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Viking to add 10 additional river ships in Europe

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 December 2023 07 December 2023

Viking has announced it will welcome an additional 10 Viking Longships to its river fleet in the coming years. To meet strong demand for European river voyages, eight of the new vessels will sail Viking’s popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, while two additional Viking Longships will join the fleet on the Seine River. The total order is also inclusive of one Viking Longship for the Seine River that was announced in February 2023. Five of the new vessels will be delivered in 2025, with the remaining five to be delivered in 2026. To officially mark the start of construction on all 10 ships, a keel laying ceremony was held on December 5 at Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock, Germany, where all Viking Longships have been built since their debut in 2012.

“Ever since we started Viking 26 years ago, our mission has been to help our guests explore the world in comfort. We focus on the destination, and we build elegant, innovative ships,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We look forward to welcoming these new Longships to our European fleet and introducing The Viking Way of exploration to even more guests in the coming years.”

With a current fleet of 80 river ships and more than 50% of the market share for North American travelers, Viking is by far the industry’s leading river line. The award-winning Viking Longships, which comprise the vast majority of the company’s river fleet, host 190 or fewer guests. Featuring an innovative patented design, the vessels offer a wide variety of stateroom choices, the revolutionary indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace and Viking’s signature Scandinavian design aesthetic. The new vessels feature a hybrid propulsion system with batteries and are also equipped for shore power to reduce reliance on fuel while in port. Onboard solar panels further contribute to the ships’ energy efficiency.

Today’s announcement is the latest significant milestone for the company. Last month, Viking celebrated the float out of its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vela, which will debut in December 2024, and announced a new ship for the Mekong River in 2025, the Viking Tonle. In October, the company made history when it was voted #1 for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. The company was also voted to the top of its categories for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications.

Windstar Cruises begins multi-million dollar refurbishment for its sailing ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 December 2023 07 December 2023

Afficionados of Windstar Cruises’ original three classic sailing yachts – 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit and 342-guest Wind Surf – will be happy to learn the award-winning small ship cruise line is embarking on a multi-million dollar initiative to redesign and update all three yachts.

The multi-year initiative kicks off today, with Wind Star completing phase one of her renovations.

“Our sailing ships are beloved by Windstar guests,” says Windstar’s President Christopher Prelog. “Being on the ship under sail is unforgettable and brings an element of freedom and romance to every voyage.”

Wind Star is the first sailing ship to start the process and is currently in Lisbon, readying to welcome guests onboard. A second phase will include remaining staterooms and dining venues in 2026. Wind Spirit will be fully remodeled and complete its renovations in 2025, while Wind Surf will be in two phases – 2024 and 2026. The project encompasses a full redesign of all public spaces with new layouts, furniture, wall and floor coverings, lighting and custom art. Guest staterooms, Premium Suites, and Owner’s Suites will be fully refurbished including new furniture, interactive televisions, and décor.

“This multi-year, multi- million-dollar initiative is all about providing guests with updated spaces that inspire relaxation, foster connection, and offer multifunctional needs of an intimate sized sailing yacht,” says Stijn Creupelandt, Windstar’s vice president of hotel operations and product development. “Spending time on our yachts is all about moments of connection, whether that be guest to guest or guest to crew, and we want to make sure our spaces reflect that desire.”

Project Highlights for Wind Star, Fall 2023

Lobby – Opening up the space creates a more expansive reception area with added seating and expanded retail space.

Lounge – A redesign of the layout is meant to foster connections between people with a living room-like ambiance. New furniture, lighting and finishes enhance the area for daytime relaxation and evening entertainment.

Spa and Fitness Center – The World Spa by Windstar and gym have been thoughtfully designed with wellness and respite in mind. Both areas have all new finishes, color palettes, and new state-of-the-art equipment.

Pool Deck – A focal point on every voyage, the pool deck has been expanded with removal of the skylight, adding in a new pool and jacuzzi, and extending the pool bar. New furniture includes sofas for lounging and colorful poufs, ottomans, and chairs around the pool. New speakers, lighting, and finishes add to the fun of parties on the pool deck. New fauna and greenery around the pool bar add a pop of color.

Artwork – Through its partnership with Fountainhead Arts in Miami, the line is sourcing a curated collection of artwork for all three yachts. All are specially commissioned for Windstar with a common theme around the convergence of nature, organic materials, and the essence of yachting.

Technology – New, larger televisions in every cabin will be fully loaded with curated content and movies, and the line’s Wayfinder application. Additional WiFi access points will provide a better connection to Starlink internet.

Updates planned for guest staterooms, the main dining room Amphora, and lunch/breakfast restaurant Veranda will occur in phase 2.

“The design inspiration really developed from the yachts themselves,” explains Jessica Payne, Windstar’s manager of interior design. “I studied classic and modern yacht architecture to develop the sophisticated design foundation, and then went on to add pops of fun and peeks of relief inspired by our sails, the sea, the cities we visit, and our guests. Stepping into the lobby as you embark is about feeling a sense of stepping onto your own private yacht but experiencing the service of a luxury boutique hotel.”

Meyer Werft hands over Carnival Jubilee

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 December 2023 05 December 2023

The Meyer Werft team has once again completed a cruise ship and today handed over the Carnival Jubilee to the customer in Bremerhaven on the scheduled date. The newbuilding is the first ship for the Carnival Cruise Line (Miami/USA) to be built in Papenburg.

In recent weeks, the Carnival Jubilee has proven its seaworthiness during extensive technical and nautical sea trials and successfully completed numerous tests. At the same time, work continued on board for completion. The ship is 345.4 metres long, 42 metres wide and can accommodate 5374 passengers (double occupancy). The Carnival Jubilee has a wide range of entertainment options and numerous restaurants. The highlight on the upper deck is the "Ultimate Playground" with a waterpark including large slides and the "BOLT" roller coaster.

"With a strong team effort and a lot of commitment from everyone involved in the MEYER Group and our partner companies, we have once again managed to deliver a particularly innovative cruise ship to Carnival Cruise Line. I would like to thank everyone involved in its completion for their work", says Managing Director Jan Meyer.

“Our first ship built in Papenburg for Carnival Cruise Line is stunning, and being on board to take delivery, I’m proud of all the work our team and our partners at Meyer Werft have done in collaboration to bring Carnival Jubilee to life. Now, we start sailing her home so we can deliver her to our guests just in time for the Christmas holiday,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival Jubilee’s Excel-class sisters, Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, have been extremely well-received by guests sailing from Florida, and so we have high expectations for this ship as she begins to sail from Texas.”

"The project teams at the shipyard and the shipping company, the many suppliers and the classification society have once again done an outstanding job on the Carnival Jubilee despite the many challenges," says Jürgen Storz, the ship's project manager.

The ship will begin its maiden voyage from its home port of Galveston, Texas on 23 December.

Fincantieri and Viking celebrate the float-out of Viking Vela

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 December 2023 01 December 2023

Viking's newest ocean ship – the 998-guest Viking Vela – was floated out this week marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Scheduled to debut in December 2024, the Viking Vela will spend its inaugural season sailing voyages in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe.

“Together with Fincantieri, we have built the world’s most elegant ocean vessels, and it is always a proud day when our newest ship meets water for the first time,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Our small, elegant ocean ships are ranked #1 by both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. We are different than other lines because of all that we do, but Viking also stands apart for all that we do not do. No children. No casinos. No nickel and diming. We look forward to welcoming the Viking Vela to our award-winning fleet next year and introducing even more curious travelers to the Viking way of exploration.”

The traditional float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out of the Viking Vela began at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time when the Viking team cut a cord that signaled water to flow into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set the Viking Vela afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

Classified as a small ship, the Viking Vela has a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons, with 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests. It is slightly larger than Viking's previous ocean ships constructed in Fincantieri.

Viking returns to Antarctica for third season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 November 2023 30 November 2023

Viking is celebrating the start of its third expedition season in Antarctica, as the Viking Octantis and her identical sister ship, the Viking Polaris have arrived again in the region. Both ships will spend the Austral summer in Antarctica, before returning to North America’s Great Lakes for voyages throughout the spring, summer and early fall.

To meet strong demand for Antarctica voyages, Viking has also announced that the 2025-2026 season is now open for booking, including a new 87-day expedition, From the Arctic to Antarctica, sailing from Nuuk, Greenland to Ushuaia, Argentina. Departing in September 2025, this epic journey will allow guests to explore the natural beauty and historic waterways of the Canadian High Arctic before traveling down the east coast of North and South America, calling on ports in the Caribbean, Peru, and exploring the Chilean glaciers before continuing to Antarctica.

“As we welcome guests back for a third season in Antarctica, we are pleased to introduce even more opportunities for the curious traveler to experience this phenomenal region in Viking comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “By creating expeditions for The Thinking Person, our guests are able to explore some of the most pristine destinations on Earth in the most responsible way possible, while also participating in meaningful scientific discoveries. On my own trip to Antarctica, I witnessed firsthand the incredible scenery and wildlife this fascinating continent has to offer. In my view, everyone should experience Antarctica at least once in their life.”

Hagen recently sat down with award-winning British photographer Alastair Miller for an exclusive conversation about his journey to the “White Continent” on board the Viking Polaris. They also discuss the intriguing story about how Hagen’s lifelong passion for travel and interest in far-flung destinations began during his childhood, when he sent a letter to Ushuaia from his home in Norway.

Longitudinal World Cruises

The arrival of Viking’s expedition ships in Antarctica also marks the completion of two inaugural Longitudinal World Cruises – the 71-day Longitudinal World Cruise II, from Duluth to Ushuaia, and the 70-day Longitudinal World Cruise III, from Milwaukee to Ushuaia. These highly-rated Grand Journeys offer guests a variety of travel milestones in a single itinerary, sailing from the heart of North America through the engineering wonders like the Welland and Panama Canals, into the Chilean fjords and finally Antarctica. Following Viking’s upcoming third season in the Great Lakes, the Viking Polaris will sail the Longitudinal World Cruise IV from Milwaukee to Ushuaia in October 2024 and the Viking Octantis will embark on another sailing of the Longitudinal World Cruise II.