Moving right along as they sail toward a fleet of 16 ocean cruising vessels, Viking Cruises took delivery of fifth ship Viking Orion yesterday.  Perhaps a bit more personal to Florida cruise travelers, the latest Venice-class ship from Viking Ocean Cruises has a NASA connection.  Interesting to all cruise travelers: the Viking Orion debut signals more capacity for the growing fleet and that brings more destinations.

On June 14, Viking Orion will arrive in Livorno, Italy, where she will officially be named by her ceremonial godmother.  Nothing unusual there except for who the Godmother is: Dr. Anna Fisher, American chemist, emergency room physician and retired NASA astronaut.

Viking Orion Debut
More Places Can Be Explored The Viking Way Now

The ship’s name was inspired by the prominent constellation often used to navigate the oceans of the world and Dr. Fisher’s work on NASA’s Orion exploration vehicle project. Viking Orion will debut with a first-season in the Mediterranean. The Viking Orion debut brings the opportunity to visit our friends down under Australia as well as Asia and Alaska, where she will be Viking’s first ship to call in the land of the midnight sun.

Today we celebrate the delivery of our fifth ocean ship, just three years after launching our ocean business,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We are pleased to welcome Viking Orion to our award-winning fleet and look forward to introducing more guests to the Viking way of travel, through culturally-immersive and destination-focused itineraries as we expand to new destinations in Asia and Alaska.

 

 

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Here is the full press release on this

Los Angeles (June 7, 2018) – Viking® (www.vikingcruises.com) today announced it took delivery of Viking Orion®, the company’s fifth ocean ship. The delivery ceremony took place this morning when the ship was presented at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. On June 14, the ship will arrive in Livorno, Italy, where she will officially be named by her ceremonial godmother, Dr. Anna Fisher, American chemist, emergency room physician and retired NASA astronaut. The ship’s name was inspired by the prominent constellation and Dr. Fisher’s work on NASA’s Orion exploration vehicle project. Viking Orion will spend her maiden season sailing the Mediterranean, before journeying to Australia, Asia and Alaska, where she will be Viking’s first ship to call on the northernmost U.S. state. 

“Today we celebrate the delivery of our fifth ocean ship, just three years after launching our ocean business,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We are pleased to welcome Viking Orion to our award-winning fleet and look forward to introducing more guests to the Viking way of travel, through culturally-immersive and destination-focused itineraries as we expand to new destinations in Asia and Alaska.”

Viking Orion

                Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can accommodate 930 guests. Viking Orion is the fifth addition to Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet, which also includes Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, Viking Sky® and Viking Sun®. With the arrival of Viking Jupiter® in Spring 2019, Viking will be the largest small ship ocean cruise line. Ten additional ships are also planned for delivery starting in 2021, which could bring Viking’s ocean fleet to 16 ships by 2027.

The Viking Difference

                Designed for discerning travelers with interests in history, art, music and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destination, with more time in port and more overnights. On board, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is both beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light. With the most al fresco dining opportunities at sea, featuring regional cuisines and always-available American classics, Viking’s guests can truly dine in their destination. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences ashore and on board. And only The Viking Way of Exploration provides guests with itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences.

                In addition, Viking offers the best value at sea, with each cruise fare including much more than what competitors offer—an included value of more than $200 per person per day for an average cruise. Every cruise fare includes an exterior stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; alternative restaurant dining; Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service.

Booking Details

                From now through June 30, 2018, Viking is offering U.S. residents 2-for-1 cruise fares on select 2018, 2019 and 2020 ocean and river cruise itineraries, with additional savings on international air. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel agent.