Viking is currently hosting a group of Australian and New Zealand travel advisors on a 12-night famil from New York City to Montreal.
Showcasing the best of the coastal northeast corner of the USA and the southwest Maritime Provinces of Canada, the Eastern Seaboard Explorer voyage aboard Viking Mars has – so far – unlocked Boston, the Nova Scotia coast and Halifax. Currently, the group are sailing the Gulf of the St. Lawerence Seaway, which divides the US and Canada.
Their journey will continue onto Gaspe overnight, and has further stops planned in Saguenay and Quebec City, along with a couple more days ‘at sea’ on the river, before concluding in Montreal early next week.
Participants on the trip are from luxury specialist agencies, including Spencer Travel, Bicton Travel, Travel Associates, The Travel Studio and House of Travel (NZ). They were selected to join the sailing based on various criteria, including sales volumes, marketing efforts and incentives based offers, Shaun Kavanagh, Senior National Commercial Manager for Viking ANZ explained.
Viking Mars has a capacity of 930 passengers and features six suite and stateroom categories, including Viking’s ocean entry-level 25 square-metre Veranda and Deluxe Veranda staterooms, and the spacious 38 square-metre Penthouse Junior Suite.
Onboard, the Aussie and Kiwi advisors are sampling the high-end experiences, including the private dining at Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant, and the intimate Chef’s Table for private groups, which includes a multi-course tasting menu with paired wines.
Behind the scenes, the Viking experts also toured Viking Mars’ galley to learn some of the secrets behind the day-to-day preparation of Viking’s acclaimed dishes, and they toured the ship’s bridge meeting, with senior crew behind the operation and navigation of the 47,800 gross tonne ship.
On their down time, the advisors (and their plus ones) have the chance to chill in the bright and open Living Room, hang out at the Aquavit Terrace and take a dip in the infinity pool at Viking Mars’ stern overlooking the sea, enjoy a spa treatment at the Nordic Spa, relax in the Explorer’s Lounge and watch the day go by, or participate in one of the various lecturer’s held throughout the day in The Theater.
The group comprises Laura Garrard, Flight Centre Rockingham, Alison Haley, Bicton Travel; Melinda Ford, Spencer Travel; Kirra Palmer, Flight Centre Orange; Zoe Shaddock, Gannon & Turner Travel Associates; Michelle Yates, The Travel Studio; Karen Davies, House of Travel Milford; Belinda Fifield, House of Travel Christchurch and Antoinette Savery, Travel Associates Earl & Turner.
Escorting the famil are Viking’s own Colinne Bergado, Senior Marketing Manager and Emma Newton, Commercial Manager, WA/SA/NT.
Lead image: Viking’s Eastern Seaboard Explorer famil group of Australian and New Zealand travel advisors, Viking hosts and their plus ones.
