Viking, the world’s leading river and ocean cruise line, has announced the delivery of its newest ocean ship, the Viking Saturn, and its official naming ceremony on June 6, 2023, in New York City by Ann Ziff, a philanthropist and Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera, one of Viking’s long-time cultural partners. The Viking Saturn is the latest addition to the company’s award-winning ocean fleet of identical sister ships, boasting a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, 465 staterooms hosting 930 guests, all veranda staterooms, Scandinavian design, light-filled public spaces, and abundant al fresco dining options.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, expressed his pride in the company’s newest sister ship and gratitude to Ann Ziff for serving as the godmother of the Viking Saturn, as she shares Viking’s commitment to arts and cultural enrichment. Ann Ziff also expressed her delight in serving as godmother of the Viking Saturn, emphasizing that there is no better way to explore and immerse oneself in the world than from the comfort of a Viking ship.
Ann Ziff, who has an eponymous fine jewellery brand, Tamsen Z, is a dedicated philanthropist focused on the arts, education, culture, and environmental conservation. She chairs the Metropolitan Opera and serves on several boards, including the Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts, Sing for Hope, the World Science Festival, and the Los Angeles Opera. She co-founded Smile Train, a non-profit organization that provides free cleft surgery and care to children in need, and was a board member at Maloto. This organization provides education and housing for abused and abandoned girls in Malawi.
Viking’s continued commitment to support enriching cultural programming includes exclusive partnerships and sponsorships with Ballet Sun Valley, BBC, Highclere Castle, Los Angeles Philharmonic, PBS’ MASTERPIECE, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Oslo’s Munch Museum, TED, and many others. On board Viking’s ocean ships, guests are treated to the Metropolitan Opera’s award-winning Live in HD series, including an exclusive viewing of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
Following the naming ceremony, the Viking Saturn will embark on its inaugural summer, sailing two new Viking voyages: Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada, between New York City and Reykjavik, and Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer, between Reykjavik and Bergen.
The delivery of the Viking Saturn coincides with Viking’s 25th anniversary, celebrating its most successful single month of bookings in January 2023, following recent years of solid growth. Since 2020, Viking has welcomed 17 new ships to its fleet, including eight new Viking Longships on the rivers of Europe, new purpose-built vessels on the Mekong, Nile, and Mississippi rivers, four new identical ocean ships, and two Polar Class expedition vessels.
Viking’s numerous accolades include being voted “Best Cruise Line” by Food & Wine readers in the publication’s inaugural Global Tastemakers Awards and dominating Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Awards in March 2023, receiving top honours in six categories, including “Best Overall Line,” “Best River Line,” and “Best Dining” for its ocean and expedition voyages. Moreover, Viking has been named both the #1 Ocean Line and #1 River Line by Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. This makes it the first line to earn #1 in its categories from both publications simultaneously.
Written by: Jill Walsh
