Viking’s newest ocean ship, the Viking Neptune, has been named by NASA astronaut and aquanaut Nicole Scott in Los Angeles in a celebration during the ship’s 138-day world cruise.
Stott offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing on Sunday (8 January) before the ship continued her journey to next stop Honolulu.
Viking Neptune is currently sailing the epic voyage from Florida to London that spans 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities.
“The Viking Neptune is a ship named for both the furthest planet in our solar system and the god of the sea, and our newest Viking godmother, as a NASA astronaut and aquanaut, also has connections to space and the sea,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking.
” We are grateful for her many contributions to the scientific community and are proud to have her as part of the Viking family.”
Nicole Stott responded: “It is an honour and privilege to be the godmother of the new Viking Neptune. As someone who has been blessed to explore space, the ocean, and some of the otherworldly places on our planet, I understand the importance of broadening one’s horizons through travel. I am very excited for all those who journey around the world on this elegant vessel.”
In keeping with the naming tradition, Scott used a historic Viking broad axe, pictured, to cut a ribbon that allowed a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship’s hull.