More ‘Downton Abbey’ from Viking Cruises

As a longtime sponsor of MASTERPIECE, Viking Cruises has been somewhat synonymous with the hit British TV show “Downton Abbey.” The line will continue the trend as a presenting sponsor of Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, currently running in New York City through April 9, 2018.

“Our guests are curious explorers who enjoy being immersed in the cultures of the world, and many of them first learned about Viking and our destination-focused small ship cruises while watching Downton Abbey,” said Richard Marnell, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Viking, in a press release.

“We are pleased to partner with this enriching new exhibition as a natural extension of our longstanding relationship with MASTERPIECE, Highclere Castle and the Carnarvon family.”

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Besides giving patrons a deeper dive into the television program, the exhibit will present the history, fashion and culture of post-Edwardian England. The first immersive experience of its kind was created by NBCUniversal International Studios.

Featured will be the lives of the Crawleys and their servants as well as the actors’ and actresses’ costumes—over 50 total on display. Visitors will even be able to walk through some sets such as Mrs. Patmore’s kitchen, the servants’ quarters, the family dining room and Lady Mary’s bedroom.

"We are delighted that Viking has chosen to extend its long running partnership with the Downton Abbey brand via our new touring exhibition,” said Dominic Burns, Senior Vice President of Brand Management for NBCUniversal International Studios, in the release.

“Viking's commitment to excellence and quality of service is perfectly aligned with the experience that we hope to deliver to our visitors. The strong association between the two brands will be further enhanced during our stay in New York.”

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In New York City, the exhibit will be located at 218 W 57th Street (between Broadway and 7th Ave) with opening hours from 10am to 8pm.

For those who can’t make it to the Big Apple, the experience will hit the road for other U.S. locations to be revealed in the future. The “At Home at Highclere: Entertaining at the Real Downton Abbey” book is also available to buy on Amazon. In the volume, Lady Fiona Carnarvon shares family recipes and stories and means to properly entertain English country house style.

Viking Senior Vice President Karine Hagen and her friends, (the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon; owners of Highclere Castle), even developed an opportunity for the line’s guests to visit the site: An exclusive three-day Oxford & Highclere Castle experience is available as a Privileged Access pre- or post-cruise extension to the brand’s river and ocean itineraries.

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Lady Carnarvon added, in the release, “Through my long friendship with Karine, I am delighted to welcome Viking guests here for special tours, and I hope to meet many more of them in the future.”

Viking has been a national sponsor of MASTERPIECE since 2011 and is a current and past collaborator with the further likes of Highclere Castle itself, National Geographic and its scripted series “Genius,” the Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Hollywood Bowl, The Metropolitan Opera, BBC, Oslo’s the Munch Museum, St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre and more.

The line is also now offering U.S. residents a cruise booking special through November 30, 2017. Travelers can enjoy 2-for-1 rates on certain 2017 and 2018 ocean and river itineraries and receive extra savings on international flights.

For more information, contact a travel agent or call 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464).

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