Viking Cruises river product has performed “better” in the UK market in light of the US failing to meet expectations.
Torstein Hagen said the US market had been below expectations and was “weaker than anticipated” for sailings this year. He claimed this was in light of Americans not wanting to travel to Europe following terror attacks in Paris and Brussels. Despite this he insisted the lines occupancy rates were still better than any competitors.
“2016 has been a bit weaker than we had anticipated (for river cruise sales) due to the events in Paris and Brussels. Everybody (all river lines) are feeling that, not only us.
“We believe this is a temporary phenomenon.
“For next year we will launch two more Long Ships but we have opinions for more in the future and we will see what develops.”
He went on to explain that the US market had been flat, while the UK was performing “a bit better”. He said the Australian market faced its own challenges over currency.
Hagen was speaking at the launch of the lines second ocean ship, Viking Sea, which became the largest ship ever christened in London last night.
The ship was christened in Greenwich by godmother Karine Hagen, senior Vice President of Viking Cruises.
The ocean side of the business was “exceeding expectation”, according to Hagen.
