Viking Yi Dun

The 2017-built (as MS Viking Sun) cruise ship Viking Yi Dun (fka Zhao Shang Yi Dun) is the 4th in a series of identical vessels built for Viking OCEAN Cruises. In 2021-2026, the ship was transferred to the joint venture Viking China Coastal Cruise Company. Viking OCEAN's fleet consists of identically designed, Fincantieri-built units, all of which are Norway-flagged.

The vessel (IMO number 9725433) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI 258234000) and registered in Oslo.

In October 2025, it was announced that in 2026, Viking Sun would be deployed in Europe/Mediterranean after a 4-year deployment in China. The Western and Eastern Mediterranean voyages target exclusively Chinese tourists, offering amenities, services and signage in Mandarin only. The schedule (August through December) listed 8- to 13-day itineraries, 5 departure/homeports (Venice, Civitavecchia-Rome, Barcelona, Piraeus-Athens, Istanbul) and call ports in 9 countries (Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, France, Monaco, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia).

On March 24, 2026, the ship was officially renamed from "Zhao Shang Yi Dun" to "Viking Yi Dun". The ceremony was held dockside at Shenzhen's Shekou International Cruise Home Port. The vessel was also reflagged from China (MMSI 414515000) to Norway (MMSI 258234000). Note: Viking Sun was also Norway-flagged (MMSI 257179000).

History - construction and ownership

When operated by Viking OCEAN (2017-2020), the 930-passenger ship Viking Sun offered destination-oriented cruising experiences, with few at-sea days, long in-port stays and overnights. Among the boat's features are complimentary Wi-Fi, free shore excursions, and wine and beer at no charge during lunch and dinner.

In early April 2019, Viking and China Merchants Group (China's first commercial corporation / founded in 1872) unveiled a plan to launch a new cruise line (joint venture company) for the Chinese market. China Merchants Group's shipbuilding subsidiaries will design and construct the newbuilds for the new company. As of 2019, Viking Cruises fully owned and operated a fleet of 6 ocean liners plus 72 riverboats, almost all of which are of the patented Longship-Class.

On November 25, 2020, China Merchants Shekou and Viking officially signed the joint venture agreement for a separate China-flagged fleet of sea liners for coastal cruises. In mid-December 2020, Viking and China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings Co Ltd officially announced the creation of the new joint venture company "Viking Cruises China", focused exclusively on mid-sized luxury ship voyages in China.

The new domestic travel brand (China Coastal Cruise Project) was scheduled for inauguration in 2021-Q1, with Viking Sun transferred to the joint venture.

• In January 2021, the vessel changed registry - from Norway (MMSI number 257179000) to China (MMSI 414515000) - to qualify for the Chinese coasting trade. China as flag state allows the ship to visit seaports under China's cabotage rules, which regulate the shipping of passengers and/or goods between two Chinese ports. The brand's enrichment program is based on shipboard events (lectures, entertainment) and shore excursions themed on local history, traditions, nature and food.
• On January 19, 2021, Viking Sun left Port Mukran (near Sassnitz, Germany) and, via Skagen (Jan 23), headed to Valletta, Malta, with estimated arrival on Jan 31. The boat arrived in China (at Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Terminal) on March 15, 2021, and was officially handed over to Viking-China Merchants in mid-April.

On April 27, 2021, the boat was officially reflagged to China.

On June 26, 2021, Viking Sun was officially renamed "Zhao Shang Yidun" (早上 猗顿), meaning/translated as "China Merchants Eden". The naming ceremony was held at homeport Shenzhen-Shekou, led by godmother Duan Xianghui (China Merchants Group Director).

The new Viking-China brand's inauguration was initially scheduled for August 22, 2021, but was eventually postponed to October 1st (Maiden Voyage / 8-day "Charming South China Sea" itinerary roundtrip from Shekou-Shenzhen to Sanya).

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) and 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 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 Sun staterooms (465 total) include 47 Suites, 32 Penthouses and 386 Veranda/Balcony cabins in 18 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, 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 Sun 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 Sun deals are inclusive of shore excursions, complimentary alcohol (wine and beer at lunch and dinner) and Wi-Fi.

Viking Sun cruise 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.

After the transfer to China Merchants Viking Cruises, unique show productions were developed for the Star Theater Lounge (via partnership with SMG Live). The new show program combines Broadway-style classic musicals, traditional Chinese dance performances and surprise performances by different guests on each voyage. The onboard enrichment program was expanded with lectures themed on China's culture, arts and food, as well as natural sciences. The reading areas throughout the boat offer 2000+ handpicked books, including numerous best-sellers and nature-themed literature. Onboard dining was expanded via new menus developed by Michael Rosenblum (award-winning chef and writer specializing in Chinese food).

All Viking Ocean ships have an onboard "snow room". The 2013-launched Viking Grace (2800-passenger ferry ship operated by VIKING LINE) was the first-ever vessel with a snow room. Viking Cruises' "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.

Viking China itineraries (Zhao Shang Yi Dun)

Since July 2021, the boat (renamed "Zhao Shang Yi Dun") is operated by the Viking-China Merchants joint venture "China Coastal Cruise Project". The brand's inauguration/Maiden Voyage was initially scheduled for August 22, 2021 (8-day "Charming South China Sea" itinerary roundtrip from homeport Shenzhen and visiting Sanya). However, due to China's evolving COVID pandemic (the Delta variant), the company postponed all voyages "until further notice". Eventually, the Maiden Voyage departed on October 1, 2021.

In 2023, Viking China introduced two new voyages.

The 7-day "Charming South China Sea Journey" itinerary is roundtrip from Shenzhen and visits Sanya and Yangjiang City's Hailing Island.

The 7-day "Southeast Coast Cultural Journey" itinerary is between Shenzhen and Shanghai (northbound and southbound) and visits Sanya, Hailing Island, Xiamen and Zhoushan.

Viking OCEAN itineraries (Viking Sun)

Viking Sun itinerary program was based on cruises in Southern and Northern Europe (Baltic and Mediterranean seas). Repositioning Atlantic coastal routes were operated with one-way itineraries in spring and fall.

In 2018, the ship operated Viking Ocean's first-ever world cruise (141-day itinerary USA to UK / Miami to London), visiting a total of 64 ports (35 countries) on 5 continents. World Voyage 2018's itinerary started on December 15, 2017, ending on May 5, 2018 (see more in the wiki section below). The ship's "World Voyage 2019" had a 128-day Miami-London itinerary.

In 2018, the liner also made an inaugural visit to Australia. The vessel was booked into White Bay Cruise Terminal (Sydney, NSW) on January 12, 2018, for an overnight stay. The ship was also booked to return to Sydney Harbour (February 10), mooring overnight at Point Piper Buoy.

In May 2018, Viking OCEAN announced the company's new (world's longest-ever continuous) "Ultimate World Cruise 2019". The 245-day itinerary visited 113 ports (59 countries, 6 continents) and featured 22 overnights and a full circumnavigation of the globe. Departing from London-Greenwich (August 31, 2019), the 8-month cruise marked the company's 3rd "Around the World" voyage. Read more in the ship's "wiki" section.

In September 2023, a new itinerary was announced - the 8-day "South China Sea Cruise" roundtrip from Shenzhen/Shekou. The first voyage was scheduled to leave Shenzhen on December 3rd, visiting Vietnam (Ha Long Bay and Da Nang/Hue) and China (Hong Kong).

In December 2023, Viking OCEAN opened international bookings for voyages on the ship (marketed as "Viking Yi Dun") scheduled for 2024. The special itineraries were themed as:

• 9-night/10-day "NEW! China Discovery" between Hong Kong/Shenzhen and Shanghai (overnight), visiting Xiamen, Pingtan Island (aka Haitan Island/Fuzhou City, Fujian), Dongtou/Wenzhou (Zhejiang) and Zhoushan/Shenzhen.
• 14-night/15-day "NEW! Classic China & the Coast" from Beijing (2-night/3-day overnight pre-cruise hotel stay) to Hong Kong/Shenzhen, visiting Xian (overnight), Shanghai (overnight), Zhoushan, Dongtou, Pingtan Island, Xiamen, Shenzhen, and ending in Hong Kong (from Shenzhen).
• 19-night/20-day "NEW! Wonders of China" (cruisetour with included domestic flights and land transfers) leaving roundtrip from Beijing (2-night/3-day overnight pre-cruise hotel stay), departure from Shanghai, visits Zhoushan, Dongtou, Pingtan Island, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Chengdu (Jin River/Yangtze), flight to Lhasa Tibet (overnight), flight to Xian (overnight) and back to Beijing.

Viking Yi Dun's cruisetour prices per cabin started from US$4500 (China Discovery), US$7000 (Classic China & the Coast) and US$11000 (Wonders of China).

In April 2024, Viking introduced the "Spirit of Mongolia" cruisetour extension. The 5-night (pre- or post-cruise) guided land tour to Mongolia offers a visit to the Gobi Desert out of Ulaanbaatar (aka Ulan Bator). Other ex-China cruise extensions included departures/tours from Hong Kong and Beijing.