LOS ANGELES — Viking is celebrating the float out of its newest ocean ship, the 998-guest Viking Vela.

The major construction milestone took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in Italy, marking the first time the ship has touched water. Following a two-day process that will set the ship afloat, Viking Vela will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out. 

Viking Vela will make its grand debut in December 2024, after which it will spend its inaugural season sailing voyages in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe.

“Together with Fincantieri, we have built the world’s most elegant ocean vessels, and it is always a proud day when our newest ship meets water for the first time,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We are different than other lines because of all that we do, but Viking also stands apart for all that we do not do. No children. No casinos. No nickel and diming. We look forward to welcoming the Viking Vela to our award-winning fleet next year and introducing even more curious travellers to the Viking way of exploration.”

Classified as a small ship, the Viking Vela will offer 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests. It will Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet of sister ships, including Viking Star, Viking Sea, Viking Sky, Viking Orion, Viking Jupiter, Viking Venus, Viking Mars, Viking Neptune and Viking Saturn.

Viking