Viking Ocean Cruises to Build Six New Ships by 2027
by Daniel McCarthy
The new vessels will follow the blueprint that the line used for its previous builds.
Viking Ocean Cruises has announced that it will build six more ships as part of a new agreement with shipbuilder Fincantieri.
The ships are all scheduled to enter service by 2027, with the first one joining the fleet in 2024. According to Viking, its total order of 16 ships with Fincantieri is “the highest-ever for a shipyard from a single owner.”
The ships will follow the blueprint that Viking Ocean has followed with its previous builds — all vessels will have all-veranda ocean staterooms with 465 total cabins, being able to hold up to 930 guests.
“When we launched our first ocean ship in 2015, we set out to reinvent ocean cruising. We focus on the destination, and we do not cram our ships with gimmicks and waterslides. Our understated, elegant, award-winning ships are designed to simply enable our guests to better explore their destination,” said Viking River Cruises Chairman Torstein Hagen, in a statement.
Viking’s next ship will hit the water in China this week, when Viking Sun is named during a ceremony on Mar. 8 in Shanghai. Sun will be Viking’s fourth ocean ship and will be the first one to sail in China.
Each ship in service now also features a covered pool and an infinity pool; Viking’s LivNordic Spa; and multiple dining choices, including The Restaurant, the World Café and the Chef’s Table. Guests receive complimentary beer and wine, WiFi, self-service laundry and 24-hour room service.
The all-inclusive pricing means travel agents make commissions on every product Viking offers, aside from gratuities — from government taxes and spa services to port charges and airfare.
For the details of the policies of all the major cruise lines, check out the TMR Cruise Report Card.
