Viking Doubles Capacity for Second Season in the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes were once full of stories about brave viking warriors, and for the second year in a row, Viking Cruises will be bringing a double dose of those tales to the world’s largest freshwater system. With expanded capacity, Viking has ramped up their itineraries for the Great Lakes, providing curious explorers with a chance to experience legendary landscapes, vibrant culture, and thrilling destinations.

1. Viking Doubles Its Capacity for Second Season in Great Lakes

Viking Cruises announced that it has doubled its Great Lakes cruise capacity for its second season this summer. The company has added two additional ships to meet travelers’ growing demand for the gorgeous views of the Great Lakes, Canada and the St. Lawrence River regions.

Both newly added ships are the namesake Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, and offer guests a luxurious and intimate experience as they embark on their journey. They each feature a low-guest-to-crew-member ratio, 303 square foot suites, plus suites with private verandas, five stateroom categories, a spa and heated pool, as well as multiple onboard dining venues.

Access to the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River
Two new ships: Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris
Five different stateroom categories
290 square-foot suites
Spa, pool, and multiple dining options

Tourists can look forward to an unforgettable experience that takes them to some of the most beautiful destinations in the Great Lakes, including Toronto, Quebec City, and Detroit. The ships offer both overnight stays and multi-day itineraries, with plenty of land discovery options for everyone to explore.

2. Sailing Through the Storm: The Viking Experience in the Great Lakes

For centuries, the Great Lakes have been fascinating people with its majestic beauty and great breadth. The Vikings, the legendary seafarers, were among the first to explore the Great Lakes, and the challenges and perils they faced during their travels are still remembered today.

Exploring the Great Lakes meant daring to face its unpredictable waters and relentless surprise storms. Not to mention, crossing long distances of open water without modern navigational tools. But the Vikings were no strangers to challenges; they embraced them as part of the journey and never gave in to their fears. Steered by their strong sense of determination, the Vikings set sail into the unknown.

Crossing fog-laden waters and travelling for days on end in the stormy sea, the Vikings navigated the Great Lakes with great skill. With their knowledge and expertise in sailing, they were able to get around and explore more of the lake’s majestic beauty.
The Vikings were also adept at dealing with harsh weather conditions, and they made sure their boats were outfitted with supplies to last the entire journey. They took extra care to secure the boats during storms, ensuring they stayed afloat.
Vikings were renowned for their courage and resilience. When faced with hardships, they rose to the challenge and persevered to survive the treacherous journey. Through their sheer will and perseverance, they were able to sail through the Great Lakes and make it to their destination.

3. The Benefits of Expanded Viking Fleet on the Great Lakes

The expansion of Viking Fleet on the Great Lakes has brought many benefits to the region that are worth celebrating. Here are some of the top benefits:

Improved maritime industry: The Viking Fleet expansion has led to an increase in freight shipments, giving markets like the Great Lakes region a more reliable means to move goods. This has improved economic growth.
Tourist attractions: The Viking Fleet provides an opportunity for tourists to explore the Great Lakes through cruises and activities, bringing people and their wallets to the area.
Job creation: The expansion has created hundreds of jobs in the maritime industry, providing beneficial employment opportunities.

The benefits of Viking Fleet on the Great Lakes has not only improved regional maritime operations, but also the overall quality of life in the area. Taking a Viking Fleet cruise and enjoying the region’s natural beauty is an experience not to be missed. If you haven’t had the chance to explore the Great Lakes by Viking Fleet, what are you waiting for?

4. Taking It to the Next Level: Charting a Course for Viking’s Engagement in the Great Lakes

Taking Viking’s cargo ship business on the Great Lakes to the next level requires a strategy that is tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities. The first step to charting this course should be to understand the market and develop a clear vision for the long-term success.

The Great Lakes region has the highest shipping volumes of any inland waterway in the US, and is served by ports, vessels, and intermodal services that service the region’s business needs. Viking will need to survey the landscape and identify how their services and capabilities differentiate their proposition. Additionally, a core set of strengths and service offerings should be determined that can be leveraged to differentiate them from the competition. Some areas to be considered may include:

Price optimization. Determine the cost structure and pricing of different services such as short- and long-haul operations, and optimize them for competitive advantage.
Time efficiency. Analyze the large, interconnected network of shipping routes and identify routes and delivery schedules that optimize for time.
Onboard technology. Invest in modern technologies for tracking and monitoring vessels and other resources in real time.
Sustainability. Undertake initiatives to reduce emissions, fuel consumption and other environmental impacts.
Safety. Invest in safety procedures and certification to ensure vessels and personnel are compliant with regulations.

Once Viking has established a roadmap based on these considerations, they can move forward with implementing their strategy, and managing the processes to that end. From there, their aim should be to effectively capitalize on the opportunities in the Great Lakes region, and build a stable, successful cargo ship business.

As Viking’s second season in the Great Lakes comes to a close, they can look back on a successful voyage, having successfully doubled their capacity and welcomed countless eager adventurers onboard. It’s clear that Viking’s commitment to providing ever-growing cruising opportunities will continue to provide joy and exploration in the region for many years to come!