Viking® has proudly announced a significant milestone in its fleet expansion with the float-out of its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vesta®. This major construction event marked the first time the vessel touched the water and signals the beginning of the final stages before her highly anticipated debut in July 2025.
Like all Viking ocean vessels, the Viking Vesta is classified as a small ship. However, it boasts an impressive gross tonnage of 54,300 tons. She features 499 luxurious staterooms and can accommodate up to 998 guests. Designed to offer a refined and immersive travel experience, the Viking Vesta will embark on maiden voyages through the enchanting waters of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
Pictured here is the Viking Vesta (front) with her sister ship, the Viking Vela (back), which will debut in 2025 and 2024. For more information, visit www.viking.com.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, expressed his enthusiasm for the milestone, 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 travellers to the Viking way of exploration.”
The float-out ceremony at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy, is a time-honoured maritime tradition. It signifies the transition of a ship into the final phase of construction. The event took place on July 4th at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time. During the ceremony, the Viking team cut a cord that allowed water to flow into the ship’s building dock, beginning a two-day process that will see the Viking Vesta afloat. Following this, she will be relocated to a nearby outfitting dock where the final touches, including interior construction, will be completed.
Viking’s dedication to providing unique experiences for The Thinking Person is evident in every detail of the Viking Vesta. Unlike other cruise lines, Viking focuses on creating meaningful and enriching journeys unlike other cruise lines that aims to cater to all preferences. This philosophy has earned Viking prestigious accolades, including being rated #1 for Oceans, Rivers, and Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the latest Readers’ Choice Awards.
As the Viking Vesta prepares to set sail in the summer of 2025, travellers can look forward to an unparalleled cruising experience that combines elegance, culture, and renowned Viking hospitality. Whether exploring the sun-soaked Mediterranean or the historic coasts of Northern Europe, guests on the Viking Vesta are promised an unforgettable adventure.
For more information and to book your journey on the Viking Vesta, visit Viking’s official website.
Written by: Michelle Warner
