A New Year’s Message from Viking Chairman & CEO Torstein Hagen

Editorial Summary

Viking Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen provides a retrospective on the company's achievements over the past year and outlines future objectives. He highlights significant fleet expansions, including the delivery of the Viking Vesta and the naming of nine new river ships, which brought the total fleet to over 100 vessels. Hagen notes the company's recent transition to a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange, emphasizing that its core values of kindness and honesty remain unchanged. The message also covers industry recognition, noting consecutive top rankings from Condé Nast Traveler and Travel and Leisure. Beyond maritime operations, Hagen discusses Viking's sponsorship of the Norway National Soccer Team Academy to support youth talent. Looking toward 2026 and 2027, he announces the addition of new longships, Nile vessels, and ocean ships, specifically mentioning the Viking Libra, which will utilize hydrogen fuel cells for zero-emission operations in Norwegian fjords. He concludes by noting strong booking trends and expressing a belief in the power of travel to foster cultural exchange and global kindness.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.