Viking has officially welcomed Viking Vesta into its growing fleet. The handover took place at the Ancona shipyard in Italy, with Viking’s Chairman and CEO, Torstein Hagen, and Fincantieri’s General Manager Luigi Matarazzo attending the ceremony.
Designed with Viking’s signature Scandinavian style and guest-first philosophy, Viking Vesta offers 499 staterooms and accommodates up to 998 passengers. Weighing in at around 54,300 gross tons, it’s the 14th ship Fincantieri has delivered to Viking, including two expedition vessels built by its Norwegian arm, Vard.

Viking Vesta is more than just another ship, it’s a symbol of Viking’s broader vision. The company has announced plans to retrofit this vessel with cutting-edge hydrogen propulsion systems, for its sustainability goals towards the future.

Viking recently revealed Viking Libra, set to become the world’s first cruise ship powered entirely by onboard liquefied hydrogen. Currently under construction in Ancona, Viking Libra will launch in late 2026, offering zero-emission operations and access to even the most environmentally sensitive regions. A sister ship, Viking Astrea, is expected in 2027 and will also feature this revolutionary technology.

Viking’s long-standing partnership with Fincantieri, which began in 2012, is stronger than ever. With contracts, orders, and new options in progress, their collaboration now includes 28 ships in the pipeline.

And the future looks busy: Viking plans to add 27 new river ships by 2028 and 10 more ocean vessels by 2031. If all goes to plan, the company’s fleet will soon span 111 river ships and 33 ocean and expedition vessels — a remarkable growth story in an industry rapidly embracing innovation and sustainability.