Viking Cruises has officially welcomed its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vesta, following a delivery ceremony at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in Italy. This marks another significant milestone for the luxury cruise line as it continues its expansion with a focus on elegant, small-ship cruising.

Classified as a small ship like all in the Viking Ocean fleet, Viking Vesta features 499 staterooms, accommodating up to 998 guests. She joins a growing fleet of award-winning ocean ships and is set to spend her inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, offering Viking’s signature cultural enrichment and destination-focused itineraries.

Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, said: “We are proud to welcome the Viking Vesta to our fleet of elegant, small sister ships. As we continue to expand around the world, we are pleased to offer curious travellers new options for exploring in Viking comfort. We look forward to welcoming guests on board the Viking Vesta during her inaugural season and in the years to come.”

Designed with sustainability and the future in mind, Viking Vesta can be retrofitted to incorporate next-generation green technologies. This includes systems similar to those planned for the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, which is already under construction and expected to launch in late 2026. Viking’s commitment to innovation continues with the Viking Astrea, also under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2027.

This latest addition comes as part of Viking’s long-term growth strategy. The company has plans to deliver 27 more river ships by 2028 and 10 additional ocean ships by 2031. By then, Viking expects to operate 111 river ships and 23 ocean and expedition ships.

Tags: , | Categories: Cruise Industry News, Cruise Ships, New Cruise Ships | Cruise Lines: Viking