Viking Ocean Cruises took delivery of its third ocean cruise ship the Viking Sky.
The delivery of the new luxury vessel took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy. The delivery means that the cruise line will now begin to take control of the ship as crew members will begin getting it ready for its maiden voyage in February.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises, said:
“In the past two years, we have been encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response our first two ocean ships have generated among our guests and travel industry partners. Today we mark an important milestone in welcoming the third ship to our fleet. By the end of 2017 – our 20th year in business – we will also welcome our fourth ship, doubling our fleet in less than a year.” “With our fast-growing fleet and innovative design, we look forward to introducing even more experienced travelers to The Viking Way of destination-focused itineraries in the years to come.”
On February 25 Viking Sky will depart from Civitavecchia (Rome) on its maiden voyage. The ship will sail the Eastern and Western Meditteranean in Spring 2017 until its christening ceremony on June 22 in Tromsø, Norway. After the christening, Viking Sky will sail Scandinavia and the Baltic before crossing the Atlantic in September on her way to the Americas and the Caribbean.
Viking Sky is the sister ship to Viking Sea and Viking Star at 47,800 gross tons and carrying 930 guests in 465 staterooms. There are still another three identical ships on order and they will be delivered in 2017, 2018 and 2019.