Viking Cruises has inked another deal with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri that will see it take delivery of six new ocean ships between 2024 and 2027.
The operator already has 10 ships on order from Fincantieri for delivery from 2021. The new signing takes the tally of ship orders and options with Fincantieri to 16. That is the largest backlog for a shipyard from a single owner, according to Viking.
Originally a river cruise specialist, Viking confirmed its foray into the world of ocean cruising in 2014 with the launch of Viking Star onto the high seas in 2015.
Torstein Hagen, Founder and Chairman of Viking Cruises
Chairman Torstein Hagen said the new order was the result of the “positive response” of its guests and the industry to Viking’s new ocean cruising product.
“When we launched our first ocean ship in 2015, we set out to reinvent ocean cruising,” he said.
“We focus on the destination, and we do not cram our ships with gimmicks and waterslides. Our understated, elegant, award-winning ships are designed to simply enable our guests to better explore their destination.”
The announcement comes as Viking’s fourth ocean ship, Viking Sun, approaches Shanghai for its christening tomorrow. It is currently sailing Viking’s 141-day world cruise from Miami to London. The Shanghai stop represents the first time one of Viking’s ocean ships has visited China.
It will become the first cruise ship to be named in Shanghai, Viking said.
A fifth ship, the 930-passenger Viking Orion, is expected in June with a sixth, Viking Jupiter, in 2019.
“We have always believed that cruising should be about connecting you to your destination – not just taking you to places on a map.” Hagen said at the time.
“With our new ocean cruises, we have created a new kind of vessel that is smaller in size and smarter in design, offering an alternative to today’s mega liners.”
The agreement for the six additional ships, which will be delivered in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, is subject to “specific conditions”.
READ: Viking Cruises launches ocean cruising
READ: Viking Cruises to launch 7 new river ships in Europe