Fincantieri to Build Two More for Viking Ocean Cruises
Image Courtesy: FincantieriItalian shipbuilder Fincantieri has signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction of two additional cruise ships, with an option for another two, with Viking Ocean Cruises.
The 47,800 gross ton newbuilds, which will be sister ships to the six already ordered vessels, are expected to enter the Viking fleet in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Fincantieri said that the final contracts will become effective upon the fulfilment of financing and other customary closing conditions.
The new ships, which will follow the same design as the current ships ordered and in operation, will be able to accommodate 930 guests in 465 cabins.
The first ship built for Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking Star was delivered at the shipyard in Marghera in spring 2015. The second and the third ships, Viking Sea and Viking Sky, took the sea from the yard in Ancona, respectively, in early 2016 and early 2017.
Viking will take delivery of the fourth ship, Viking Sun, in late 2017 and the fifth ship, Viking Spirit, in 2018. A sixth, yet-to-be-named ship will be delivered in 2019, marking Viking as the largest small ship ocean cruise line.
“The series - which began with the “Viking Star” prototype - reaches eight ships with these additional units, with the possibility to further grow thanks to the expansion plans of this dynamic cruise company,” Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, said.
“These additional ships are needed to meet the demand we are experiencing. Once only known for being the leading river cruise line, we are now equally known for upscale, inclusive ocean cruise experiences,” Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises, said.
