Viking Ocean Cruises takes delivery of first ship

Viking Ocean Cruises took delivery Saturday of Viking Star, the first of the three 48,000 grt, 930 passenger cruise ships on order for the line at Fincantieri's Marghera, Italy, shipyard.

The ceremony was attended by Torstein Hagen, founder and chairman of Viking Cruises, with the shipbuilder represented, among others, by CEO Giuseppe Bono, CEO.

Viking developed its ocean cruise ships by leveraging extensive feedback and input from Viking River Cruises passengers and itineraries are designed for maximum time in port, often with late evenings or overnights, so guests can experience local nightlife or evening performances.

Designed with the environment in mind, the ships feature energy-efficient hybrid engines, hydro-dynamically optimized streamlined hulls and bows for maximum fuel efficiency, onboard solar panels, and equipment that minimizes exhaust pollution and meets the strictest environmental regulations.

The three ships are engineered at a scale that allows direct access into most ports, so guests have easy and efficient embarkation and debarkation.

Features include all Veranda Staterooms: Guests can choose from five stateroom categories, starting from a 270 sq. ft. veranda stateroom, all with private verandas, king-size beds, large showers, and LCD TVs. Viking Star features 14 Explorer Suites, which are two-room suites ranging from 757 to 1,163 sq. ft. that offer sweeping views from wrap-around private veranda.

In addition to the main pool with a retractable dome permitting any-season swimming, the ship features a glass-backed infinity pool, cantilevered off the stern.

The Spa onboard is designed with the holistic wellness philosophy of Scandinavia in mind—from the tradition of the sauna to a "snow grotto" where "snowflakes gently descend from the ceiling through chilled air."

Viking Star will take on her first guests on April 11. She will then set sail from Istanbul, making her way through the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic on her way to be officially christened on May 17, Norwegian Constitution Day, in Bergen, Norway, where Bergen Mayor Trude Drevland will serve as godmother and will officially name the ship.