Viking Ocean Cruises officially entered the ocean cruising market with the delivery of its first ocean vessel, Viking Star. The new ship departs from Istanbul next week, sailing through the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic en route to Bergen, Norway, where she will be christened next month.
“This has been a remarkable journey, and I am grateful to everyone at Viking and Fincantieri who has worked tirelessly to turn our vision into reality,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises. “With Viking Star’s maiden voyage and christening now within sight, we are ready to bring our destination-focused experiences to ocean cruising.”
The all-veranda Viking Star accommodates 930 passengers across 465 cabins. Created by the same interior design team behind Viking’s award-winning fleet of Viking Longships, the light-filled vessel showcases modern Scandinavian décor and a calm, refined atmosphere designed to highlight the destinations she visits.
Viking Star is the first of three ocean ships on order; sister ships Viking Sea and Viking Sky are currently under construction and will expand the line’s ocean offerings when delivered.
Passengers sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises benefit from included shore excursions in every port, as well as onboard cultural enrichment programming. The ship’s schedule features academic lecturers, local experts and interactive demonstrations that emphasize history, culture and the places visited rather than onboard entertainment alone.
With an emphasis on destination immersion, comfortable veranda staterooms and understated Scandinavian design, Viking Star represents the company’s transition from river cruising to a broader ocean portfolio. The ship’s services and programming are curated to appeal to travelers seeking culturally rich itineraries and meaningful shore experiences.
As the line expands its ocean fleet, Viking positions itself to offer a consistent guest experience across both river and ocean ships—focused on thoughtful design, educational enrichment and shore-based discovery rather than the high-energy, onboard spectacle typical of some other cruise models. The coming deliveries of Viking Sea and Viking Sky will reinforce that approach and increase available itineraries for travelers looking to explore coastal and transoceanic routes with a destination-oriented philosophy.