ENRICHMENT - Resident Historian

About the Company

Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused voyages on oceans, rivers and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person®. Viking has more than 250 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler and voted at the top of its categories by Travel + Leisure. No other cruise line has ever received these same honors by both publications at the same time.

Purpose of Position

Part of our Enrichment team on our Ocean vessels, the Viking Resident Historian is a non-paid public enrichment figure, delivering numerous high-level, historic, iconic presentations within our Theatre. Providing a context for learning, thinking about, and anticipating the commentary from the local guides within the ports of call. Addressing, but not limited to, World History and Ancient History. Alongside the lectures, smaller forum-type gatherings on destination-related topics are held within our smaller lounge. The Viking Resident Historian reports to the Hotel General Manager and Cruise Director.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a lecture program during a four to eight-week assignment on board one of Viking’s award-winning Ocean ships. Presentation material and associated teaching notes will be provided by Viking. They will be destination-related and cover historic events/periods/topics to provide guests with a broad understanding of the region.
• Hold 3-4 smaller forum-type gatherings on other related topics of your choice, to be agreed in advance with Viking.
• Prepare and deliver a number of destination-based lectures on selected, but not all, itineraries.
• Host weekly Office Hours sessions.
• Offer walking tours of the Bayeux Tapestry panels in the ship’s stairwells.
• Deliver scenic commentary where fitting.
• Accompany guests and support local guides on shore excursions.
• Host a table for guests at dinner a number of times.
• Be an ambassador for Viking.

Why Join Viking?

• Travel the world in style, sharing your love for travel and history on our beautiful Ocean ships, being part of the world’s best Enrichment program, as awarded by Cruise Critic two years in a row.
• On board our ship: Double cabin with large picture window, meals, drinks with meals, and unlimited Wi-Fi are all included.
• A travel companion can join you in your cabin.
• Travel to/from the ship provided by Viking for you and your travel companion, if you join us for over 18 nights.
• Full guest privileges.

Requirements

• Excellent and experienced public speaker able to deliver knowledgeably, confidently, and with passion.
• A master’s degree, preferably in a History-related subject.
• Computer literate, including knowledge of PowerPoint.
• Dedicated, flexible team player, with a positive and approachable personality.
• Professional appearance / well-groomed.
• Proactive in upholding Viking standards of excellence.
• Available to guests for questions, feedback, and general inquiries.
• Excellent English language skills in both writing and speech; foreign language proficiency a plus.
• Able to be on board for up to 4-8 weeks at a time, multiple times a year.
• A travel companion who can also bring something to the enrichment program is a plus.

Appearance Standards

Our roles will be subject to our appearance standards (including in relation to visible tattoos) and employees are expected to project a professional image at all times. Visible tattoos are not permitted. Tattoos concealed with make-up, skin-colored sleeves, or any covering other than the company uniform will still be considered visible for the purposes of our appearance standards. Exemptions to this may be considered on a case-by-case basis where appropriate. Tattoo removal may not result in successful employment and therefore is not encouraged and is the candidate’s personal decision.

Application Information

After submitting your CV (including a link to a video clip of you giving a lecture in the past 2 years) and a list of lectures you could deliver, we might ask you to introduce yourself with a personal video recording. We always encourage our candidates to take this step to add their personality to any written application. Please note, however, that this step is optional and not a mandatory part of the recruiting process.