Viking celebrated the christening of their newest and largest cruise ship, Viking Vesta, with a traditional ceremony in Split, Croatia.
Norwegian journalist Lene Tangevald-Jensen served as the ship’s godmother offering a blessing for the ship. A bottle of Norwegian aquavit smashed against the ship’s hull when she used an axe to cut the ribbon officially christening the vessel.
Viking Vesta is the 12th ocean cruise ship to join Viking’s fleet, a remarkable feat considering the cruise line launched their first ocean ship just 10 years ago.
The ship is pretty much identical to the first 11 ships in Viking’s fleet, but is slightly larger at 54,300 gross tons. The ship has 499 staterooms, up from 465. Viking Vesta can carry a maximum of 998 guests.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, said the following:
“As we celebrate 10 years of ocean voyages in 2025, we are pleased to welcome the new Viking Vesta to our award-winning fleet of elegant sister ships. We are also very grateful to Lene for serving as godmother.
“In addition to her personal and professional accomplishments, Lene embodies the values that are very important to me and to Viking—she is kind, honest, hardworking and, of course, curious. I am proud to count her as a friend and a valued member of the extended Viking family.”
Viking Vesta is currently offering cruises in the Mediterranean and the ship will remain there for the next two years.
In 2026 Viking will welcome two more ocean ships into their fleet, Viking Mira and Viking Libra. In 2027, Viking Astrea will become the 15th ship in Viking’s growing fleet.
Viking has five additional, currently unnamed, ocean ships that are scheduled to debut from 2028 through 2030.
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