Viking Cruises Appoints First Female CEO in Historic Leadership Shift
Viking Holdings, a global leader in the cruise industry, recently announced a significant change in leadership. Founder Torstein Hagen is stepping down from his role as CEO to become Executive Chairman. Leah Talactac, a long-standing member of the Viking team since 2006 and the company’s former President and Chief Financial Officer, has been named the new President and CEO. This appointment makes her one of the few female CEOs in the cruise industry.
The announcement was made in conjunction with the release of Viking’s impressive first-quarter 2026 financial results. The company reported total revenues exceeding $1 billion, marking a 17.5% increase year-over-year. Furthermore, Viking is already 92% sold for the 2026 season and 38% booked for 2027, indicating a strong demand for its premium cruise products.
At 83, Hagen, who founded Viking in 1997 with just four river ships, has grown the company into a fleet of over 100 vessels. He will continue to focus on long-term strategy and chair the company’s Board of Directors. Talactac, on the other hand, was instrumental in Viking’s successful 2024 initial public offering, which was the largest IPO on the New York Stock Exchange that year. This leadership transition is a result of years of succession planning and positions Viking for continued growth. The company expects to take delivery of two ocean ships and nine river vessels during 2026.
Source: Maritime Executive