Viking Launches Latest Ocean Ship in Major Milestone

In a significant milestone for Viking®, the company's newest ocean ship, Viking Vesta®, has been "floated out," marking the first time the vessel has touched water. This event is a crucial step in the construction process.

The ship is set to debut in July 2025 and will spend its inaugural season cruising the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.Viking Vesta, a small ship like all Viking's ocean vessels, has a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons and is equipped with 499 staterooms to accommodate up to 998 guests.

The float-out ceremony, a traditional maritime event, took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy. Viking's team initiated the flooding of the ship’s dock, signaling the start of the two-day process to set the ship afloat. Once afloat, Viking Vesta will be moved to an outfitting dock for the final stages of construction and interior completion.

Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, expressed his excitement, stating, "It is always a good day when a new ship meets water for the first time. Over the last decade, we have built the world’s most elegant small ocean ships together with Fincantieri. As we prepare to welcome the Viking Vesta next summer, as well as her identical sister ship, the Viking Vela, this fall, we look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to the Viking way of exploration."

Viking has built a reputation for creating tailored experiences for The Thinking Person, and this focused approach has resonated well with guests. The launch of Viking Vesta signifies the continuation of Viking’s commitment to offering luxurious and thoughtful travel experiences, setting the stage for a new chapter in their ocean-going adventures.