Viking Cruises on Tuesday announced it has expanded its portfolio of partnerships with premier cultural institutions, with a summer season of events around the country. Viking has signed on to sponsor the United States tour of the acclaimed English boys choir, Libera, and the Ballet Sun Valley international festival this summer. The company has also extended its sponsorship of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl for the fifth consecutive season.

These new partnerships build on Viking’s commitment to drive cultural insight and personal enrichment, with current partners that include National Geographic’s “Genius,” PBS’ Masterpiece, TED, The Metropolitan Opera, BBC, Highclere Castle, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Oslo’s Munch Museum and St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, among others. 

“Viking’s commitment to cultural exploration extends far beyond the walls of our ships,” said Karine Hagen, senior vice president of Viking Cruises. “One of the best ways to explore a destination – whether at home or abroad – is through its music and cultural institutions. We are proud to support world renowned organizations, such as the Libera Boys Choir, Ballet Sun Valley and The Los Angeles Philharmonic, that align with our goal to create special connections between travelers and the cultures of the world.”

Three key cultural additions

Celebrating 20 years of innovation and growth in 2017, Viking’s summer of cultural programming arrives on the heels of high acclaim for its immersive destination-focused offerings, having recently been named a #1 Ocean Cruise Line and one of the Best River Cruise Lines by Travel + Leisure readers in the 2017 World’s Best Awards. Continuing its commitment to cultural exploration both onboard and off board, Viking’s summer sponsorships include:

• Libera Boys Choir U.S. Tour: In celebration of their new album "Hope," the acclaimed English boys choir that participated in the 2016 christening of Viking Sea in London, is currently on a Viking-sponsored five-city U.S. tour. Three-time Classical BRIT nominees, LIBERA is among the top selling classical artists worldwide in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, and their work holds a place alongside major artists such as Bocelli. Viking Founder and Chairman Torstein Hagen, a supporter of classical music in its many forms, and a group of Viking colleagues from its headquarters, recently attended the choir’s performance in Westlake Village, Calif. For more information, visit www.libera.org.uk.
• Ballet Sun Valley Summer Festival, featuring Xander Parish: Viking is the lead sponsor of the Ballet Sun Valley international festival, which runs August 21-24 and features dancers from six of the world’s leading ballet companies, including the American Ballet Theatre and London’s Royal Ballet. This unique festival was curated by Sun Valley-native and American Ballet Theatre dancer, Isabella Boylston, and will showcase a world premiere by emerging choreographer Gemma Bond, whose piece was inspired by the solar eclipse happening the day before the first performance. The one-night only world premiere on August 24 will feature video design by Kate Duhamel and a live orchestra under the direction of Maestro Martin West. Xander Parish, a close friend to Viking – and the first Briton to be promoted to principal dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet – will be performing in several “Mixed Repertoire” performances during Ballet Sun Valley. The historic Mariinsky Theatre, upon whose stages have debuted the masterpieces of such great composers as Peter Tchaikovsky, is home to the world-renowned Mariinsky Ballet, Opera and Orchestra. Guests on Viking’s river cruises through Russia have for years enjoyed onboard performances by Mariinsky singers through Viking’s Privileged Access program—and now many of Viking’s ocean cruises also feature similar performances. For more information on Ballet Sun Valley, visit www.balletsunvalley.com.
• Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl: For the fifth consecutive year, Viking is sponsoring six Los Angeles Philharmonic concerts at their historic summer home, The Hollywood Bowl. The Viking concert series, beginning August 10, features music by European composers whose home countries are destinations on many of Viking’s river and ocean cruise itineraries, including Antonio Vivaldi (Italy), Pyotr Tchaikovsky (Russia), Wolfgang Mozart (Austria), Ludwig van Beethoven (Germany), and Johann Sebastian Bach (Germany). For more information, visit www.laphil.com.

The Viking difference

Designed for discerning travelers with interests in history, art, music and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests the “thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. The Viking difference provides guests with extraordinarily well-designed cruises that facilitate engagement with other guests and with the cultures of the world. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destinations, with more time in port and more overnights. On board, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light. With the most al fresco dining on the rivers and at sea, featuring regional cuisines and always-available American classics, Viking’s guests can truly dine in their destination. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences onshore and onboard. And only The Viking Way brings guests itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences.

In addition, "Viking Inclusive Value" provides a small ship experience and no nickel-and-diming – with every cruise fare including an exterior stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; Wi-Fi; and coffee, tea and bottled water available 24 hours a day. Viking’s ocean guests also enjoy additional complimentary amenities, including: dining in alternative restaurants, self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service.     

— from Cruiseable news services