Viking OCEAN celebrated the launch of its newest ship - Viking Saturn, in NYC New York USA.
During the event, Ann Ziff, a philanthropist and the Metropolitan Opera's Chairman, acted as the ship's ceremonial godmother. She performed a traditional blessing to bestow good fortune and safe travels upon the ship, a maritime practice that has been observed for thousands of years.
Following the naming ceremony, Viking Saturn embarked on her inaugural season, offering two new voyages: Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada, sailing between New York City and Reykjavik Iceland, and Iceland & Norway's Arctic Explorer, traveling from Reykjavik to Bergen Norway.
In accordance with the ship-naming tradition, Ann Ziff utilized a steel sword from the Metropolitan Opera's production of Verdi's Il Trovatore to cut a ribbon, symbolically allowing a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship's hull. This prop sword was previously employed by baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky in the role of Count di Luna during David McVicar's production, which premiered in the 2008-2009 season.
Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the Countess of Carnarvon, who also serves as the godmother for Viking Mars and a Viking Longship named Viking Skadi, presented the sword to Ziff prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The event featured captivating performances by Sissel Kyrkjebo, a renowned crossover soprano and godmother of Viking Jupiter, as well as Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold. Following a festive dinner onboard, stars from the Metropolitan Opera, including soprano Susanna Phillips, tenor Charles Castronovo, and baritone Quinn Kelsey, delighted guests with a recital of beloved opera classics. The repertoire included selections from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata, Antonin Dvorak's Rusalka, and Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme, as well as a collection of iconic American musical compositions by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jerome Kern, and others.
Ann Ziff, a dedicated philanthropist with a focus on the arts, education, culture, and environmental conservation, currently holds the position of Chairman at the Metropolitan Opera. Additionally, she serves on various boards, including the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Sing for Hope, the World Science Festival, and the Los Angeles Opera. Ziff is passionate about providing cultural and artistic experiences for disadvantaged children and has co-founded organizations like Smile Train and Maloto, which offers education and shelter for abused and abandoned girls in Malawi. Furthermore, she has her own eponymous fine jewelry brand, Tamsen Z, where she designs unique pieces inspired by her love for culture, art, music, and her travels as a loyal guest of Viking.