Viking Cruises Names 7 New Riverboats
By Judi Cohen.
I am in the beautiful city of Basel, Switzerland, the headquarters of Viking Cruises, for the naming celebration for seven new river boats on March 19. The sweet sounds from a trio of alpenhorn players surrounded by red and white balloons and flowers summoned the commencement of formalities on the top decks of two connected new vessels,Viking SigrunandViking Einar.
The naming preparations begin! * Photo: Judi Cohen
The Viking TirandViking Valiwere named in Brusbuttel, Germany, while Viking SigynandViking Ullur were named in Rostock, Germany — all six carry 190 passengers and are referred to as “Viking Longships.” The smaller 106-passenger Viking Helgrim was named in Porto, Portugal.
With vessels in Switzerland, Germany and Portugal, the naming ceremony was done by connecting the boats via satellite across four European cities. We watched on large video screens near the main stage up on deck.
Chairman Hagen and officials and crew of the new Viking vessels. * Photos: Judi Cohen
Attending the naming were Viking cruise staff and crew from around the world, many in uniform, joined by journalists, travel industry representatives and invited guests. Six of the women honored to be the boats’ godmothers were all distinguished Viking employees; the seventh was the wife of a Viking executive.
One by one they stepped forward for the naming of their ship, to say with great pride, “May your passengers and crew always be safe and may you always have a hand’s width of water beneath your keel.”
With the push of button, a bottle of Norwegian Gammel Opland aquavit was released and broken on the bow of each new vessel.
Chairman Hagen and the 7 godmothers of the new vessels. * Photo: Judi Cohen
The festivities continued at a gala reception and dinner nearby at the renowned Swiss art museum, the Beyeler Foundation, where we eagerly viewed the celebrated exhibition “The Young Picasso – Blue and Rose Periods.”
Picasso’s Arelquin Asis (1901) in the Beyeler Foundation in Basel, Switzerland. * Image: Beyeler Foundation
There were presentations and a brilliant performance by Alma Deutschmark, the 14-year-old composer, violinist, pianist and child prodigy, who is a favourite of Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen.
At a press conference earlier in the day, Chairman Hagen smiled and said, “We don’t have a lot of news, we’re a little boring with no new bells or whistles.”
However, in the next breath he affirmed Viking Cruises’ astounding growth.
The river fleet is expected to continue to grow from 72, with yet another seven river cruise vessels under construction. Plus, six more oceangoing ships are under construction, to join the current six, with four more under option.
Hagen said, “this does not include the expedition vessels that are under construction in Norway … and we won’t say a lot about them; at some stage we will.”
Stay tuned!
The pair of new Viking Longships in Basel, Switzerland, awaiting the naming. * Photo: Judi Cohen
During his presentation Hagen reflected on the word luxury.
“I have outlawed the use of the word luxury. When you are on a river vessel, and you compare it to others, make your own judgement and look at all the details. I think we are elegant; we are hopefully understated and hopefully timeless.”
He went on to say, “we don’t take great pride in having various designers for various ships. We believe that when we get it right, just repeat it.”
Hagan then gave a shout-out to Richard Reveire, Viking’s long-time designer.
Viking’s Karine Hagen with Charlie, the puppy of her beloved lab Finse who is the subject of Hagen’s series of travel books for children, “The World of Finse.” * Photo: Judi Cohen
RELATED: Here’s Judi’s review of her mini Rhine cruise aboard Viking Einar.
Writer Judi Cohen aboard the new 190-passenger Viking Einar.
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HEIDI SARNA
Good article Judi. Looking forward to reading the one on the cruise. Love Viking!