fully guided), Kathmandu (four nights; fully guided) and Cochin & Mumbai (five nights; fully guided). Booking Details From now through July 31, 2025, Viking is offering North American travelers savings of up to $5,000 per couple plus airfare from $999, with a $25 deposit, on Wonders of India. Call Viking toll free at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or contact a travel advisor for booking details. Media Assets For more information about Viking, or for images and b-roll, please contact vikingpr@ About Viking Viking (NYSE: VIK) was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2023 and 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a 'World's Best' for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit For Viking's award-winning enrichment channel, visit
