By
Alice Chambers |
Viking’s newest ocean ship Viking Saturn was christened in New York City on 7 June 2023.
Philanthropist and chairman of the Metropolitan Opera Ann Ziff named the ship, before using a steel sword from the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Verdi’s Il Trovatore to cut a ribbon that broke the bottle of Norwegian aquavit on the ship’s hull. The sword was presented to Ziff by Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the countess of Carnarvon and godmother two of the cruise line’s vessels, Viking Mars and longship Viking Skadi.
“It is an honour to be godmother of the new Viking Saturn and celebrate this momentous occasion in New York,” said Ziff. “Viking and the Metropolitan Opera share a common goal in creating enriching experiences throughout the world and there is no doubt the Viking Saturn will do just that for her guests.”
The Metropolitan Opera has been a Viking cultural partner since 2016 and offers live streams of its productions onboard its ships. The partnership was commemorated during the naming ceremony with a performance of opera classics by stars of the Metropolitan Opera including soprano Susanna Phillips, tenor Charles Castronovo and baritone Quinn Kelsey.
There were also performances from Norwegian soprano Sissel Kyrkjebø, who is also godmother to Viking Jupiter, and Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold.
“This is a very proud day for Viking as we name our newest identical ocean ship in New York City, one of the great cultural capitals of the world,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. “It is especially fitting that Ann Ziff, chairman of the Metropolitan Opera – one of the world’s greatest cultural institutions – has honoured us by serving as godmother of the Viking Saturn. We thank Ann for her loyalty as a Viking guest, as well as her many impressive contributions to the arts and other important causes.”
The 930-guest ocean vessel will now begin its inaugural season, sailing Viking’s new ‘Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada’ itinerary between New York City and Reykjavik, Iceland, and ‘Iceland & Norway Arctic Explorer’ cruises between Reykjavik and Bergen, Norway.