Viking has announced its newest ocean ship – the 930-guest Viking Mars – has been “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water.
Viking announced that its newest ocean ship, Viking Mars, which is scheduled to debut in early 2022, will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe before embarking on voyages in Asia and Australia.
Sailing the world Down Under, there are currently two amazing Viking Mars itineraries to choose from – Komodo & the Australian Coast and South Pacific Sojourn – with earlybird savings of up to $2000 per couple if booked by 31 July 2021.
Viking Mars will officially be named by her ceremonial godmother, Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the eighth Countess of Carnarvon. Lady Fiona Carnarvon is the owner of Highclere Castle, most famously known as the filming location of Downton Abbey. She is a “dear friend” of Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President of the cruise line and daughter of Torstein Hagen, Viking’s founder.
“The day that a new ship meets water for the first time is always a special moment in time, and today is especially meaningful because for the second time, my dear friend Lady Carnarvon will honour us by serving as godmother to a new Viking ship,” said Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President of Viking.
“The last year and a half has been a period of uncertainty for all of us, and it is in those times that you know your true friends. Lady Carnarvon has done so much to help Viking, including opening her home almost weekly for our guests to experience life ‘At Home at Highclere’ on Viking.TV.
She is truly like the sister I never had. We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone, and we look forward to welcoming Viking Mars to our award-winning ocean fleet next year.”
“I am both honoured and privileged to be chosen as godmother to the Viking Mars, the latest addition to Viking’s beautiful cruise ships. I’ve no doubt she will delight the many guests who travel with her across the seas and oceans,” said Lady Carnarvon.
The traditional float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction.
The float out of Viking Mars began at approximately 11am local time when a member of the Viking team cut a cord that signalled water to begin flowing into the ship’s building dock.
Following a two-day process that will set Viking Mars afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.
We can’t wait to see her arrive Down Under.
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