Viking Holdings Ltd today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Leah Talactac, President and Chief Financial Officer, as Chief Executive Officer. Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO, has been appointed as Executive Chairman and will continue to serve as Chairman of Viking’s Board of Directors. The Company also announced that Linh Banh, Executive Vice President of Finance, has been appointed as CFO.
Since joining Viking in 2006, Talactac has been a key leader on the executive team. Alongside Hagen, she led Viking’s initial public offering in 2024, which was the largest offering on the NYSE that year, and she was appointed President in January 2025 while retaining her responsibilities as CFO. Starting today, Talactac will report to the Board of Directors and continue to lead Viking’s executive committee, a highly experienced group who have been integral to Viking’s sustained success. As Executive Chairman, Hagen will focus on long term strategy and continue to support Talactac in her role as CEO.
“This leadership transition reflects the strength and depth of Viking’s management team and the succession planning we have built over many years,” said Hagen. “Leah’s appointment as CEO is a natural next step, and the Board and I have full confidence in her ability to lead Viking with the same continuity, discipline and vision that have guided us since Viking was founded. On behalf of the entire Viking family, we congratulate Leah, and I look forward to partnering closely with her and the Board as she guides Viking forward in this next chapter.”
“I am honored by this appointment and deeply grateful for the trust of the Board and Tor,” said Talactac. “Tor and our entire executive team have built a phenomenal company over the last 29 years, and I am delighted to lead Viking as we continue to deliver meaningful experiences for our guests and execute our long-term strategy. I also want to take a moment to congratulate Linh on her new appointment as CFO. Linh is a trusted leader within Viking, and her financial stewardship will ensure a smooth transition.”
Today, the Company also reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, and provided an update on operating capacity and bookings.
Key highlights
– Total revenue was $1,053.7 million for the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
– Gross margin increased 21.2% and Adjusted Gross Margin increased 16.9% compared to the same period in 2025.
– Net Yield was $596, an increase of 9.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
– Adjusted EBITDA was $104.8 million, an increase of 43.9% compared to the same period in 2025.
– Diluted EPS was $(0.12) and Adjusted EPS was $(0.11).
– Net Leverage improved from 1.1x as of December 31, 2025 to 1.0x as of March 31, 2026.
– As of May 3, 2026, for its Core Products, Viking had sold 92% of its Capacity Passenger Cruise Days for the 2026 season and 38% of its Capacity Passenger Cruise Days for the 2027 season.
“2026 is off to a strong start and we are very pleased with our first‑quarter results. Total revenue for the quarter grew 17.5% driving a 43.9% year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDA, underscoring the demand for our product and our operational discipline,” said Hagen. “Moreover, we are already 92% booked for 2026 which positions us very well for the remainder of the year. During the quarter, we also continued to make progress increasing our fleet and destination-focused offerings, further enhancing the experiences and value we offer our guests. As we look ahead, we remain focused on delivering on the strong demand while continuing to invest in our future and generate sustainable, profitable growth.”
