| Viking Venus named as line restarts

VIKING’S newest ocean ship, Viking Venus, has officially been named by her godmother, British journalist & broadcaster Anne Diamond, as the cruise line prepares to return to service following 14 months of paused operations.

The new 930-guest Venus was welcomed to the fleet with a celebration at sea in the English Channel, with Diamond offering a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship.

Guests will embark this Sat from Portsmouth for the first of five roundtrip sailings of the England’s Scenic Shores itinerary, which will carry British passengers to local destinations, including Liverpool, the Isles of Scilly, Falmouth and Portland.

“Today is one of the proudest days in Viking’s nearly 24-year history,” proclaimed Chairman Torstein Hagen.

“When we became the first cruise line to suspend operations in Mar 2020, we certainly did not know it would be 14 months before guests would be welcomed back on board.

“Now, we are among the first to set sail again—and with our industry-leading health and safety protocols in place, we believe there is no safer way to travel the world than on a Viking voyage.”

Guests on board Venus for the naming ceremony enjoyed scenic sailing along the British coast, as well as exclusively recorded concert from artists including soprano Sissel Kyrkjebo, violinist Tor Jaran Apold and all-boy vocal group Libera.

Diamond, who has been a key feature on the Viking TV broadcast platform over the past year, helped smash a bottle of Norwegian akvavit on Venus’ hull, using a historic Viking axe to cut a ribbon holding the bottle in place (pictured).

After two months in the United Kingdom, Venus will relocate to Malta where she will homeport for more Welcome Back voyages in the Mediterranean.

Delivered in Apr 2021 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona (CW 16 Apr), Venus is the newest vessel to join Viking’s ocean fleet.