Viking is now the largest small ship cruise line in the world with six ships in the water and ten more on the way. That happened recently as Viking celebrated the float out of sixth ship Viking Jupiter set for an early 2019 delivery. So not six choices we can actually ride right now but soon. Today, we have that details on that significant story as well as one tiny detail included in it that caught our attention as a rather large reason to embrace this cruise ship brand.

A milestone in the building of a ship, ‘float out’ is the first time a ship touches the water. That happens between the laying of the keel and the fitting out process that brings what we see when we walk on board.  At the Viking Jupiter float out celebration, on hand at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard were all the traditional elements.  A special woman of honor, the ship’s madrina, was there as well as Viking executives, workers from the shipyard and press who cover such events.  One part of the ceremony involves welding commemorative coins under the ship mast for good luck.  In this case, there were four coins.

1. Norwegian singer/crossover soprano Sissel Kyrkjebø, Viking Jupiter’s madrina.
2. Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen
3. Ragnhild “Mamsen” Hagen, the mother of Chairman Hagen

All three are significant to the Viking organization for obvious reasons.  Not so obvious, a fourth perhaps more significant coin was added for Finse, Hagen’s ‘granddog’.

We like this for more reason than one might imagine.  Think about it.  Viking is a relatively new choice in the world of ocean cruising that is growing by leaps and bounds. In A Ride On The Rocket: Fueled By Viking Ocean Cruises, we talked about the dynamic growth of the company.  A frequently recurring element of the Viking success story: family.

We have seen the power of that family element at work and have first-hand knowledge of just how important it can be. That family element fueled a little restaurant we put all our heart and soul into 40 years ago.  That Viking added a coin for (dog) Finse is important to me and should be to you. This was not a joke. Floatout is serious business in the life of a cruise ship. Regular readers here know it is these little details that add up to us/you saying ‘man, that sure was a great cruise’ by the time we get back home.

That thought is of particular importance today as I get ready to sail with Viking Ocean Cruises, going back to first ship Viking Star for a July sailing Into The Midnight Sun.  More on that shortly.

The 930-passenger Star-class Viking cruise ship will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.   See full release below

All photos: Viking Cruises

 

[PRESS RELEASE]

VIKING CELEBRATES FLOAT OUT OF SIXTH SHIP

Set to Debut in 2019, Viking Jupiter Touches Water for First Time

Los Angeles (May 10, 2018) – Viking® (www.vikingcruises.com) today announced its sixth ship – the 930-guest Viking Jupiter® – was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time that the new ship touched water. Scheduled for delivery in early 2019, the arrival of Viking Jupiter will officially make Viking the largest small ship ocean cruise line in the industry, only four years after launching its ocean business. Named in honor of the planet Jupiter, the ship will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

                “It is always a proud moment when a new ship touches water for the first time and is one step closer to welcoming guests onboard,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “As a Norwegian native, I am also particularly proud to announce today Sissel Kyrkjebø, my mother’s favorite singer and a longtime Viking partner, will be honored as godmother to Viking Jupiter and will preside over the ship’s naming ceremony in Oslo, Norway in June 2019.”

                The traditional float out ceremony took place at the Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. Viking Jupiter’s float out began at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time and in keeping with maritime tradition, a madrina – a special woman of honor – assisted with the ceremony, first welding commemorative coins under the ship mast. Norwegian singer Sissel Kyrkjebø, who is widely considered one of the world’s top crossover sopranos and who has long been a cultural partner to Viking, served as Viking Jupiter’s madrina. She welded a commemorative coin representing her birth year, as well as the birth years for Chairman Hagen (1943) and Finse (2012), Hagen’s “grand dog.” A special coin, dated 1911, was also welded to represent Ragnhild “Mamsen” Hagen, the mother of Chairman Hagen and the woman after whom the onboard Norwegian deli Mamsen’s is named. Kyrkjebø then cut a cord to allow water to begin flowing into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set Viking Jupiter afloat, the ship will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

Viking Jupiter

                Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, have 465 staterooms and host 930 guests. Classified by Cruise Critic® as a “small ship,” the all-verandaViking Jupiter will join Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet, which also includes Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, Viking Sky® and Viking Sun®. Viking will welcome its fifth ship,Viking Orion®, to the fleet in June 2018. Ten additional ships are also planned for delivery starting in 2021, which could bring Viking’s ocean fleet to 16 ships by 2027.

The Viking Difference

                Designed for discerning travelers with interests in history, art, music and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destination, with more time in port and more overnights. On board, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is both beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light. With the most al fresco dining opportunities at sea, featuring regional cuisines and always-available American classics, Viking’s guests can truly dine in their destination. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences ashore and on board. And only The Viking Way of Exploration provides guests with itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences.

In addition, Viking offers the best value at sea, with each cruise fare including much more than what competitors offer—an included value of more than $200 per person per day for an average cruise. Every cruise fare includes an exterior stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; alternative restaurant dining; Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service.

Booking Details

                From now through May 31, 2018, Viking is offering U.S. residents 2-for-1 cruise fares on select 2018 ocean and river cruise itineraries, with additional savings on international air. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel agent.

 

About Viking Cruises

Viking was founded in 1997 with the purchase of four ships in Russia and is now the leader in river and small ship ocean cruising. Designed for discerning travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. In its first two years of operation, Viking has been rated the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s 2016 and 2017 “World’s Best” Awards. Viking currently operates a fleet of 63 vessels, offering scenic cruising on rivers and oceans around the world. By 2023 the company will operate 10 930-guest ocean cruise ships and will be the largest small ship ocean cruise line. In addition to the Travel + Leisure honors, Viking has also been honored multiple times on Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” as well as recognized by Cruise Critic as “Best Overall” Small-Mid size ship in the 2018 Cruisers’ Choice Awards, “Best River Cruise Line” and “Best River Itineraries,” with the entire Viking Longships® fleet being named “Best New River Ships” in the website’s Editors’ Picks Awards. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or visit www.vikingcruises.com.