Viking Welcomes Newest Ocean Ship: Viking Vela Joins Award-Winning Fleet

Viking® proudly announced the addition of its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vela®. The ship was officially delivered on the 3^rd of December at a ceremony held at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. Like all Viking ocean vessels, the Viking Vela is classified as a small ship. Like all Viking ocean vessels, it boasts 499 staterooms and can accommodate up to 998 guests. The Viking Vela will begin her inaugural season of sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

“We are proud to welcome the newest sister ship to our award-winning ocean fleet,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “Together with Fincantieri, we have built the world’s most elegant small ocean ships. With the arrival of our newest vessel, we look forward to introducing even more curious travellers to the Viking way of exploration.”

Innovative and Sustainable Design

Viking is committed to sustainability and innovation. The company is working on a project to develop a partial hybrid propulsion system based on liquid hydrogen and fuel cells for future ocean ships. This technology could enable zero-emission operations in sensitive environments like the Norwegian Fjords. While the Viking Vela has a traditional propulsion system, she is hydrogen-ready and can be retrofitted for future sustainability upgrades.

Celebrating Excellence

The delivery of the Viking Vela follows a series of recent accolades for Viking. The company was rated #1 for Oceans, #1 for Rivers, and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year, making it the first time a travel company has won these three categories back-to-back. Additionally, Viking was named Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples, and Best Line in the Mediterranean in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Cruise Lines ranking for the fourth consecutive year. Viking’s ocean ships were also rated and “Recommended” as part of the Forbes Travel Guide 2024 Star Awards, an independent evaluation for luxury travel brands. Moreover, more than any other line, Viking received seven awards at the 2023 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards across the luxury, river, and expedition categories.

A New Era of Exploration

With the addition of the Viking Vela, Viking continues to expand its fleet of elegant small ocean ships, offering guests unparalleled travel experiences. The ship’s inaugural season will feature itineraries through the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, allowing travellers to explore stunning destinations in luxurious comfort.

For more information about Viking and to book a voyage, visit Viking’s website or contact a professional travel advisor.

Experience the Viking way of exploration and embark on a journey of discovery with the newest addition to the fleet, the Viking Vela.