Viking announced the arrival of the Viking Saturn, the company’s newest ocean ship. On Wednesday morning, the ship was unveiled for delivery at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy.
Viking also announced that her ceremonial godmother, Ann Ziff, the respected philanthropist and Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera and long-time Viking cultural partner, would formally name the Viking Saturn in New York City on 6 June 2023.
Following the naming ceremony, the ship will spend her inaugural summer sailing two new Viking voyages: Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada, between New York City and Reykjavik, and Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer, between Reykjavik and Bergen.
“We are very proud to welcome the newest sister ship to our award-winning ocean fleet,” stated Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen. “We are also grateful that Ann Ziff has honoured us by serving as the Viking Saturn’s godmother.” Ann has been a Viking guest for many years, and she shares our passion for the arts and cultural enrichment. Her contributions to the Metropolitan Opera, our long-time cultural partner, and many other vital causes are awe-inspiring.”
“I am delighted to be the Viking Saturn’s godmother,” Ann Ziff stated. “For those who are curious about the world, there is no better way to explore and immerse yourself than from the comfort of a Viking ship.”
Ann Ziff, the Viking Saturn’s Godmother, is a dedicated philanthropist who supports the arts, education, culture, and environmental conservation. Ann Ziff is Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera. She serves on several boards, including the Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts, Sing for Hope, the World Science Festival, and the Los Angeles Opera.
She co-founded Smile Train and served on the board of Maloto, an organisation that offers education and a home for mistreated and abandoned girls in Malawi. She is passionate about integrating culture and arts into the lives of needy children. Tamsen Z, Ms Ziff’s namesake fine jewellery company, designs and manufactures one-of-a-kind creations inspired by her love of culture, art, and music and her travels as a devoted Viking guest.
The Viking Saturn is the most recent addition to Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet of identical sister ships. Viking’s Ocean ships are classified as “small ships” by Cruise Critic, with a gross tonnage of 47,800 tonnes and 465 guestrooms that accommodate 930 passengers; the ships offer all veranda staterooms, Scandinavian design, light-filled public spaces, and many al fresco dining options.
Viking Saturn is being delivered as the company celebrates its 25th anniversary. Following several years of rapid growth, the company recorded its most successful single month of bookings in January 2023.
Viking has added 17 ships to its fleet since 2020, including eight new Viking Longships on European rivers, seven purpose-built boats on the Mekong, Nile, and Mississippi rivers, four new, identical ocean ships, and two Polar Class expedition vessels.
Most recently, Food & Wine readers selected Viking “Best Cruise Line” in the publication’s inaugural Global Tastemakers Awards. In March 2023, the company won six Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards, including “Best Overall Line,” “Best River Line,” and “Best Dining” for its ocean and adventure excursions.
Furthermore, Viking has been rated the #1 Ocean Line and #1 River Line by Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, making it the only line in history to be named #1 in both categories by both publications.
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