Viking is expanding its ocean-going fleet of cruise ships to 16 with a new order with Fincantieri that could see the delivery of six new ships by 2027, the cruise line reports. The agreement for the six additional ships, which will be delivered in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, is subject to specific conditions, Viking said.
In a written release, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen said that, as the line has developed its ocean-going fleet, it has focused on the destination.
This announcement comes just prior to the naming of Viking’s fourth ocean ship, Viking Sun, on March 8 in Shanghai. The ship is currently sailing Viking’s sold-out 141-day World Cruise from Miami to London, and its stop in Shanghai will mark the first time one of Viking’s ocean ships has called in China. Viking Sun will also be the first-ever cruise ship to be named in Shanghai, Viking said.
Classified as “small ships,” Viking’s all-veranda ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, have 465 staterooms and host 930 guests. Viking Sun is the newest addition to Viking’s ocean fleet, which also includes Viking Star, Viking Sea and Viking Sky. Viking will welcome two more sibling ships in the next two years, including Viking Orion in June 2018. With the arrival of Viking Jupiter in 2019, Viking will be the largest small ship ocean cruise line, it said. Ten additional ships are now on order for delivery starting in 2021, which will bring Viking’s ocean fleet to 16 ships by 2027.
Related Stories
Booming Sales, "The Guest" Reign at Seatrade State of the Industry
Seatrade: What’s Ahead for Virgin Voyages, Ritz-Carlton Yachts
Seatrade Keynote: CLIA's D'Aoust on Sustainability, Environment
U.S. Embassy, Cruise Lines Issue Advisories After Mexico Ferry Explosion