Viking Mira

The 2026-built MS Viking Mira cruise ship is the 13th vessel (and the 3rd in the second 6-ship series) of a total of 16 ships built for Viking OCEAN Cruises Ltd (USA). Mira is also the 15th Viking ship constructed by Fincantieri.

Viking Mira is currently on order/under construction and is scheduled for delivery and inauguration in June 2026. Her sisterships (with a modified design and larger capacity) include Viking Vela (2024), Viking Vesta (2025), Viking Libra (2026), Viking Astrea (2027), and Viking Lyra (2028).

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

Viking OCEAN’s plan for a fleet of 16 sisterships was announced on March 6, 2018, when the company signed an agreement with Fincantieri for six additional ocean vessels, scheduled for delivery between 2024 and 2028. In September 2022, Fincantieri and Viking signed a further agreement for four more vessels (exercising options from the 2018 contract), with a total value of approximately EUR/USD 1.7 billion. Deliveries were scheduled for 2026 and 2027 (two units) and 2028 (two units).

As of 2023, Viking owned and operated 9 ocean ships, 2 expedition vessels, and 79 riverboats, with an additional 14 riverboats on order (scheduled for delivery by 2026) and 10 ocean ships on order (planned to be operational by 2030).

The Viking Mira vessel (IMO number 9852456) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI TBA) and registered in Bergen. While under construction, she was Italy-flagged (MMSI 247503600).

History - construction and ownership

The 1,000-passenger Viking Mira offers destination-focused cruising, featuring fewer sea days, extended port stays, and more overnight calls in key destinations. Included onboard amenities feature complimentary Wi-Fi, free shore excursions, and beer and wine served with lunch and dinner at no extra charge.

Each Viking Ocean ship offers a wide range of fare-inclusive amenities and services, including shore excursions, transfers, Wi-Fi, beer and wine (served at lunch and dinner), and access to the Nordic Spa (featuring a steam room, thalassotherapy pool, hot tub, snow grotto, sauna, and cold plunge pool). The aft infinity pool (a resistance pool located on Deck 7) is another signature complimentary facility.

All Viking Ocean ships are built in compliance with the latest maritime safety and navigation regulations and are equipped with advanced safety systems, including “Safe Return to Port.” The vessels also incorporate modern technologies such as energy-efficient hybrid propulsion systems (diesel generators combined with gas turbines), optimized hull forms, and bulbous bows for improved fuel efficiency. The design also integrates solar panels (installed on the Magradome pool cover), reducing overall emissions.

Decks and Cabins

Viking Mira staterooms (499 total) include 49 Suites, 96 Penthouse cabins, and 348 Veranda/Balcony cabins across 16 categories.

All passenger cabins feature private verandas and offer modern amenities, including king-size beds (“Viking Explorer” with deluxe mattresses and linens, cashmere blankets), en-suite bathrooms (heated floor and mirror, glass-door shower, hairdryer, premium bath products by Freyja, bathrobes, slippers, towel warmers), seating area (sofa, coffee table, vanity desk with chair, wardrobe, full-length illuminated mirror), satellite phone, smart HDTV (3D infotainment system with Internet access, room service ordering, movies on demand, live webcam views, Viking Cruises channel), in-room binoculars, electronic safe, individual air-conditioning, coffee machine, and a mini-bar (replenished daily with bottled water, soft drinks, and snacks).

The ship has 10 decks, 6 of which accommodate passenger cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Viking Mira offers the following dining venues: the main Restaurant (dining room), buffet venues (Viking Deli and World Cafe), Aquavit Terrace (alfresco dining), specialty restaurants (Italian Grill and Chef’s Table), and two Private Dining rooms.

Viking OCEAN cruise fares are inclusive of shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and selected beverages (beer and wine at lunch and dinner).

Viking OCEAN’s Mira features signature facilities such as two swimming pools (Main Pool and aft Infinity Pool), a covered pool deck (with Jacuzzi, Bar & Grill), the Viking Living Room (Atrium Lobby Lounge), two cinemas, a modern wellness complex (Spa & Fitness Center and Beauty Salon), the Wintergarden (poolside relaxation area), Aquavit Terrace (aft outdoor bar lounge with Infinity Pool and hot tub), the Torshavn Piano Bar, a dedicated sports deck (Deck 9 with a walking track and outdoor gym/yoga area), Theatre Lounge & Bar, Lobby Bar, and a selection of shops and boutiques.

The wraparound Lanai/Promenade Deck (Deck 2) fully encircles the ship. The two-deck Explorer’s Lounge features a large forward-facing observation area, a rare feature on modern cruise ships. Many onboard spaces are designed to reflect a boutique hotel ambiance.

All Viking OCEAN ships include a “Snow Grotto,” a spa facility where fine snow falls from the ceiling. This experience (believed to support blood circulation) typically involves warming in a sauna or steam room before entering the snow room, which features stone walls illuminated with blue light and sub-freezing floor temperatures. The thermal suite also includes a hot tub, sauna, heated loungers, experiential showers, and a saltwater thermal pool. Access to the Snow Grotto is complimentary for all guests.

Itineraries

Viking Mira’s itinerary program begins with her maiden voyage on June 5, 2026.

The 7-night/8-day inaugural cruise (“Iconic Western Mediterranean”) departs from Civitavecchia-Rome Italy and concludes in Barcelona Spain.

Subsequent voyages include itineraries in Western and Northern Europe, visiting destinations such as the UK, the Faroe Islands (Denmark), Iceland, and Norway.

The inaugural 2026 summer itineraries include “Into the Midnight Sun” (Bergen to London-Greenwich), “Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes” (Bergen to Reykjavik), “Viking Shores and Fjords” (Amsterdam to Bergen), and “Iceland, British Isles and Iberia” (Reykjavik to Barcelona).

All Viking OCEAN ships offer destination-rich itineraries emphasizing fewer sea days and longer port stays, often including overnight calls to maximize the travel experience.

The vessel (Fincantieri Ancona yard/hull number 6331) has a volume of 54,300 GT (gross tonnage), DWT (deadweight tonnage) of 5,100 tons, and a maximum draft of 6.7 m. The powerplant is based on MAN marine diesel engines (models 12V32/9L32/44) with a combined output of 23.52 MW (22,000 hp). The registered shipowner is VIKING OCEAN CRUISES SHIP XII, while the registered manager is VIKING OCEAN CRUISES LTD.

The ship’s namesake is the 2027-built riverboat Amadeus Mira.

Viking Mira was launched (floated out) from drydock at Fincantieri's shipyard in Ancona (Italy) on July 31, 2025. The ceremony was attended by Gilberto Tobaldi (Ancona yard Director) and Gastone Lazzari (Viking OCEAN’s Chief Engineer, Superintendent & Fleet Support, and Newbuilding Site Team Manager).

Among the vessel’s innovative marine technologies are energy-efficient hybrid engines, top-deck solar panels, and an exhaust system designed to minimize emissions. The ship also uses seawater as a lubricant for its propeller shaft bearings. This technology reduces maintenance costs and minimizes pollution risk. Instead of biodegradable oils, seawater is used and discharged directly into the ocean.

Viking OCEAN promotes a “small ship” travel concept. The relatively shallow draft (21 ft / 6.3 m), combined with advanced hull and superstructure design, allows access to smaller ports and harbors. The ship’s size also enables faster and more efficient passenger embarkation and debarkation. A key feature of Viking’s “affordable luxury” product is that all cruise fares include shore excursions in every port of call, regardless of cabin category.

All passenger cabins feature private verandas and are approximately 20% larger than standard staterooms in the ocean cruise market. A notable onboard feature is the main dining room, which can be transformed into an open-air casual dining venue via floor-to-ceiling sliding windows. Interior design for Viking Ocean ships was developed by SMC Design (London-based) and Rottet Studios (Los Angeles-based).

Viking Cruises packages (both river and ocean) are all-inclusive, covering shore excursions, onboard entertainment, dining (including specialty restaurants), selected beverages (beer and wine at lunch and dinner), 24-hour room service, and Wi-Fi.

In April 2018, Fincantieri contracted the Norwegian marine company Scanship to supply the ship’s environmental systems, including food waste processing, waste incineration, garbage handling, and wastewater treatment plants. Scanship’s purification system treats both greywater (from sinks, showers, and baths) and blackwater (from toilets).

In February 2019, Fincantieri contracted the Canadian company Thordon Bearings Inc to supply the propeller shaft bearings for the newbuild. The system (Thordon COMPAC) is seawater-lubricated and operates without grease or oil. This technology has also been specified for subsequent Viking OCEAN vessels (on order or under construction) scheduled for delivery between 2021 and 2027. The systems are supplied and installed by Pedrotec (Thordon’s authorized distributor in Italy).

Inaugural cruise (2026)

The table below shows Viking Mira’s maiden voyage (first cruise), scheduled for June 2026.

The 7-night/8-day itinerary is themed “Iconic Western Mediterranean.”

Godspeed!