Viking Cruises is expanding its recruitment activities in Hungary as demand for skilled hospitality professionals continues to rise across Europe’s river cruise sector, the company tells the Budapest Business Journal.
The world’s leading river cruise company will hold in-person interviews in Budapest on Jan. 15, 2026, partnering with backup jobs agency s.r.o., a Central European specialist in cruise recruitment. The interviews will cover a wide range of onboard hotel positions for the 2026 season.
Viking operates more than 80 vessels on Europe’s rivers, including its Viking Longships, and depends on highly trained hospitality teams to serve international guests. Hungary has become one of the company’s most important sourcing markets in recent years.
According to backup jobs agency, Hungarian candidates are valued for their service culture, reliability and strong English skills.
“Hungary has developed into one of the most valuable recruitment markets for river cruise hospitality,” says Stefan Liebig, founder of backup jobs agency s.r.o. “Hungarian professionals bring authenticity, empathy, and a genuine understanding of guest experience. International passengers feel this immediately—and it enhances the reputation of the entire industry.”
As European tourism continues to recover and expand, competition for skilled cruise professionals is increasing. For many Hungarians, river cruising offers an international career path that remains geographically close to home, with frequent routes through Budapest and other Danube ports.
