Viking’s newest ocean ship, Viking Neptune, was christened by godmother, retired NASA astronaut, aquanaut and artist Nicole Stott, in a naming ceremony on 8 January in Los Angeles while en route to Honolulu.
The 930-passenger ship is currently on the 138-day Viking World Cruise, sailing from Fort Lauderdale to London and visiting 28 countries and 57 ports.
Chairman Torstein Hagen said it was a proud occasion for the newest ship to be named in LA, which has been the company’s US office base for more than 20 years.
“Viking Neptune is named for both the furthest planet in our solar system and the god of the sea. Our newest godmother, Nicole Stott, as a NASA astronaut and aquanaut, also has connections to space and the sea.”
“We are grateful for her many contributions to the scientific community and proud to have her in the Viking family.”
Ms Stott said: “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 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,” she said.
The Viking Neptune is the newest ship in the award-winning ocean fleet of eight identical sister ships. In April, the cruise line will also welcome another new ocean ship, the Viking Saturn.
Viking Neptune is uniquely equipped with a small hydrogen fuel system and is the cruise industry’s first ship to test the use of hydrogen power for onboard operations.
For more info, head to vikingcruises.com.au
