New ships for Viking Ocean Cruises

In the last few years the growth of Viking Cruises has known no bounds. The company's expansion into ocean cruising represents the first new ocean line to launch in nearly a decade, with every ship offering oceanview accommodation and enriching itineraries. The 930-passenger ships are decorated in a fresh and Scandi-chic style that will be familiar to anyone who has travelled on a Viking river ship. The emphasis is on exploration and enrichment, with selected shore excursions included in the fare and an atmosphere on board that’s laid-back and unpretentious.

In March, Viking launched its fourth ocean ship - Viking Spirit - in a spectacular celebration on The Bund, in the heart of Shanghai. Guests and dignitaries were treated to a high-tech show and musical concert on the waterfront. On a giant wave-like screen built alongside the ship, a projected animation depicted the story of silk – the ancient trade that has formed a cultural bond between Norway and China. This completes the quartet – Viking Star, Viking Sea and Viking Star - plus three other similar ships to be delivered in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Or so we thought!

The crowds in Shanghai hadn’t even got over the feeling of pride at the first cruise ship ever to be named in this technological marvel of a city before the Viking press office released another announcement about a new agreement with the Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri that could see the delivery of six additional ocean ships by 2027. The ships are slated to be delivered between 2024 and 2027.

Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking said, “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. In our first two years of operation, we have been named the Number One Ocean Cruise Line, and this new order speaks to the positive response we have received from our guests. As we continue to expand our brand, we look forward to bringing guests to more destinations around the world and introducing them to the Viking way of exploration.”

Viking offers some of the best value at sea, with passengers enjoying a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call as well as many amenities included as part of their fare such as beer and wine with lunch and dinner; alternative restaurant dining; Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service. If you are tempted to see the world the Viking way call our cruise specialists now on 0808 256 6742.

Gary Buchanan