A proud moment for Travel Associates: Danielle Galloway names the Viking Sjofn
Danielle Galloway, Flight Centre Travel Group’s Global Managing Director of Luxury & Independent Brands, has officially named the Viking Sjofn as the ship’s godmother at a special ceremony in Amsterdam on 15 October.
The new Longship takes her name from Sjöfn, the Norse goddess of love and romance, who was said in Norse mythology to encourage affection and guide people towards meaningful bonds - a theme that runs through Danielle's leadership and career. Over 26 years at Flight Centre Travel Group, Danielle has nurtured connections across the travel industry, with travel advisors, trusted partners and the teams within our luxury and independent brands. Her appointment as godmother reflects a career built on the same idea the ship is named for.
At least one advisor in each of our offices across Australia and New Zealand has experienced a Viking ocean, river or expedition voyage firsthand, a measure of the long-standing partnership Danielle has helped to build. Her place in the cruise line's history as its first Australian godmother is something everyone at Travel Associates, and across Flight Centre Travel Group's luxury and independent brands, is proud to celebrate.
The joint naming ceremony welcomed seven new river ships to Viking’s fleet. Guests gathered on the Amsterdam waterfront, with the Viking Rota and the Viking Haki moored alongside, while live video linked the celebrations with five more vessels (including Danielle's Viking Sjofn) in Egypt, France and Germany.
Each ship’s godparent was chosen from Viking’s longstanding travel advisor partners, including fellow Australian Michael Londregan, godfather of the Viking Ptah.
During the ceremony Danielle formally named theViking Sjofn, commenting:
"It’s an absolute honour of a lifetime to be the first Australian godmother of a Viking river ship. Ships don’t just carry people, ships carry dreams, and today, she has made my dreams come true, and she will make many passengers and crew have their dreams come true on a lifetime of travel on the seas ahead.”
A bottle of Norwegian aquavit was released against the ship’s bow, continuing Viking’s naming tradition and its wish for good fortune on the voyages ahead.
The Viking Sjofn is one of the newest additions to Viking’s European river fleet, carrying 190 guests in 95 staterooms. Viking’s new Longships for 2025 and 2026 also feature hybrid propulsion with batteries and shore-power connections, designed to reduce reliance on fuel while in port.
Built for adventures along Europe’s rivers, the Viking Sjofn begins a new chapter with Danielle Galloway as her godmother - an Australian connection that will travel with her, wherever she sails.
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