Viking Names New Ocean Ship Viking Vesta in Croatia
With a traditional ceremony held in Split, Croatia, Viking has officially named its newest ocean cruise ship, the Viking Vesta.
The event marked a significant milestone for the Norwegian cruise company, coinciding with the celebration of the tenth anniversary of its ocean voyages. The ship’s godmother was Norwegian journalist Lene Tangevald-Jensen, who carried out the ceremonial ribbon-cutting using a Viking axe, allowing a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break against the ship’s hull—an age-old tradition.
Viking Vesta christening (1)
Viking Vesta christening (1)
The ceremony featured notable artistic performances, including appearances by crossover soprano Sissel Kyrkjebø, godmother of the Viking Jupiter, and Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold, who added a musical touch to the occasion. Viking selected Split for the christening of the Viking Vesta, a symbolic city of Adriatic culture and a bridge between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, where the ship now continues its inaugural season.
Lene Tangevald-Jensen, well known for her long-standing career in journalism and philanthropy, has spent three decades writing for Norway’s leading financial publications, Kapital and Finansavisen, authoring over 500 interviews, including one with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. She is also active in social initiatives through her contributions to the street magazine =OSLO and the LEON Trust, a foundation that supports education in Kenya, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Lene strongly believes in the power of small gestures to bring about meaningful change. She is involved with Make-A-Wish Norway and is the founder of the TBS Gallery in Oslo, dedicated to sculptor Tore Bjørn Skjølsvik.
As a close friend and neighbor of Viking’s founder, Torstein Hagen, Lene is considered a cherished part of the extended Viking family. In 2022, she joined an expedition to Antarctica aboard the Viking Polaris, an experience she documented in a film capturing the untouched beauty of the White Continent. It was a journey that further solidified her life philosophy, inspired by the mantra: “Growth happens when we dare to try—even when failure seems inevitable.”
The Viking Vesta is the latest addition to Viking’s ocean fleet and reflects the company’s philosophy of elegant design, small ship comfort, and meticulous attention to detail. With a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons, the ship features 499 all-veranda staterooms and accommodates up to 998 guests. Inspired by Scandinavian aesthetics, the ship’s public spaces are bathed in natural light and offer plentiful options for al fresco dining.
Viking Vesta christening (1)
Viking Vesta christening
Viking Vesta christening
The christening of the Viking Vesta comes at a time of great success for the company. Viking has been named #1 for Ocean Cruises, River Cruises, and Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year and received similar accolades in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. Viking is the only travel company to be honored in all three categories by both publications for two consecutive years. Additionally, it was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples, and Best in the Mediterranean for the fourth year running, and received a recommendation from the Forbes Travel Guide in the 2024 Star Awards. Cruise Critic also awarded Viking with seven honors across the Luxury, River, and Expedition categories in its 2024 Best in Cruise Awards.
With Viking Vesta, Viking strengthens its commitment to ocean cruising, offering guests a refined and culturally immersive travel experience. A ship that merges Nordic tradition, innovation, and hospitality, she is now ready to sail toward new horizons in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
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