Viking Ocean Cruises has
reached an agreement with
new shipbuilders to introduce
its first ocean-going vessels.
THE sister company of Viking River Cruises
looks set to sign up Fincantieri to build two
luxury ocean cruise ships, with an option for a
third vessel.
The two parties reached the agreement after
Viking previously pulled out of negotiations
with another shipbuilder, STX France, two
weeks ago (CW, 10 Apr).
Scheduled for delivery in late 2014, the first
45,000-GRT ship will carry 998 passengers in
499 cabins, with the second identical ship due
in late 2015.
According to Viking, the financial and
technical aspects of the deal have been agreed
and both companies are expected to sign the
contract “shortly”, when the final documents
and conditions are finalised.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, said its
ocean cruises would be “intimate and
destination-focused” on luxury ships.
“We started Viking River Cruises to offer
great destination experiences, and we are
excited to bring this same destination focus
back to ocean cruising,” he said.
“The ship designed by Fincantieri has a fresh
and innovative design well suited to deliver the
award-winning Viking experience.”
The ships are expected to sail in the
Mediterranean and be aimed at Australian,
American and British guests.
