LOS ANGELES — The 930-guest Viking Venus was ‘floated out’ on June 11, marking a major construction milestone and the first time that the new ship had touched water.

Scheduled to debut in early 2021 with 465 staterooms, Viking’s seventh ocean ship will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe.

“Today we are pleased to celebrate this important milestone in the construction of our seventh ocean ship,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “As the world continues its path to recovery from COVID-19, we remain focused on the future, and with strong bookings for 2021 and the enthusiasm of our guests, we are optimistic about what is to come.”

The traditional float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. The float out of Viking Venus began at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time, when a cord was cut to allow water to begin flowing into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set Viking Venus afloat, it will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

For more information visit vikingcruisescanada.com.