Viking's third ocean ship will now be constructed at Fincantieri's Ancona yard, rather than Marghera
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Viking Cruises’ third ocean cruise ship, Viking Sky, will now be delivered in spring 2017, rather than June 2016 as originally planned.
Viking Sky will also be built at Fincantieri’s Ancona yard, rather than the Marghera yard due to delays with Holland America Line’s newbuild Koningsdam, which have had a knock-on effect on the Viking project.
Despite the delay, only five Viking Sea and Viking Sky cruises that were due to depart between June and September 2016 have been changed. Any passengers who had booked sailings will be offered the option to transfer to Viking Sea, which is due to be delivered in 2016 as planned.
Featuring modern, Scandinavian-inspired interiors designed by London-based SMC Design and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios, all three of Viking’s 14-deck ocean ships will offer five stateroom categories; a pool with retractable dome, a glass-backed infinity pool cantilevered off the stern; a two-deck Explorers’ Lounge at the bow; the Wintergarden; and a spa with a sauna and a traditional ‘snow grotto’.
Engineered to a small scale, the 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.
Viking Star, which was delivered in April and will be christened in Norway on 17 May, and Viking Sky and Viking Sea will all sail in Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.