Saturday, July 6, 2024
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Viking Vesta floated out at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, entering its final construction phase. The ship debuts in July 2025 with Mediterranean and Northern Europe routes.
Viking® (NYSE: VIK) has proudly announced a significant milestone with the float-out of its latest ocean ship, the Viking Vesta®. This moment marks the first time the ship has been in the water, a key step in its construction journey. Like all Viking ocean vessels, the Viking Vesta® is classified as a small ship, boasting a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons. It features 499 staterooms, accommodating up to 998 guests. The ship is set to make its debut in July 2025, embarking on her inaugural season with itineraries across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. For more details, visit Viking’s official website at www.viking.com.
“It is always a good day when a new ship meets water for the first time,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “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.”
The traditional float-out ceremony for the Viking Vesta® took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, marking a significant phase in the ship’s construction. The event, which signifies the vessel moving into its final construction stage, began on July 4 at around 11:00 a.m. local time. The Viking team initiated the float-out by cutting a cord, allowing water to flow into the ship’s building dock. Over the next two days, the Viking Vesta® will be fully floated and subsequently moved to a nearby outfitting dock for the completion of its construction and interior design.
Viking’s dedication to crafting experiences for The Thinking Person, rather than trying to appeal to everyone, has earned it high praise. This targeted approach has struck a chord with guests, earning Viking the #1 spot for Oceans, Rivers, and Expeditions in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Tags: Ancona news, choice awards, Condé Nast Traveler awards, cruise news, expedition cruises, Fincantieri Shipyard, float-out ceremony, luxury cruises, Mediterranean itineraries, Northern Europe itineraries news, ocean ships, river cruises, ship debut, Travel, Travel News, Viking Cruises news, Viking Vesta