Viking celebrated its 25th birthday on September 30 by gathering three different types of cruise ships. A seaplane, the company’s newest expedition ship, and a Viking river-long voyage gathered in Amsterdam to begin the celebration.
Since 1997, Viking has become a global player in the cruise industry. Sailing three different types of cruises, ocean, river, and expedition, has helped the company see rapid growth over the last 25 years.
This celebration is just the most recent event for Viking. This year they have also welcomed eight new Viking longships, new purpose-built vessels on the Mekong, Nile and Mississippi Rivers, and two new expedition ships. Before year’s end they will also welcome two new identical seaplanes.
Viking brought together their newest ocean vessel, Viking Mars, a cruise ship, Viking Mani, a longship river cruise vessel, and Viking Polaris, the second and newest expedition vessel for the celebration.
“Today is historic for Viking – to celebrate our 25th anniversary, to see all classes of our ships sailing together for the first time, and to name our unprecedented new expedition ships.” Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said. “I am very proud of what we have achieved in our first 25 years. And in our view, we are just getting started. Where do we go next? Onwards.”
The ceremony also included naming the cruise lines two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Since the ships are both intended for far-away destinations, Viking chose two veteran explorers as Godmother, Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft.
Both godmothers of the ships were in attendance and offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the new ships. Since the Viking Octantis is currently sailing the Great Lakes, Liv Arnesen, its godmother, offered her blessing remotely via video.
Following the ceremony the ships sailed in convoy through the North Sea Canal from Amsterdam to the port of Ijmuiden.
How about you? Have you sailed Viking?