Viking Marks 100th Ship with Global Nine-Vessel Christening
Viking has reached a remarkable milestone, celebrating the christening of nine new river ships on October 21, officially expanding its fleet to 100 vessels across river, ocean, and expedition categories.
The main ceremony took place aboard Viking Honir in Basel, Switzerland, with live connections to the other eight ships stationed around the world — three in Rostock, Germany; two in Luxor, Egypt; and one each in Porto, Portugal; My Tho, Vietnam; and Paris, France. All seven godmothers and two godfathers attended the Basel event, joining the global celebration virtually with their respective ships.
Viking Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen, who founded the company 28 years ago with just four Russian river vessels, reflected on the brand’s growth and innovation. “We have always been a bit different from others in the travel industry — we like to be contrarian,” he said. “From modernizing river voyages to reinventing ocean travel and perfecting the expedition experience, we’ve reached 100 ships through our innovative approach and commitment to experiential travel.”
The christening ceremony, briefly touched by rain, continued under clear skies with a gala dinner at a nearby villa outside Basel. Entertainment included performances by Norwegian soprano Sissel Kyrkjebø, Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold, the Viennese Residence Orchestra, and a Basel girls’ choir.
The event honored the nine vessels and their sponsors:
- Michele Saegesser – Viking Honir
- Sara Conley – Viking Dagur
- Allison Becker – Viking Nerthus
- Chitra Goswami – Viking Gyda
- Yumi Kim – Viking Eldir
- Michelle Patterson – Viking Annar
- Laura Perlman – Viking Tonle
- Youssef Fouad Amin – Viking Thoth
- Sherif El Banna – Viking Amun
Viking’s milestone event underscores its continued leadership in river and ocean cruising, solidifying its position as one of the world’s most expansive and innovative cruise brands. For more information, visit www.Viking.com.
Related News: https://airguide.info/category/cruise