WOODLAND HILLS, CA, May 16, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Viking announced today that longtime executive Leah Talactac has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, as founder Torstein Hagen transitions to the role of Executive Chairman.

The leadership transition marks a significant moment for one of the world's most influential cruise brands. Hagen, who founded Viking and helped redefine modern river cruising before expanding successfully into ocean and expedition cruising, will continue supporting the company's long-term vision and strategy as Executive Chairman.

Talactac joined Viking in 2006 and most recently served as President and Chief Financial Officer. Her appointment signals continuity at the top following years of global fleet expansion, operational growth, advisor engagement, product development, and Viking's successful evolution into a publicly traded company.

"Leah Talactac represents continuity, discipline, and deep institutional knowledge," said Heather Viking, founder of The Viking Store™ by Club Cruise™ and a longtime Viking-focused travel advisor. "She understands the operational side of the business, the financial side, and importantly the advisor and sales relationships that continue driving Viking's success worldwide."

Before being named President & CEO, Talactac most recently served as Viking's President and Chief Financial Officer after previously serving as Chief Financial Officer, helping oversee the company's financial strategy, operational expansion, and transition into the public markets during a major growth period for the brand.

Talactac holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Southern California's Leventhal School of Accounting and began her career with Ernst & Young in Los Angeles, focusing on public-company auditing and corporate finance.

Across the advisor community, the announcement is being viewed largely as a continuity-focused transition built on long-standing experience, strong internal leadership, and confidence in Viking's future direction.

"For advisors, leadership stability matters," Heather Viking said. "The return of Michele Saegesser as Vice President of Sales and National Accounts, combined with the strength of Viking's sales and management teams, has created tremendous confidence throughout the advisor community."

Heather Viking recently participated in Viking sales meetings, river cruise planning initiatives, and advisor-focused strategy discussions tied to Viking's growing shore excursion and extension programs in Europe. She said the atmosphere throughout the Viking advisor network remains highly energized.

"There is real excitement throughout the advisor side of the business right now," she added. "Ships are selling well, new ships continue entering the fleet, Viking's extension and shore-side programs are expanding, and advisors feel very connected to the company's leadership and direction."

The announcement was made alongside Viking's first-quarter 2026 financial results, reinforcing the company's current position of strength across its river, ocean, and expedition products.

Heather Viking said many travel advisors see Viking's next era as an opportunity to build on Hagen's legacy while expanding the brand's reach with new and returning guests.

"Torstein Hagen's legacy is already one of the great modern cruise industry stories," Heather Viking added. "He was the founder, builder, and visionary who helped reshape modern cruising. Advisors will certainly miss seeing him as the primary face of the company, but this feels like a thoughtful and well-planned passing of the helm."

As Viking's fleet continues to grow and more cruise companies increase their focus on river, ocean, and expedition travel, Heather Viking said the company's advisor relationships may become even more important in the years ahead.

"Viking has built tremendous capacity, loyalty, and brand trust," she said. "Now the opportunity is to keep matching the right travelers with the right Viking experience. That is where experienced advisors can help support the next chapter — by helping guests understand the differences between river, ocean, expedition, air, extensions, and the overall planning process."

Heather Viking said the transition also gives the advisor community a clear signal that Viking is not slowing down.

"This feels like the time for Viking to keep moving forward with confidence," she said. "Tor built the vision, the fleet, and the reputation. Leah now steps in with the financial discipline, operational knowledge, and leadership experience to help carry that vision into its next era."

Heather Viking said many advisors are optimistic about Viking's next chapter under Talactac's leadership.

"This is a brand many advisors deeply believe in," she said. "There is genuine excitement about the future. It almost feels like a champagne-toast moment for the next era of Viking, knowing the company remains in very capable hands moving forward."

For travelers considering Viking River, Ocean, or Expedition voyages, Heather Viking said now remains an ideal time to begin planning future travel with an experienced Viking-focused advisor.

"Let's have a short conversation to discover the right fit," Heather Viking said. "That is still the best way to match travelers with the right Viking experience and maximize the planning support available to them."

Viking Leadership Transition: Key Questions Travelers and Advisors Are Asking

Who is Leah Talactac?
Leah Talactac is Viking's newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. She joined Viking in 2006 and has held senior finance and executive leadership roles inside the company for nearly two decades. Before being named CEO, she served as President and Chief Financial Officer and previously served as Chief Financial Officer.

What is Leah Talactac's background?
Talactac holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Southern California's Leventhal School of Accounting. Before joining Viking, she worked at Ernst & Young LLP in Los Angeles, where her experience included public-company auditing and corporate finance.

Why does Leah Talactac's appointment matter?
For many advisors, Talactac's appointment represents continuity. She already understands Viking's financial model, operations, public-company responsibilities, sales structure, and long-term brand direction. That gives advisors and travelers confidence that Viking's next chapter is being led by someone who knows the company from the inside.

What happens to Torstein Hagen?
Torstein Hagen transitions from Chairman and CEO to Executive Chairman. He remains Chairman of Viking's Board of Directors and continues to support Viking's long-term vision and strategy while Leah Talactac assumes CEO leadership.

What is Torstein Hagen's legacy at Viking?
Hagen founded Viking in 1997 with four river ships in Russia and helped build the company into a global river, ocean, and expedition cruise brand. His vision helped reshape modern river cruising for English-speaking travelers and later expanded Viking into ocean and expedition voyages.

Viking timeline under Torstein Hagen:
1997 — Torstein Hagen founds Viking with four river ships.
2015 — Viking launches its ocean cruise division.
2022 — Viking expands further into expedition cruising.
2024 — Viking becomes publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
2026 — Leah Talactac becomes President & CEO; Torstein Hagen becomes Executive Chairman.

Is Karine Hagen still involved with Viking?
Public Viking materials identify Karine Hagen as Director and Executive Vice President, Product. She has served in varying capacities at Viking since its inception and is widely recognized as a public-facing cultural and brand voice for the company.

What does this mean for travelers?
For travelers, the transition suggests stability rather than disruption. Viking's river, ocean, and expedition cruise programs remain active, demand remains strong, and the company continues expanding itineraries, ships, and extension options. Travelers should still focus on choosing the right ship, itinerary, cabin, air plan, and pre- or post-cruise extension.

What does this mean for travel advisors?
For advisors, Viking's leadership transition reinforces the importance of experienced planning support. As Viking grows and more travelers compare river, ocean, and expedition options, advisors can help clients understand timing, value, air coordination, extensions, and the right overall fit.

Heather Viking's advisor perspective:
"This appears to be a stable and confidence-building transition," said Heather Viking, founder of The Viking Store™ by Club Cruise™. "Torstein Hagen built the vision, the fleet, and the reputation. Leah Talactac now steps in with deep operational and financial experience at a time when Viking is positioned for its next era of growth."

Planning note for travelers:
Travelers considering Viking River, Ocean, or Expedition voyages should begin with a focused planning conversation to compare itineraries, sailing seasons, air options, extensions, and available benefits.

"Let's have a short conversation to discover the right fit," Heather Viking said. "That is still the best way to maximize the overall Viking experience."

About Viking

Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Out-going, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers' Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a "World's Best" by Travel + Leisure—no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com Heather Viking is the founder of the Viking Help Center inside The Viking Store™ by Club Cruise™ 1-800-CLUB-SEA and serves as a Viking Master Advisor specializing in Viking River, Ocean, and Expedition cruise planning. Viking® is a registered trademark. Heather Viking and Club Cruise™ are independent partners.

About Club Cruise™

Club Cruise™ is a California-based luxury cruise and travel agency approaching its 35th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1991, Club Cruise™ specializes in customized cruise and travel planning for river, ocean, expedition, luxury, and group travelers. The agency supports clients with cruise selection, air coordination, pre- and post-cruise hotels, transfers, travel protection guidance, and concierge-style planning from the first conversation through welcome home.

Club Cruise™ is also home to The Viking Store™ by Club Cruise™, a dedicated planning resource for travelers exploring Viking River, Ocean, and Expedition voyages.

About Heather Viking

Heather Viking is the founder of The Viking Store™ by Club Cruise™ and a Viking Master Advisor specializing in Viking River, Ocean, and Expedition cruise planning. Known for her destination-focused approach and deep knowledge of Viking itineraries, extensions, air options, and client planning needs, Heather Viking helps travelers compare the right Viking experience for their travel style, schedule, and goals.

Her signature planning approach begins with a short conversation to discover the right fit, helping travelers understand the differences between Viking River, Ocean, and Expedition voyages while maximizing the planning support available through Club Cruise™.

Viking® is a registered trademark. Club Cruise™ is an independent partner.

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