Today Viking Cruises announced that it will be the presenting sponsor of The Vikings Exhibition, which recently debuted in New York City’s Discovery Times Square.
Viking also sponsored this exhibition during its successful tenure at Chicago’s Field Museum in 2015.
The new deal builds on Viking’s commitment to supporting cultural programming around the world. Current and past partners include PBS’ Masterpiece, the Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Museum of Russian Art, and the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibition.
“Viking’s commitment to cultural exploration extends far beyond the walls of our ships,” said Richard Marnell, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Viking Cruises. “In addition to the obvious connection The Vikings Exhibition shares with our company name, both our guests and Discovery Times Square visitors seek to enrich their lives through history, culture, and exploration, so this partnership is a natural fit.”
With the largest display of Viking artifacts ever to visit North America, The Vikings Exhibition explores the rich Viking culture with more than 500 treasures, some never before seen outside of Scandinavia.
Visitors can marvel at full-scale model Viking ships, experience daily life of the Viking people with hands-on interactive activities, and learn about Norse mythology dating as far back as 750-1100 AD. The exhibition includes displays of exquisite jewelry, metalwork craftsmanship, and religious iconography such as the earliest known Scandinavian crucifix and striking silver pendants representing the pagan gods.
“We are thrilled to partner with Viking Cruises,” said James Sanna, President of Discovery Times Square. “Both The Vikings Exhibition and Viking Cruises present visitors with the rare opportunity to experience the rich history and culture of Scandinavia.”
The exhibition, which is now open, will run through September 2016 and shows visitors why – even 1,000 years later – Viking culture still captivates our imagination. For more information about The Vikings Exhibit or to purchase tickets, visit www.discoverytsx.com/vikings-the-exhibition.
Viking has expanded rapidly in recent years as a result to unprecedented demand for destination-focused cruises. Earlier this month, the company launched seven new river ships for 2016 and will launch its second ocean ship, the 930-guest Viking Sea, in April.
Homages to Viking history and Norse mythology are woven throughout Viking’s fleet of ships. Most of the company’s 59 river ships are named for Norse gods and heroes, such as Odin, Idun, Tor, Baldur and Bragi.
Viking’s ocean ships feature an onboard Viking Heritage Museum that showcases ship models and historic artifacts, and symbols of Norse mythology can be found in artwork throughout the ship’s public spaces. Some of the company’s cruise itineraries are also inspired by original Viking trade routes.
Guests on Viking’s Waterways of the Tsars river cruise learn about the original Viking explorers who plied the Russian waterways, and this September, ocean guests will sail across the North Atlantic from Bergen to Montreal on the In the Wake of the Vikings itinerary – which was developed in part to honor the most famous Viking explorer, Leif Eriksson, who set foot on North American soil 500 years before Columbus.