Norwegian cruise line operator Viking will launch Chinese-language cruises in Northern Europe next year and expand its European river fleet serving Chinese travelers, betting on the growing demand in China for slower-paced and more immersive overseas holidays.
Viking China said the two ocean itineraries, which will begin operating in April, would be the cruise industry's first Northern European voyages designed specifically for Chinese-speaking guests.
The expansion follows the company's launch of Chinese-language Mediterranean cruises and comes as international cruise operators seek to tap a boom in China's outbound travel market, particularly among affluent consumers looking beyond conventional group tours.
"More than 100,000 Chinese guests have traveled with Viking, making China an important source market for our global fleet," Brendan Tansey, managing director of Viking China, said at an event in Shanghai, adding the company is confident in China's premium travel market.
The new routes comprise a 15-day voyage from Oslo to Stockholm, covering three Nordic capitals, Norwegian fjords, Berlin and destinations along historic Hanseatic trade routes, and a 14-day voyage from Lisbon to Oslo along Europe's Atlantic coast.
