Key Aspects:
- Viking and Fincantieri have signed a contract for two new cruise ship builds for delivery in 2032.
- The two ships will be built at the Ancona shipyard in Italy, each with a gross tonnage of 54,300 and a passenger capacity of 998.
- Modern safety systems and the best environmental and navigational technology will be part of the new ships.
Viking and Fincantieri signed the contract for two new cruise ships on August 20, 2026, with the vessels to be delivered in 2032.
The new ships are the options of a previous contract signed in April 2025 when Viking announced its first hydrogen-powered vessels, Viking Libra and Viking Astrea. Viking Libra is scheduled to debut in November 2026, followed by Viking Astrea in June 2027.
Two additional ships were also ordered at the same time, with a further option for two more vessels. Those fifth and sixth ships are the ones that the companies have now signed a contract to deliver, and they will be built at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard on the Adriatic Sea in eastern Italy.
“Today’s agreement marks another milestone in our long-standing partnership with Viking and serves as a powerful testament to the excellence and industrial expertise of our Ancona shipyard,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri.
“Over the years, Ancona has proven to be an indispensable production hub for our Group, delivering highly sophisticated cruise ships that set the benchmark for technology, luxury and efficiency. Assigning these new builds to Ancona reinforces the strategic role of the site, supports high-value local employment and ensures long-term industrial continuity for our supply chain as we continue to shape the future of sustainable cruising.”
Including these new builds, Fincantieri has or will soon have built a total of 28 vessels for Viking. No pricing for the new ships has been confirmed, but Fincantieri considers the agreement a “large” contract, which represents a value between 500 million and 1 billion euros (approximately $584 million to $1.17 billion USD).
What We Know About the New Ships
Only a few details have been released about the newly ordered ships. They are intended to be part of the small cruise ship market, with a gross tonnage of roughly 54,300 gross tons and a passenger capacity of 998.
These are the same stats as for Viking Vesta and Viking Mira, as well as the forthcoming Viking Libra and Viking Astrea. While each ship has its own distinctiveness and subtle differences, they are likely to be similar in layout and amenities for luxury cruising.
Both ships will be built to comply with the latest environmental rules and navigation requirements, ensuring safe and smooth cruising in different marine environments. This is often a consideration for ships that will venture to more isolated ports and pristine destinations in order to protect vulnerable and delicate ecosystems.
The most modern safety systems will also be part of both ships. This is of special concern to many cruisers following different safety issues in recent months, such as the Middle East war that kept multiple ships stranded for months in a dangerous region when the Strait of Hormuz was closed.
Similarly, the small ship Fiji Princess of Blue Lagoon Cruises ran aground on a coral reef near Monuriki Island in Fiji in April 2026, a situation that could be frightening for expedition cruising or port visits far from more metropolitan areas.
With advanced safety systems, cruise ships in remote areas would be well-equipped to handle various emergency situations while safeguarding all guests and crew members. No itinerary details for the new ships have yet been announced, however.
The contract for the two new ships is subject to financing approval as well as other standard terms and conditions for such agreements in the cruise industry.
