Viking Sun, the fourth of six cruise ships Viking Ocean Cruises has ordered from Fincantieri, has been launched today at the shipyard in Ancona. Interior fittings will now begin, leading the vessel to its delivery, scheduled in autumn 2017, Fincantieri said in a statement.

The launching was introduced by the traditional and well-wishing “coin ceremony”, consisting, according to an ancient maritime tradition, in welding a silver dollar on the last deck of the ship. Godmother of the ceremony was Yi Lou, Vice President of China Merchant Bank Financial Leasing.

Viking Sun, as its sister ships, will be positioned in the small cruise ship segment. In fact, with a gross tonnage of about 47,800 tons, it will have 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers, with a total capacity of over 1,400 people, including the crew.