In the Adriatic Sea port of Split, Croatia, the newest addition to Viking OCEAN’s fleet was formally named on June 30th.
Delivered by Fincantieri, this 998‑guest vessel Viking Vesta entered service with a ceremony of deep-sea tradition and calm resolve.
The responsibility of godmother fell to Norwegian journalist Lene Tangevald-Jensen, whose sense of duty and adherence to the values that Viking holds dear marked her as a fitting choice.
As the naming began, she severed a ceremonial ribbon with a Viking broadaxe. A bottle of Norwegian aquavit struck the hull and shattered, signifying the ship’s seaworthiness and legitimizing its first voyage.
In the background, the voices of soprano Sissel Kyrkjebø and the strains of violinist Tor Jaran Apold underscored the occasion, linking maritime custom with cultured expression.
Torstein Hagen, Viking’s Chairman and CEO, noted that this christening coincides with the company's 10th year of ocean voyages and that the Viking Vesta joins a fleet celebrated for understated elegance and small‑ship design.
Its inaugural season will carry it through the Mediterranean and northern European waters, inviting travelers to explore in comfort and style.
The Viking Vesta embodies Viking’s maritime philosophy: traditional ceremony fused with modern refinement. With its 499 veranda staterooms, Scandinavian design, and al‑fresco decks, it is poised to uphold the brand’s legacy at sea.
As she sets forth on her maiden voyages, this ship stands as a steady testament to a decade of exploration, comfort, and cultured travel under the Viking banner.