Viking Cruises Partners with National Geographic to Sponsor New “Genius” Series

Viking Continues Cultural Enrichment Partnership Focus with Anticipated Scripted Series Featuring Einstein and World’s Most Brilliant Innovators

Los Angeles (April 19, 2017) – Viking Cruises® (www.vikingcruises.com) today announced it has signed on to sponsor National Geographic’s first fully scripted global anthology series, “Genius,” which in its debut season tells the story of the 20th century’s most brilliant icon, Albert Einstein. The new premier partnership with National Geographic builds on Viking’s continued commitment to supporting enriching cultural programming, with current and past partnerships including PBS’ MASTERPIECE, the Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl, the Munch Museum and more. During the global premiere of Genius on April 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic, Viking will showcase a new brand campaign entitled “Time,” featuring Torstein Hagen, Founder and Chairman of Viking Cruises. The campaign debuts today and will roll-out across additional marketing channels throughout the show’s 10-part global event series on National Geographic.

“We are pleased to have a premier partner in National Geographic, to further bring enriching offerings through art, history and exploration to audiences around the world, while also continuing to showcase The Viking Way of travel,” said Torstein Hagen, Founder and Chairman of Viking Cruises.

Genius exemplifies National Geographic’s commitment to premium content, and we are thrilled that it is attracting premium partners like Viking,” said Brendan Ripp, Executive Vice President of Sales and Partnerships for National Geographic. “Viking’s commitment to expanding cultural horizons is truly inspiring, and we hope Genius is just the beginning of our joint efforts to bring consumers the type of content we both believe in.”

Dramatizing the stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators, season one of Genius reveals how Albert became Einstein, exploring his extraordinary professional achievements along with his volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships. The series is based on Walter Isaacson’s book “Einstein: His Life and Universe” and is executive produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, with Howard making his scripted television directorial debut with the first episode. Featuring Einstein’s lovers, enemies and fellow scientific luminaries, the all-star cast includes Geoffrey Rush (“The Kings Speech,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Shine”) as the celebrated titular scientist, Johnny Flynn (“Clouds of Sils Maria,” “Song One,” “Lovesick”) as Albert in the years before he rose to international acclaim and Emily Watson (“Theory of Everything,” “The Book Thief”) as his second wife — and first cousin — Elsa Einstein.

Throughout the series, audiences will experience key locations of Einstein’s life, including his time in Germany (Berlin, Munich, Würzburg, Heidelberg), Switzerland (Zurich, Basel) and Austria (Vienna, Salzburg), as well as his later years in the United States (New York City, Boston) – all of which are also destinations on Viking’s river and ocean cruise itineraries.

The Viking Difference
Designed for discerning travelers, Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. The Viking Difference is providing guests with extraordinarily well-designed cruises that bring them closer to the cultures of the world. Itineraries are designed for maximum time in port, often with late evenings or overnights, so guests can experience local culture at night or evening performances. And only The Viking Way brings guests itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences.

Celebrating 20 years of innovation and growth and on the heels of christening two new Viking Longships®, 2017 marks another year of impressive growth for Viking. The company launched its third ocean ship, Viking Sky®, in February and will add a fourth ocean ship, Viking Sun®, in October. By 2019, Viking will have a fleet of six ocean ships and will be the largest small ship ocean cruise line.

Booking Details
Through April 30, 2017, Viking is offering U.S. residents 2-for-1 cruise fare, plus up to free air on select popular 2017 and 2018 Viking river itineraries including Rhine Getaway, Grand European Tour and Danube Waltz. Also on select ocean itineraries, Viking is offering 2-for-1 cruise fare, plus up to free air on Panama & Central America; in addition, on Viking Homelands, guests also receive a choice of free beverage package, $400 shipboard credit, or prepaid onboard gratuities. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel agent.

Media Assets
For more information, images and b-roll for Viking Cruises, contact vikingpr@edelman.com.

About Viking Cruises
Viking Cruises, the leader in river and small ship ocean cruising, offers destination-focused itineraries designed for experienced travelers who have an interest in geography, culture and history. In its first year of operation, Viking Ocean Cruises was rated the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s 2016 “World’s Best” Awards, which came on the heels of being rated the highest of all cruise lines in the 2015 “World’s Best” Awards. Viking currently operates a fleet of 62 vessels, offering scenic cruising along the rivers and oceans of the Americas, Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, and Southeast Asia. By 2019 the company will operate six 930-guest ocean cruise ships and will sail itineraries in Scandinavia and the Baltic, the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, North America and the Caribbean. In addition to the Travel + Leisure honors, Viking has also been honored multiple times on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” as well as recognized by Cruise Critic as “Best Overall” Small-Mid size ship in the 2017 Cruisers’ Choice Awards, “Best River Cruise Line” and “Best River Itineraries,” with the entire Viking Longships® fleet being named “Best New River Ships” in the website’s Editors’ Picks Awards. For additional information, contact Viking Cruises at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or visit www.vikingcruises.com.

About National Geographic Partners LLC
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 129 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching over 730 million people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the non-profit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.