Photo courtesy of Viking Ocean Cruises
Following the success of Viking Ocean Cruises' first ship - the Viking Star - the line has taken delivery of the Viking Sea, celebrated the float our of the Viking Sky (pictured above) and announced even more.
The trio of 47,800-ton, 930-guest ships are just half of the current six officially on order, and the Viking Sea will be the next to launch on April 3, 2016. The two ships have been under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, and the Sea now awaits its upcoming christening on May 5 on the Thames River in Greenwich and its initial Baltic and Mediterranean season to follow.
"What a remarkable 12 months this has been, launching our first ocean ship, taking delivery of our second ship and preparing for the final outfitting of our third ship. I am proud of everyone at Viking and Fincantieri for their contributions," said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises. "As we take delivery of Viking Sea we now double Viking's ocean capacity, which demonstrates how enthusiastic our guests are for destination-focused cruises. We look forward to further increasing our presence next year and the years after that."
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The Sky will be next in line after touching water for the first time with a forthcoming delivery planned for early 2017. Serving as the third ship's madrina at the float out ceremony was Marit Barstad, sister of Hagen, welding commemorative coins under the ship's mast and releasing the floating waters. Next the ship will commence its final construction at the outfitting dock.
"It is a special day when a new ship meets water for the first time. This is our third ship to be floated out in three years, so it is indeed a proud moment for our entire Viking family," said Hagen. "Our first ship, Viking Star, has enjoyed great success in her maiden season. I look forward to her five sister ships experiencing the same respective success as they debut over the coming years."
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The latter three ships to come online have not yet been named but are scheduled to launch in late 2017, 2018 and 2020, to follow the template for affordable inclusive ocean cruising established by the Viking Star. The first award-winning ship will leave Europe for a season of North American and Caribbean sailings starting in September 2016, and as the fleet expands, it's nearly certain that Viking Ocean Cruises vessels will spread even farther across the globe.
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