Viking Cruises offers both river cruises and ocean cruises through two product lines, Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises. A global corporation headquartered in the United States with main operational headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, the company was established in 1997 by a Scandinavian and Dutch consortium led by Torstein Hagen. Initially the company purchased four Russian ships and provided a Russian river-cruise product to Europeans. The following year the company purchased additional ships and continued to cater to the European market. In 2000, the company expanded into the American market, establishing U.S. headquarters as Viking River Cruises in Los Angeles, California. Through rapid expansion, the purchase of KD River Cruise lines, and unprecedented new builds, the river cruise division grew to be the world’s largest river cruise line, and currently offers cruises along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. In May 2013, the company announced the launch of a new small-ship ocean cruising division, Viking Ocean Cruises, which began with the maiden season of Viking Star in spring of 2015, and features Baltic and Mediterranean itineraries. In 2016 and 2017, Viking Star will be joined by two equally elegant sister ships, Viking Sea and Viking Sky. Viking Cruises continues the Viking tradition of exploration along the world’s great waterways. The Board of Directors includes prominent investors and financial leaders with impressive credentials in cruising and shipping, and the company is led by Chairman Torstein Hagen, a native of Norway and one of the original founders of the company. Exploring the World in Comfort® Whether on river or ocean cruises, Viking Cruises offers itineraries that are destination focused and carefully crafted with a mix of cosmopolitan and smaller ports of interest. Viking Ocean Cruises itineraries are specifically designed to offer more time in port than competitors, including late evening stays and overnights to take advantage of night life in select ports. River cruise itineraries are similarly planned. All Viking cruises are priced to provide top consumer value by leveraging economies of scale and experienced management, and include such items as shore excursions and wine or beer with onboard meals. The company also ensures a focus on enrichment through shore excursions by local guides, regional foods, and Privileged Access for in-depth exploration of the destinations. All Viking cruises include the exclusive Viking Culture Curriculum program that brings history and culture to life through onboard enrichment lectures; language classes; hands-on cooking demonstrations and classes; and local entertainment to complement included shore excursions. A global corporation headquartered in the United States, Viking Cruises main operational headquarters are in Basel, Switzerland. Viking Cruises offers both river cruises and ocean cruises through two product lines, Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises.