By
Rebecca Gibson |
Viking Ocean Cruises took delivery of its second ship, Viking Sea, at Fincantieri’s Ancona yard in Italy on 24 March.
Designed as a sister to Viking Star, which launched in April 2015, Viking Sea is due to sail from Istanbul, Turkey on 3 April before travelling through the Mediterranean and Atlantic to reach in Greenwich in London, UK for her 5 May christening. Following the christening, Viking Sea will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.
Viking Sea’s delivery followed a day after the company’s third ocean ship, Viking Sky was floated out at the Ancona yard amid the news that Viking has ordered another three cruise ships from Fincantieri. These will be identical to the first three ships and will be delivered in late 2017, 2018 and 2020, respectively.
“What a remarkable 12 months this has been, launching our first ocean ship, taking delivery of our second ship and preparing for the final outfitting of our third ship,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises. “I am proud of everyone at Viking and Fincantieri for their contributions. As we take delivery of Viking Sea we now double Viking’s ocean capacity, which demonstrates how enthusiastic our guests are for destination-focused cruises. We look forward to further increasing our presence next year and the years after that.”
Like her sister ships, Viking Sea weighs 47,800gt, boasts 465 cabins and accommodates 930 passengers. Featuring modern Scandinavian designs, the vessel offers five stateroom categories – all with private verandas, king-size beds, large showers and LCD TVs – as well as 14 Explorer Suites, which have wraparound private verandas. She also has a pool with a retractable dome roof; a glass-backed infinity pool, cantilevered off the stern; a two-deck Explorers’ Lounge; the Wintergarden; and a spa with a sauna and a traditional ‘snow grotto’.
Viking Sea also offers multiple dining venues including The Restaurant and the World Café, 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 a piano lounge.
Engineered to a small scale, the ship will be able to directly access most ports and features energy-efficient hybrid engines, and a hydrodynamically optimised streamlined hull and bow for maximum fuel efficiency. In addition, onboard solar panels and equipment that minimises exhaust pollution will enable her to meet strict environmental regulations.