Viking orders three ocean ships

Viking Cruises has ordered three more ocean ships, taking its total fleet to six. 

The vessels will be sister ships to the Viking Sea, Star and Sky. The latter was floated out yesterday at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard.

Viking Sea will launch next month while Sky is due for delivery in early 2017. Viking Star launched last year.

The company will have six ships by 2020.

“It is a special day when a new ship meets water for the first time. This is our third ship to be floated out in three years, so it is indeed a proud moment for our entire Viking family,” said Torstein Hagen, founder and chairman of Viking Cruises. “Our first ship, Viking Star, has enjoyed great success in her maiden season. I look forward to her five sister ships experiencing the same respective success as they debut over the coming years.”

The ship’s madrina was Marit Barstad, sister of Torstein Hagen, who cut the cord to allow water to begin flowing into the ship’s building dock.