Viking Orders Two More Cruise Ships for 2032 Delivery

Viking Cruises has locked in orders for two additional small ships, exercising options from a 2025 contract with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The vessels will launch in 2032, each carrying 998 passengers and weighing 54,300 gross tons. They join a growing fleet of similarly sized ships built to access remote ports and pristine destinations where larger cruise ships cannot go.

The new ships will be constructed at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard on Italy's Adriatic coast. They will match the specifications of Viking's recent deliveries, including Viking Libra (debuting November 2026) and Viking Astrea (June 2027), as well as the existing Viking Vesta and Viking Mira. While the companies have not disclosed a price, Fincantieri describes the contract as "large," valuing it between 500 million and 1 billion euros, roughly 584 million to 1.17 billion US dollars.

Both ships will feature the latest environmental technology and safety systems, built to meet current international maritime regulations. The emphasis on advanced safety reflects growing passenger concern following recent incidents: prolonged port closures due to Middle East tensions and the 2026 grounding of the small ship Fiji Princess on a coral reef. For expedition cruisers visiting isolated destinations, these upgrades matter. Modern safety systems reduce risk in remote areas where rescue resources are limited and ecosystems are fragile.

With these two ships, Fincantieri will have built or will build a total of 28 vessels for Viking, solidifying one of the industry's most enduring shipbuilder-operator partnerships. The 2032 delivery date gives Viking time to assess demand for small-ship cruising as more travelers seek alternatives to mega-ships and prefer access to smaller ports and less crowded destinations.

Originally reported by Cruise Hive, Melissa Mayntz (August 20, 2026).