Viking courts Japanese market with dedicated cruises, stronger trade presence

At January events for the trade, Viking unveiled six weeklong cruises round-trip Kobe starting in November, and more than a dozen primarily weeklong cruises in spring and fall 2025 sailing from Kobe and Yokohama.

More options for Japanese cruisers

Viking adds another upscale option for the Japanese market, joining Mitsui Ocean Cruises (to expand with the addition of the former Seabourn Odyssey late this year and planning newbuilds) and NYK Cruises (which is building Asuka III for 2025 launch), plus international brands like MSC Cruises, with a big-ship presence, and Princess Cruises.

'This is a good thing for Japanese cruising as a rising tide lifts all boats,' a Japan cruise expert not associated with Viking told Seatrade Cruise News.

Trey Hickey on the team

Viking has also introduced travel partners in Asia to a new contact working with the regional team, Trey Hickey. He is the former SVP international for Princess Cruises and Carnival plc who represented Carnival China and served as president of Carnival Japan until May 2020.

Trey Hickey

Requests to Viking's US public relations agency for information went unanswered.

Viking Yi Dun

This Japan initiative follows the news that Viking will open domestic China cruises on Viking Yi Dun to the international market. 

Viking Yi Dun was built in 2017 as the fourth in Viking's 930-passenger ocean series and transferred to China in 2021 as part of the company's joint venture with China Merchants Shekou.