Viking Sea Marks 10 Years in Service After 2016 Delivery
The ship was named on May 5, 2016, on the Thames River in Greenwich, with Karine Hagen as godmother and fireworks after the ceremony.
Viking Sea has reached 10 years in service. The ship was delivered from Fincantieri’s Ancona yard on March 24, 2016, as the second ocean ship for Viking Cruises. The 930-guest vessel is spending summer 2026 in Europe before shifting to the Caribbean and South America program for the 2026-27 winter season.
Viking Sea was followed by 11 sister ships, including Viking Vesta in 2025, while Viking Mira and Viking Libra are due to join the fleet in 2026.
Summer in Europe, winter in the Caribbean
The vessel is scheduled for European sailings from several homeports over the coming months, including Tarragona, Chioggia, Istanbul and Piraeus, with itineraries in Spain, Italy, Turkey and Greece.
In October, the ship is due to reposition from Barcelona to San Juan on a 13-night voyage. That crossing will lead into a series of 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from Puerto Rico.
The winter program also includes a 21-night South America and Amazon sailing in December, with calls in Brazil, French Guiana and Tobago.
Second ship in Viking’s ocean fleet
Built in 2016, Viking Sea is a 47,000-ton ship measuring 745 feet in length. The vessel has 464 veranda cabins and carries 465 crew members.
After delivery, Viking Sea opened with sailings in the Mediterranean and Western Europe. Its naming ceremony took place May 5, 2016, on the Thames River in Greenwich, where Karine Hagen, daughter of Viking founder Torstein Hagen, served as godmother.
The christening program included performances by Norwegian soprano Sissel and The Olav’s Choir, followed by fireworks. During its inaugural season, the ship sailed Scandinavia and Baltic cruises before moving into Eastern and Western Mediterranean itineraries.
Viking’s next fleet additions will extend the same ocean-ship series that began with Viking Star and Viking Sea. Viking Libra is planned as the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, with zero-emission operating capability, and Viking has 10 more ocean ships on order at Fincantieri through 2031, including two expedition vessels.
