Viking Celebrates Flout Out of Its Second Hydrogen Powered Cruise Ship

The world’s fastest growing ocean cruise line, Viking, celebrated the float out of its second hydrogen-powered cruise ship that will debut next spring.

Viking Astrea reached a major construction milestone when the ship was floated out at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard in Italy.

A ceremonial cord was cut, signaling water to flow and fill the dry dock. It will take two days to fill the dry dock and float the ship to the outfitting pier.

The hydrogen-powered cruise ship will now move to the final stage of construction, the ship’s outfitting, where the inside of the ship will be completed. Viking Astrea will debut in May 2027 and sail its inaugural season in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

The ship will be 54,300 gross tons in size, have 499 cabins, and carry up to 998 guests. Viking Astrea will be nearly identical to the rest of Viking’s ocean ships.

Viking Astrea will have a propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. This hybrid propulsion system will make her capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions, which would allow her to access even the most environmentally sensitive areas

Enabled by Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), Fincantieri’s subsidiary specializing in advanced fuel cell technology, the ship’s state-of-the-art propulsion system will be capable of producing up to six megawatts of power.

Leah Talactac, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viking, gave the following statement:

“The float out of the Viking Astrea represents another important milestone for Viking. From the beginning, we have sought thoughtful ways to design more efficient ships, and the Viking Astrea is an important step forward in that ongoing effort.”

Viking’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship that’s capable of operating at zero emissions, Viking Libra, is scheduled to be completed in November 2026.

Viking currently has a fleet of 13 ocean cruise ships in service. Once Viking Astrea joins the fleet next spring, the cruise line will add another five ocean ships that will be built by the end of 2030.