A group of eight travel agents has just returned from sailing Viking’s popular 8-day Rhine Getaway river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, with the group among the first Australian agents to sail with Viking since 2019.
Hosted by Ramon Drew, Viking’s Commercial Manager for New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania, as well as Ethan Larkin, Senior Trade Marketing Executive at Viking, for many, this was their first overseas trip in as many years.
Viking appreciates how important it is for travel agents to be able to experience a product first-hand, giving them the confidence to talk about the product with inside knowledge and provide personal recommendations.
Debbie Eyers from Flight Centre Narellan said it was great to be back cruising after the last couple of years and the opportunity provided valuable insight into travelling overseas post-Covid. “Experiencing it first-hand makes it easier to explain to clients the whole process and because I have experienced it, clients are more at ease with what I am advising them,” Debbie Eyers said.
Cologne by Bicycle. Robert Thornberry – Signature Travel Orange, Ethan Larkin – Viking, Lisa Calabria – Capital Travel
Lynette Maria from Maria, Fellows and Turner Travel Associates was a first-time Viking cruiser and was grateful to be travelling again.
“The experience really opened my eyes to the differences between river cruising and how Viking sits amongst the best of them,” Lynette Maria said.
Agents enjoying a well-earned beverage on the Aquavit Terrace after a day of exploring.
The group travelled through four countries along the spectacular Rhine visiting historic cities and medieval towns offering a variety of authentic shore excursions immersing agents in the local way of life, with the Flavours of Alsace excursion in Strasbourg being a group highlight. “The shore tours made me feel like I was living like a local for the day. The guide was so knowledgeable yet relaxed,” said Tina Wheelock from Cruise Express.
Onboard Viking’s elegant Longships, agents were treated to destination-inspired cuisine as well as al-fresco wine and cheese tastings on the Aquavit Terrace – the only alfresco dining venue on the rivers.
Robert Thornberry and Prue McCarthy, Signature Travel; Tina Wheelock, Cruise Express overlooking Rüdesheim, Germany.
Viking is reminding agents they can still win one of 100 free 2022 Europe river self-famils. The first 100 agents to make two or more new twin share or single supplement reservations for any 2022 Viking Europe river cruise before 30 June will win a complimentary self-famil stateroom on a select 8-day Viking Europe river cruise this year.
Not many agents have had the opportunity to experience famils in the past few years, so Viking are thrilled to be back hosting agents again and we look forward to welcoming many more onto Viking ships throughout the rest of the year.
Main Image caption (from left to right):Ramon Drew – Viking, Vanessa Baxter – Going Global Narellan, Tina Wheelock – Cruise Express, Debbie Eyers – Flight Centre Narellan, Lisa Maddox – Spencer Travel, Robert Thornberry – Signature Travel Orange, Thea Bainbridge – Jamison Plaza Travel Associates, Lynette Maria from Maria, Fellowes and Turner Travel Associates, Ethan Larkin – Viking and Lisa Calabria from Capital Travel
