Viking Expands Fleet with New Orders
Viking, a leading name in ocean and river cruising, has announced an order for eight additional cruise ships. This brings the total number of new ships on order to 33. The announcement coincides with the appointment of Leah Talactac as Viking’s new President. With this expansion, Viking aims to enhance its offerings in both river and ocean cruising.
Fleet Growth and Future Plans
Viking currently has 24 new river ships either on order or under construction. Sixteen of these vessels are set to enter service by 2026, while an additional eight will join the fleet in 2027 and 2028. In addition to the river ships, Viking has nine ocean ships on order, which are expected to launch between now and 2030. By the end of the decade, Viking plans to have a total of 128 ships in its fleet, comprising 107 river ships, 19 ocean ships, and two expedition ships.
Founded in 1997 by Torstein Hagen, Viking River Cruises quickly established itself as the largest river cruise line globally. The company made its foray into ocean cruising in 2015 with the launch of Viking Star. Since then, it has introduced 11 identical ocean ships, making it the fastest-growing ocean cruise line over the past decade. Viking’s rapid growth can be attributed to its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, as evidenced by over 450 awards received throughout its history. Notably, for two consecutive years, Condé Nast Traveler named Viking the best ocean, river, and expedition cruise line.
In 2024, Viking made headlines with the largest IPO on the NYSE, trading under the ticker $VIK. This financial success, coupled with its expanding fleet, positions Viking for continued growth in the competitive cruise industry.
