Heather Viking Embarks on Epic Asia Executive Voyage

Heather Viking, who has become a Viking Ambassador for Viking Travel Leaders Network and a Diamond Super Star, is currently onboard the Viking Yi Dun for Viking’s exclusive Epic Asia Executive Voyage. This 22-day cruise, which passengers have the opportunity to enjoy as a luxury cruise, spans the culturally rich and historically significant destinations of Japan, Korea, and China travel. Adjunct to the cruise’s primary intention and for the purpose of educator enlightenment, the voyage is also intended as advisor education travel. Viking Yi Dun is culturally oriented Viking’s cruise ship which is a travel initiative dedicated to travel education and leadership to connect the continent’s North America and Asia to assist with the travel movement of professionals and educators for their intended purposes. This trip is meant for the professional development of travel advisors, offering a personal approach.

Viking’s Epic Asia Executive Voyage presents a unique mission that parallels the one the U.S. delegation, led by President Trump, is engaged in with important rounds of trade talks and diplomacy in Asia. While political figures focus on the global economy and the geopolitics of Asia, cultural diplomats, like Heather Viking, emphasize the cultural side of diplomacy. This journey provides Heather with an opportunity to expand her knowledge of Asia, with the aim of promoting travel as a means of fostering inter-nation reconciliation. Heather explained that this tourism and cultural training coincides with President Trump’s Asia tour and expressed a desire for the goodwill and open dialogue to extend beyond the confines of conference rooms and embassies. She shared that she travels to this region with the hope of advocating for travel diplomacy and believes in the positive impact travel can have. Heather further expressed her wish that more Americans would explore this part of the world, as she feels that such travel could foster goodwill, open dialogue, and inspire more Americans to visit Asia.

This is the second time Heather participates in Viking’s Executive Learning Journey and this extraordinary voyage was made possible with the efforts of Mario Herrera, Viking’s Business Development Manager for California.

Earlier in the year, she had taken the executive voyage from Turkey to Athens, which had gone well, and subsequently, she was invited to the Asia voyage. This initiative primarily aims to further the professional skills of travel advisors by providing them an opportunity to travel and learn Viking’s offerings in various parts of the world. This will enable them to better design travel experiences for their clientele. Viking’s focus on advisor education and professional growth collaborates seamlessly with Heather’s love for travel, and her commitment to helping her clientele travel.

This was made possible because of efforts put in by Viking’s Business Development Manager for California, Mario Herrera, to extend this unique invitation for Heather’s second participation in Viking’s Executive Learning Journey.

Earlier this year, she experienced the Turkey to Athens executive voyage, which was a success and prompted her invitation for the Asia trip. This invitation was to Asia, and from here, she would join the Asia journey. The Asia journey was exclusive and aimed at increasing the professional knowledge of travel advisors. It does this by allowing them to visit different parts of the globe, while simultaneously learning more about Viking and the best ways to tailor Viking products for their clients. This merger of Viking’s urgent devotion to advisor education and professional growth, meets Heather’s love for travel and her commitment to teaching her clients.

One of the most respected individuals on the voyage was Michele Saegesser, Viking’s Vice President of Trade Development & Training. Saegesser, recognized for her significant influence in the travel industry over three decades, is well-known for her commitment to supporting travel advisors. Recently, she had been named the Godmother of the Viking Honir, further highlighting her lasting impact on Viking’s success and educational initiatives. Heather, who holds Michele in high regard, shared her gratitude for the chance to learn from such a visionary mentor. She expressed that it was inspiring to see Viking honor true leaders who shape the guest experience, rather than celebrity figures with no connection to the brand. Heather emphasized that this, to her, is the essence of loyalty, explaining that it’s the reason why advisors like herself have such strong faith in Viking.

The Viking Yi Dun, the ship that is currently hosting this Executive Voyage, is no ordinary vessel. Formerly known as the Viking Sun, it was built in 2017 by the renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. With a length of 745 feet and a gross tonnage of 47,800, the ship offers an intimate experience with only 930 guests on board. This smaller capacity allows Viking to access ports that larger cruise ships cannot, ensuring a more personalized and immersive travel experience. The ship’s Scandinavian-inspired design provides a serene atmosphere, and all staterooms feature private verandas, offering guests spectacular views of the destinations they are visiting. Guests onboard the Viking Yi Dun can enjoy destination-focused dining, a Nordic-inspired spa, and an array of enrichment activities designed to complement their cultural journey.

Viking Yi Dun Ship Specifications

Feature	Details
Length	745 feet (227.2 meters)
Beam	94 feet (28.8 meters)
Gross Tonnage	47,800 GT
Staterooms	465
Passenger Capacity	930
Year Built	2017
Builder	Fincantieri (Italy)
Flag	China
Onboard Experience	Scandinavian design, all-veranda staterooms, destination-focused dining, Nordic-inspired spa

The Epic Asia Executive Voyage is not just about exploring iconic landmarks; it’s also about deep cultural immersion. Heather and other advisors onboard will visit some of Asia’s most celebrated sites, such as Tokyo’s neon-lit streets, Kyoto’s tranquil temples, and the beaches of Busan. The voyage will culminate in post-journey tours to the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an and the Great Wall of China, ensuring that the experience provides a comprehensive look at Asia’s diverse history and culture. For Heather, this cultural exploration is vital to her work as a travel advisor, as it allows her to offer more informed and personalized recommendations to her clients.

Viking’s focus on empowering travel advisors is central to what sets the company apart in the luxury cruise market. Heather Viking acknowledged the company’s dedication to education and cultural exploration, emphasizing that the voyage was not just a trip but a clear reflection of the direction in which travel leadership is heading. She pointed out that Viking continues to enhance cultural exploration while providing its advisors with the necessary tools and knowledge to deliver exceptional experiences to travelers. For Heather, Viking’s commitment to “The Viking Way” — a philosophy that champions cultural exploration, expertise, and a global perspective — deeply aligns with her own values as a travel advisor.

The media interest surrounding Heather’s journey is also growing. Following her acclaimed 30-day Epic Europe Tour earlier in the year, Heather has become a recognized name in travel media. Her “Where in the World is Heather Viking?” updates, which combined personal travel insight with educational storytelling, captured the attention of audiences across the U.S. and Canada. Now, as the world turns its focus to Asia, Heather’s journey has sparked interest from producers of lifestyle and travel programs such as NBC’s TODAY Show, Travel + Leisure TV, Fox, and PBS. These programs have previously highlighted Heather’s work, and her latest journey is expected to inspire new features centered on U.S.–Asia tourism recovery and cultural exchange.

The Club Cruise agency, with which Heather is affiliated, is a full-service luxury cruise agency based in Northern California. Founded in 1991, the agency specializes in personalized, concierge-level planning for Viking River, Ocean, and Expedition voyages. As an authorized Viking partner and a member of Travel Leaders Network’s President’s Circle, Club Cruise continues to set the standard for high-touch cruise planning and travel expertise. Heather’s partnership with Club Cruise has allowed her to leverage her extensive knowledge of Viking’s offerings to curate unforgettable travel experiences for her clients.

Viking itself remains a global leader in experiential travel, with a fleet of over 100 ships that explore rivers, oceans, and continents across the globe. Known for its commitment to science, history, culture, and cuisine, Viking has earned more than 450 awards, including being ranked #1 for Rivers and Oceans by Condé Nast Traveler for five consecutive years. The company’s dedication to offering travelers immersive and meaningful experiences has solidified its position as one of the premier names in luxury cruising.

The Epic Asia Executive Voyage is a testament to Viking’s unwavering commitment to education, exploration, and cultural exchange. For Heather Viking, this journey represents the perfect opportunity to expand her own knowledge of Asia while simultaneously inspiring her clients and fellow travel advisors to embrace the power of travel as a tool for building bridges between cultures. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, experiences like this one will play an integral role in shaping the future of global travel. For Heather, it’s not just about visiting new destinations; it’s about gaining deeper insights that will enrich her work as a travel advisor and help others experience the world in a more meaningful way.

As Heather Viking continues her journey aboard the Viking Yi Dun, she is not only gaining invaluable experiences but also helping to shape the future of travel leadership and advisor education. Through her partnership with Viking and Club Cruise, Heather is leading the charge in a new era of travel—one that emphasizes cultural understanding, education, and the power of exploration to foster connections between people across the globe. With Viking’s continued commitment to its advisors and travelers, the future of luxury travel looks bright.

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