Viking Vesta

The 2025-built MS Viking Vesta cruise ship is the 12th (the 2nd in the second 6-ship series) of 16 vessels built for Viking OCEAN Cruises Ltd (USA). Vesta is also the 14th Viking ship constructed by Fincantieri.

Viking Vesta's sisterships (with modified design/bigger capacity) are Viking Vela (2024), Viking Mira (2026), Viking Libra (2026), Viking Astrea (2027) and Viking Lyra (2028).

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), with 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 into an agreement with Fincantieri for 6 more ocean vessels, to be delivered in the period 2024-2028. In September 2022, Fincantieri and Viking entered into an agreement for 4 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 (2 units) and 2028 (2 units).

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

The Viking Vesta vessel (IMO number 9852444) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI 257944000) and registered in Bergen.

History - construction and ownership

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

Each of the Viking Ocean ships offers many fare-inclusive / complimentary amenities and services, such as shore excursions, transfers, Wi-Fi, wine and beer (at lunches and dinners), access to the 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 maximum fuel efficiency. Ship design also features solar panels (installed on the Magradome pool cover), a feature common on Viking River Cruises longships, additionally minimizing the vessel's exhaust pollution.

Decks and Cabins

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

All passenger cabins are balconied and offer 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 webcam views, Viking Cruises channel for news, enrichment lectures and port talks), in-room binoculars, electronic safe box, individual air-conditioning, coffee machine and mini-bar (replenished daily with bottled water, soft drinks and snacks).

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

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Viking Vesta offers the following dining venues: Restaurant (dining room), buffets (Viking Deli, World Cafe), Aquavit Terrace (alfresco), specialty venues (Italian Grill, Chef's Table) and 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 Vesta 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 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 large bow-facing observation area, a unique feature that many 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 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 salt-water thermal pool. Snow Grotto access is complimentary to all passengers.

Itineraries

Viking Vesta's itinerary program starts with the Maiden Voyage on July 2, 2025, rescheduled from October 6th, 2025.

Several voyages in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean follow (including B2Bs/back-to-back cruises), based on homeporting in Barcelona (Spain), Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy), Venice (Marghera, Italy), Piraeus-Athens (Greece) and Istanbul (Turkey).

The inaugural itineraries (2025) are themed as "Mediterranean and Italian Sojourn" (Barcelona to Venice), "Mediterranean's Iconic Shores" (Barcelona to Istanbul), "Mediterranean and Adriatic Sojourn" (Barcelona to Piraeus-Athens), "Italian Sojourn" (Rome to Venice), "Italy, The Adriatic and Greece" (Rome to Athens), "Adriatic and Mediterranean Sojourn" (Rome to Istanbul), "Venice, The Adriatic and Greece" (Venice to Athens), "Ancient Adriatic Treasures" (Venice to Istanbul) and "Ancient Mediterranean Treasures" (Athens to Istanbul).

Following the ship's inaugural cruise was the 14-day "Iceland, British Isles and Iberia" itinerary (departures July 14th and 28th) between Barcelona and Reykjavik (Iceland).

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 many overnight port stays.

The vessel (Fincantieri Ancona yard/hull number 6318) has volume 54300 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 5100 tons and max draught 6.7 m. The powerplant is based on MAN marine diesel engines (model 12V32/9L32/44) with combined output 23.52 MW (22000 hp). The registered shipowner is VIKING OCEAN CRUISES SHIP XII, while the registered manager is VIKING OCEAN CRUISES LTD.

The ship is named after Vesta, the virgin goddess of the home and family in Roman religion.

Viking Vesta was constructed at Fincantieri's yard in Ancona, Italy. The vessel (hull/yard number 6318) was launched/floated out from drydock on July 5, 2024, and moved to the nearby dock for final outfitting. The ceremony was attended by Torstein Hagen (Viking's CEO and Chairman) and Gilberto Tobaldi (Fincantieri Ancona's Director).

Fincantieri delivered Viking Vesta to Viking Cruises on June 26, 2025. The official ceremony was attended by Torstein Hagen and Luigi Matarazzo (Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division's General Manager). The official christening ceremony was held on June 30th in Split, Croatia. The ceremony was led by godmother Lene Tangevald-Jensen (Norwegian journalist), attended by Torstein Hagen, and featured musical performances by the Norwegian musicians Sissel Kyrkjebo (soprano, godmother of Viking Jupiter) and Tor Jaran Apold (violinist).

Among the vessel's innovative marine technologies are her energy-saving hybrid engines, top-deck solar panels and pollution-minimizing exhaust system. This ship also uses seawater as lubricant for her propeller shaft bearings. This technology lowers the vessel's maintenance costs and reduces the risk of pollution. Replacing biodegradable oils, the water is discharged directly into the ocean.

Viking OCEAN represents a "smaller ship" travel concept. The vessels' relatively shallow draft (21 ft / 6.3 m), design (hull and superstructure) and technology allow direct access even to small ports and harbors. The ship's smaller size also ensures easier and faster passenger embarkation/debarkation. Another unique feature for the "affordable luxury" ocean cruising market is that, regardless of cabin category, all Viking Ocean deals are price-inclusive of shore excursions in all ports on the cruise ship itinerary.

All passenger cabins have private verandas and are ~1/5th larger than average standard staterooms on the ocean cruising market. An interesting feature of the ship is the dining room. This venue can be transformed into an outdoor casual dining place thanks to its floor-to-ceiling sliding windows. Viking Ocean ships' interiors were contracted to SMC Design (London-based interior design company) and Rottet Studios (LA-based hotel design company).

Viking Cruises deals (on all river and ocean liners) are inclusive of shore excursions (land tours), onboard entertainment and dining (including at specialty restaurants), drinks and alcohol (beer, wine / at lunch and dinner), 24-hour room service and Wi-Fi.

In April 2018, Fincantieri contracted the Norwegian marine company Scanship to supply all the liner's cleaning systems - food waste processing, waste incineration, garbage handling and wastewater treatment plants. Scanship's wastewater purification system treats both greywater (sullage/sinks, showers, baths) and blackwater (toilets).

In February 2019, Fincantieri contracted the Canadian company Thordon Bearings Inc to provide the newbuild's bearings for the propeller shaft. The ship's propeller shaft system (Thordon COMPAC) is seawater-lubricated and based on 100% grease-oil-free bearings. The innovative propeller shaft system was also ordered for all following Viking OCEAN units (on order or under construction) with scheduled deliveries between 2021-2027. These systems are supplied and installed by Pedrotec (Thordon's authorized distributor in Italy).

Inaugural cruise (2025)

The next table shows Viking Vesta's Maiden Voyage/first cruise in 2025. Curiously, the ship was initially scheduled to start revenue operations in October 2025, with the first departure from Barcelona on Oct 6th (7-night/8-day "Iconic Western Mediterranean" itinerary).

Godspeed!