Viking’s newest ocean ship, the 998-guest Viking Vela, was “floated out” on Friday (1 December), but it will be another 12 months before she takes to the sea for real.
Scheduled to debut in December 2024, the Viking Vela will spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe.
“Together with Fincantieri, we have built the world’s most elegant ocean vessels, and it is always a proud day when our newest ship meets water for the first time,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking.
“We are different than other lines because of all that we do, but Viking also stands apart for all that we do not do. No children. No casinos. No nickel and diming.”
The traditional float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, and the ship now moves into its final stage of construction
Classified as a small ship, the Viking Vela has a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons, with 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests..