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To everyone in the Viking family, Happy 25th anniversary.

It is hard to believe that the little company we started on August 5th, 1997 has become the Viking of today.

But we knew even from those early days that we wanted Viking to be different.

We had a vision that travel could be more destination-focused and culturally enriching.

We wanted to offer experiences designed for the Thinking Person.

I like to say it all began with two guys and two mobile phones. 25 years ago, we invented the category of modern river voyages, and soon after that we introduced our concept on the waterways of Europe.

In 2012, we introduced our revolutionary Viking Longships, which have now become synonymous with European river voyages.

With the introduction of our small ship ocean voyages in 2015, we reinvented the category and brought the focus back to the destinations.

In the year since, we built an identical fleet of elegant all-veranda sister ships.

Now, we are perfecting expedition voyages and taking our guests even further - to some of the most pristine destinations on earth.

We have really become a global brand.

One Viking, with 10,000 employees, exploring 20 rivers, five oceans, five great lakes and all seven continents.

All in comfort.

Our approach has resonated with curious travelers, and we're very proud to have been voted the Worlds #1 both for oceans and rivers, by both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler.

No other cruise line has simultaneously earned #1 in its categories from both of these prestigious publications.

We still think of ourselves as a little company, but I must say that what we have managed to accomplish is remarkable.

And one thing is for sure - we did not get here alone.

Our success is thanks to those in our extended Viking family, our wonderful guests, and our dedicated staff.

To our guests, thank you for continuing to trust us with your travels.

We look forward to welcoming you back on board soon.

And to our staff, thank you for making Viking who we are.

The first 25 years have been good, but I feel we're just getting started.

This year we're taking delivery of our first expedition ship - the Viking Octantis, and we will soon welcome her sister ship - the Viking Polaris.

Our new vessel on the Mekong, the Viking Saigon, is currently sailing her first voyage.

Later this month, we will launch a new ship on the Nile - the Viking Osiris, and we will bring our modern river voyages to America for the first time with the arrival of the Viking Mississippi.

We have come really far in these 25 years.

But I suspect we have much further to go.

When you reach the top, there is really only one way to go - Onwards!

Viking.

Exploring the world in Comfort.