By
Rebecca Gibson |
Trude Drevland, the mayor of Bergen, is to be the godmother of Viking Ocean Cruises’ newbuild Viking Star when she launches on 17 May 2015.
Drevland, who has served as mayor of the Norwegian city since 2011, is known for her many civic engagements and support of the arts. Prior to the ship’s debut, she will showcase Bergen in a series of online videos, which explore the cultural treasures of the Baltic region.
“For our first ocean ship it was very important to have a godmother who personifies our company’s Scandinavian heritage and the Viking spirit, so it is an absolute honour to have Trude as godmother to Viking Star,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises. “Bergen, with its colourful harbour and stunning scenery, has always been one of my favourite cities and we are delighted for our guests to experience it firsthand starting next spring.”
Viking Star, which was launched by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri at its Marghera yard in Venice on 23 June, is currently being outfitted. The 930-passenger ship, which is due for delivery in March 2015, is the first of three Viking cruise ships on order at Fincantieri. Construction work has already begun on her sister ships Viking Sky and Viking Sea, which are both scheduled for delivery in spring 2016.
Engineered to a small scale, the all-veranda ships will be able to directly access most ports, providing an easy and efficient embarkation and debarkation process. They all feature energy-efficient hybrid engines, hydro-dynamically optimised streamlined hulls and bows for maximum fuel efficiency. In addition, onboard solar panels and equipment that minimises exhaust pollution will enable the vessels to meet strict environmental regulations.
Featuring modern Scandinavian designs, the new ocean ships offer five stateroom categories – all with private verandas, king-size beds, large showers and LCD TVs – as well as 14 Explorer Suites, which have wrap-around private verandas. They also have a pool with a retractable dome roof; a glass-backed infinity pool, cantilevered off the ship’s stern; two-deck Explorers’ Lounge at the bow; the Wintergarden; and a spa with a sauna and a traditional ‘snow grotto’ where snowflakes descend from the ceiling through chilled air.
Each vessel offers multiple dining venues including The Restaurant and the World Café, which serve a variety of global cuisines and regional specialties, as well as The Chef’s Table, Italian Grill and The Kitchen Table. Passengers can enjoy a range of entertainment in the three-deck atrium, enrichment lectures in the Theater, an onboard cookery school and the Viking Piano Lounge.