by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 10:45 AM ET, Thu May 14, 2026
Leah Talactac is replacing Torstein Hagen as chief executive officer of Viking, the company he founded nearly 30 years ago. Hagen will become the brand’s executive chairman, with a focus on long-term strategy, while also continuing to serve as chairman of Viking’s board of directors.
Talactac has served as Viking’s president and chief financial officer since January 2025, and has been a member of the company’s executive team since 2006. She’ll retain the president title in her new role. Meanwhile, Linh Banh will replace Talactac as chief financial officer.
“This leadership transition reflects the strength and depth of Viking’s management team and the succession planning we have built over many years,” says Hagen. “Leah’s appointment as CEO is a natural next step, and the Board and I have full confidence in her ability to lead Viking with the same continuity, discipline and vision that have guided us since Viking was founded. On behalf of the entire Viking family, we congratulate Leah, and I look forward to partnering closely with her and the Board as she guides Viking forward in this next chapter.”
The appointments were announced during Viking’s 2026 first quarter financial report. Total revenue increased 17.5 percent, gross margin increased 21.2 percent and adjusted gross margin increased 16.9 percent compared to the same period in 2025. Net yield was $596, an increase of 9.5 percent compared to the same period in 2025. And adjusted EBITDA was $104.8 million, an increase of 43.9 percent compared to the same period in 2025.
“2026 is off to a strong start and we are very pleased with our first‑quarter results,” says Hagen. “During the quarter, we also continued to make progress increasing our fleet and destination-focused offerings, further enhancing the experiences and value we offer our guests. As we look ahead, we remain focused on delivering on the strong demand while continuing to invest in our future and generate sustainable, profitable growth.”
As of May 3, Viking had sold 92 percent of its capacity passenger cruise days for its core products for the 2026 season and 38 percent for the 2027 season.
“Our booked positions for 2026 and 2027 demonstrate the resilience of our loyal customer base and the sustained demand for our product reflecting that travel remains a priority for our customers,” says Talactac. “These results also underscore the effectiveness of our strategic initiatives including an extended booking window, targeted direct marketing, a broader itinerary offering and a compelling value proposition.”
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