Viking Leda

The 2028-built MS Viking Leda cruise ship is the 17th (the 7th in the second/modified ship series) vessel of Viking OCEAN Cruises Ltd (USA). Leda is also the 20th Viking ship constructed by Fincantieri.

Viking Leda is currently on order/under construction and scheduled for delivery and inauguration in December 2028.

Leda's sisterships (with a modified design/bigger capacity) are Viking Vela (2024), Viking Vesta (2025), Viking Mira (2026 Jun), Viking Libra (2026 Dec), Viking Astrea (2027 Jun), Viking Lyra (2028 Nov), and Viking Vega (2029 Jun).

Unlike the preceding 10-ship series (Viking Star/2015 through Viking Saturn/2023), the vessels from the second/6-ship series (starting with Viking Vela) are slightly larger (10 m longer, 2 m wider) and have more staterooms (499 vs 464) and bigger passenger capacity (998 vs 928).

Viking OCEAN's plans for a fleet of 16 sisterships were announced on March 6, 2018, when Viking entered an agreement with Fincantieri for 6x more ocean vessels, to be delivered in the period 2024-2028. In September 2022 Fincantieri and Viking entered into an agreement for 4x more vessels (based on the option in the 2018-signed contract) with total value ~EUR/USD 1,7 billion. Deliveries were scheduled for 2026 and 2027 (2x units) and 2028 (2x units).

As of 2023, Viking owned and operated 9x ocean ships, 2x expedition ships and 79x riverboats, with another 14x riverboats on order (slated to be operational by 2026) and 10x ocean ships ordered (to be operational by 2030).

The Viking Leda vessel (IMO number tba) will be Norway-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Bergen.

History - construction and ownership

The 1000-passenger ship Viking Leda offers destination-oriented cruising experiences, with few at-sea days, long in-ports days and more exciting overnights in key spots. Onboard amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, free shore excursions, wine and beer with no charge at dinner and lunch.

Each of the Viking Ocean ships offers many ticket price-inclusive / complimentary amenities and services, such as all shore excursions, transfers, Wi-Fi, wine and beer (at lunches and dinners), access to Nordic Spa (steam room, thalassotherapy pool, hot tub, snow room/grotto, sauna, cold plunge pool). The infinity pool (resistance swimming pool located aft on Deck 7 / at the ship's stern) is another unique and complimentary facility.

All Viking Ocean liners were built according to the latest maritime navigation regulations and equipped with the latest marine safety systems, including "safe return to port". The ships also implement some of the maritime industry's latest technologies, including energy-saving hybrid engines (diesel generators and gas turbines), optimized hulls and bulbous bows for max fuel efficiency. Ship design also features the common for Viking River Cruises longships solar panels (installed on the Magradome pool cover), additionally minimizing the vessel's exhaust pollution.

Decks and Cabins

Viking Leda staterooms (499 total) include 49x Suites, 96x Penthouses and 348x Veranda/Balcony cabins in 16 grades.

All passenger cabins are balconied and offer all the industry's modern amenities and services, including King-size beds ("Viking Explorer", deluxe mattresses and linens, Cashmere blankets), en suite bathroom (heated floor, heated mirror, glass-door shower, hairdryer, premium bath products and toiletries /by Freyja, bathrobes, slippers, towel warmers), seating area (sofa, coffee table, vanity desk with chair, wardrobe, full-length mirror with mini lights), satellite phone, smart HDTV (3D, Infotainment / interactive TV system for Internet access, room service ordering, movies-on-demand, live webcams views, Viking Cruises channel for news, enrichment lectures and port talks), in-room binoculars, electronic safe box, individual air-conditioning, coffee machine, mini-bar (replenished daily with bottled water, soft drinks, snacks).

The boat has 10 decks, of which 6 have passenger cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Viking Leda offers the following dining venues: Restaurant (dining room), buffets (Viking Deli, World Cafe), Aquavit Terrace (alfresco), specialty (Italian Grill, Chef's Table), Private Dining (2 rooms).

Viking OCEAN deals are inclusive of shore excursions, complimentary alcohol (wine and beer at lunch and dinner) and Wi-Fi.

Viking OCEAN's Leda ship has as signature facilities two swimming pools (Main Pool and Aft Infinity Pool), a covered pool deck (with Jacuzzi, Bar & Grill), Viking Living Room (Atrium Lobby Lounge), two Cinemas, a modern wellness complex (Spa & Fitness Center, Beauty Salon), Wintergarden (poolside area), Aquavit Terrace (aft outdoor bar lounge with Infinity Pool and Hot Tub), Piano Bar Lounge (Torshavn), dedicated sports deck (deck 9/with a Walking Track and Outdoor Gym/Yoga area), Theatre Lounge & Bar, Lobby Bar, various shops and brand boutiques.

The walk-around Lanai/Promenade Deck fully encircles the boat (deck 2). The two-deck Explorer's Lounge has a huge bow-facing observation area, which is a unique feature that lots of modern cruise vessels lack. Many of the ship's features reflect a boutique hotel feel.

All Viking OCEAN ships have an onboard "snow room". Viking's "Snow Grotto" is a spa retreat with powdery snow falling from the ceiling. The experience (touted as beneficial to the body's blood circulation) includes heating in a sauna (steam bath), then walking into this small room fitted with benches and with dark stone walls illuminated by blue light. The snow on the floor is kept at sub-freezing temperatures. This Arctic-themed facility is part of the ship's thermal suite (within the spa complex). This relaxation area also has 1 hot tub, sauna room, heated ceramic loungers, therapeutic showers, and a salt-water thermal pool. Snow Grotto access is complimentary to all passengers.

Itineraries

Viking Leda's itinerary program is scheduled to start in December 2028.

The inaugural cruise program groups voyages in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe (UK, Baltic, Scandinavia).

The ship's inaugural itineraries (2028-2029) are themed as "Iconic Western Mediterranean" (Barcelona to Rome-Civitavecchia), "Italian Sojourn" (Rome to Venice-Chioggia), "British Isles Explorer" (Bergen to London-Greenwich), "Mediterranean and Italian Sojourn" (Barcelona to Venice), also the new for Viking OCEAN itineraries "Spain, Portugal and the Mediterranean" (Lisbon to Rome), "Iberia, France and England Explorer" (Lisbon to London-Greenwich), "British Isles and Ireland" (London to Belfast), "Spain and Portugal Discovery" (Lisbon to Barcelona), "Iconic Western Europe" (London to Barcelona) and "Adriatic and Mediterranean Discovery" (Venice to Lisbon).

All Viking OCEAN ships offer destination-rich itineraries featuring the brand's new "small ship cruise" tour and onboard experience. Compared to similar-class vessels operated by other companies, Viking OCEAN's itineraries feature fewer sea days and longer port days, with a lot of overnight port stays.