Viking Ocean Cruises Takes Delivery Of Viking Star

Viking Star

Marking the company's official arrival into the ocean cruise industry, Viking Ocean Cruises® has taken delivery of its first ship, Viking Star. The delivery ceremony took place on March 28 when the ship was delivered at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard outside of Venice, Italy. On April 11, Viking Star will set sail from Istanbul on her maiden voyage and make her way through the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic on her way to be officially christened on May 17 in Bergen, Norway.

"This has been a remarkable journey, and I am grateful to everyone at Viking and Fincantieri who has worked tirelessly to turn our vision into reality," said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises. "With Viking Star's maiden voyage and christening now within sight, we are ready to bring our destination-focused experiences to ocean cruising."

A "small ship" in size the all-veranda Viking Star has a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, boasts 465 cabins and will accommodate 930 passengers. It is engineered at a scale that allows direct access into most ports, so guests have an easy and efficient embarkation and debarkation. Light-filled with modern Scandinavian decor, the ship was designed by experienced nautical architects and engineers, including the same interior design team responsible for the award-winning fleet of Viking Longships®. Viking Star is one of three ocean cruise ships on order; the remaining two ships, Viking Sea and Viking Sky, are currently under construction.

Image Courtesy of Viking Ocean Cruises