Viking promotes Leah Talactac as President, Hagen remains Chairman and CEO

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 30 January 2025 30 January 2025

Viking Holdings Ltd yesterday announced the appointment of Leah Talactac as President of the Company, effective immediately.

Talactac will continue to serve as Viking’s Chief Financial Officer while assuming her new responsibilities as President. She will continue to report directly to Torstein Hagen, who remains Chairman and CEO, and to the Board of Directors.

Talactac joined Viking in 2006 and has since then been an important member of the executive team. Talactac led Viking’s successful IPO in 2024, which was the largest of the year on the NYSE. As President, she will lead the Company’s executive committee – a team of executives with complementary skillsets who have worked together for over 15 years driving Viking’s outstanding performance leading up to and following the IPO.

“On behalf of the entire Viking family, I would like to congratulate Leah on her appointment as President,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “Since joining Viking in 2006, Leah has been instrumental in our success. With her long tenure and impressive financial acumen, she is well-positioned to help lead Viking in our next chapter.”

Viking remains focused on its well-defined long-term growth plans and committed to its strategy, continuing to be a global leader in experiential travel. As part of Viking’s commitment to continue to grow capacity, the Company also announced that it has ordered eight river ships for delivery in 2027 and 2028. This is in addition to the 16 river ships already committed to be delivered by 2026 and the nine additional ocean ships for delivery by 2030. With these orders, Viking will have 107 river ships in 2028 and 21 ocean and expedition ships in 2030.

Celebrity Cruises to launch river vacations with 10 new ships

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 28 January 2025 28 January 2025

Celebrity Cruises will usher in a new era in river cruising with Celebrity River Cruises, a premium river cruise vacation that will begin taking bookings this year. The brand has signed an initial order for 10 transformative ships that will take guests to historic cities on the world’s most iconic rivers, launching in Europe. Celebrity Cruises will bring the elevated design and sophistication of the Edge Series ocean ships to the river. When you combine that with the brand’s signature hospitality and unique itinerary offerings, Celebrity River Cruises will deliver unforgettable experiences – The Celebrity Way.

“We’re thrilled to announce our entry into the river cruise market through our Celebrity Cruises premium travel brand. Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best – innovate and elevate the river cruise experience as we meet the growing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to vacation on a river cruise, we know they will enjoy Celebrity’s elevated offering on the river. By leveraging our valuable loyalty programs across our three brands, we will deepen customer engagement and further our ability to keep guests within our ecosystem of vacation offerings. We are the best in the world at delivering the vacation of a lifetime, and this is the latest example of how we are building the capabilities to deliver a lifetime of vacations.”

Celebrity River Cruises is a natural extension of Celebrity’s premium offering that will bring its unique service-first approach to the river. Guests will get the keys to sail through the heart of culturally and historically significant cities, experience locally inspired cuisine and unique shore experiences – The Celebrity Way. With ships that will give guests 360 degrees of breathtaking views, every moment will be designed to immerse guests in the beauty of the journey.

“Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe,” added Laura Hodges Bethge, president, Celebrity Cruises. “We’ve redefined travel on the ocean with our best-in-class hospitality, award-winning food and beverage experiences, and elevated design and style. We are thrilled to bring these experiences to the river and combine them with authentic, destination-rich itineraries that will give our guests an experience unlike any other.”

MSC Cruises announces long term commitment to Port Canaveral

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 27 January 2025 27 January 2025

MSC Cruises unveiled plans today to offer more cruises from Port Canaveral, giving guests additional vacation options when sailing from the popular Florida port. The line’s fourth World Class ship will join the lineup at Port Canaveral for the Winter 2027-2028 season, offering year-round 7-night Caribbean itineraries. The ship, which has yet to be named, will join MSC World America as the company’s second World Class ship operating in North America.

In the meantime, MSC Grandiosa will begin offering year-round 7-night Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral starting with the Winter 2026-2027 season, building upon previously announced plans to deploy the ship at Port Canaveral for an inaugural season during Winter 2025-2026. MSC Seashore will continue to offer year-round 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Lynn Torrent, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, MSC Cruises USA, said: “Our commitment to Port Canaveral is stronger than ever, thanks to the incredible support from our partners there and the growing demand from our guests who love the port’s convenient location. Having ships dedicated to offering both short and 7-night cruises year-round will ensure we have the right options available no matter when someone wants to sail. We’re especially excited to bring a World Class ship to Port Canaveral, continuing our long-standing pledge to deploy our most modern and innovative ships in the Caribbean market.”

Capt. John Murray, CEO, Port Canaveral, said: “We are excited to have MSC Cruises expand their presence at Port Canaveral with the arrival of MSC Grandiosa and the deployment of their fourth World Class ship to homeport with us. The addition of these exceptional ships to our homeported fleet will add even more sailing options from Central Florida and reaffirm the cruise industry's confidence in our ability to consistently deliver a world-class guest experience.”

MSC Cruises’ World Class platform launched with MSC World Europa in 2022. In April, the company’s U.S. guests will discover a new world of cruising when the brand new MSC World America begins sailing 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami.

Holland America Line refreshes Rudi’s Sel de Mer specialty restaurant with Mediterranean bistro atmosphere

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 27 January 2025 27 January 2025

Holland America Line is updating Rudi’s Sel de Mer with a relaxed Mediterranean bistro feel aboard Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam. The intimate venue will feature casual but classic Mediterranean dishes that reflect the cuisine of regional countries including Italy, France, Spain and Greece. The new concept is rolling out in January and February 2025.

Holland America Line’s culinary team developed the refreshed concept and menu for Rudi’s Sel de Mer with oversight by Chef Rudi Sodamin, the restaurant’s namesake. Guests will savor vibrant, light cuisine bursting with flavors from the Mediterranean, highlighting traditional ingredients like olive oil, lemon, fresh vegetables and herbs. New table settings enhance the ambiance, creating a restaurant that blends the charm of coastal dining with modern simplicity.

“The new Mediterranean bistro concept allows us to diversify the menu at Rudi’s Sel de Mer and showcase the beautiful flavors and fresh ingredients that are synonymous with the region,” said Michael Stendebach, Holland America Line’s vice president of food, beverage and rooms divisions. “By refreshing the menu, we’re able to offer our guests a variety of dishes that appeal to a wide range of palettes, as well as some of the most popular dishes that have been mainstays on the menu from the start.”

The Rudi’s Sel de Mer dining experience is available for a $55 supplemental charge per person, or now included as a dining option with the “Have It All” premium cruise package.

Fresh starters: a prelude to culinary delight

The new Rudi’s Sel de Mer starter menu showcases a range of flavors that set the tone for the meal to follow. Examples include:
– Burrata and Prosciutto: with cherry tomatoes, thyme and olive oil
– Nicoise Salad: seared tuna with preserved lemon oil dressing
– Warm Garlic Shrimp: with olive oil, butter, lemon and basil
– Foie Gras Torchon: with fruit chutney and toasted baguette
– Roasted Baby Beets: with pomegranate, Labneh Salad and balsamic reduction
– Wild Mushroom Soup: with truffle oil, crème fraiche and scallion churro

Mediterranean-inspired mains

The refreshed menu allows diners – whether they’re meat lovers or vegetarians—to embark on a culinary journey, with Mediterranean-inspired mains celebrating fresh, vibrant flavors. Examples include:
– Greek Spiced Lamb Chops: with lemon chickpea puree, fava beans and garlic jus
– Fresh Spaghetti Fruits de Mer: with tomato, tiger prawns, crab, scallops, mussels and clams
– Bone-In Striploin: with chanterelles, confit potatoes tarragon and Shiraz reduction
– Seafood Cioppino: with crab, squid, shrimp, scallops, mussels, grouper and potatoes
– Duck Breast À L’Orange: with orange zest, caramelized orange segments and thyme
– Vegetable Bourguignonne: with mushrooms, carrots, shallots, red wine and misoceleriac purée
– Osso Bucco Ravioli: with cherry tomato, Stracciatella and basil

Decadent desserts provide a memorable finish

Guests at Rudi’s Sel de Mer can close out their meal with the ultimate in dessert decadence from a carefully curated selection that’s designed to delight and impress. Examples include:
– Chocolate Hazelnut Volcano: with raspberries and Frangelico cream
– Salted Caramel St. Honoré: with vanilla puff pastry, Choux paste and chantilly
– Floating Island: chocolate crème Anglaise with toasted pistachios
– Warm Strawberry Tarte Tatin: with sugar puff pastry crust, caramel and crème fraiche
– Home-Made Sorbet/Gelato of the day
– Artisan Cheese served with walnut bread and fig chutney

Side dishes include bistro fries, celeriac mash, green beans in garlic oil, gratin potato, ratatouille and pilaf rice.