VESSEL REVIEW | Viking Vela – Viking's 998-guest newbuild for Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has handed over a new cruise ship ordered by US-based Viking Cruises. The Norwegian-flagged Viking Vela is the first in a new series of vessels that Viking will place in the small cruise ship segment.
The newbuild has a length of 239 metres (784 feet), a beam of 30.8 metres (101 feet), a draught of 6.4 metres (21 feet), a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300, and 499 cabins in six classes across six decks to accommodate a total of 998 guests. Each guest cabin comes with its own private balcony.
Broad selection of amenities
The stateroom options include an owner’s suite with a total area of 138 square metres (1,490 square feet). Features within this suite include a library, a private sauna, a conference room with seating for 20, and a dining area for six people. There are suites in two other categories with smaller dining and living room spaces, and the smallest suite category includes two cabins that are also wheelchair-accessible. All suites and single staterooms come with free wifi connectivity, 24-hour room service, mini-bars, and bathrooms with heated floors.
The other onboard facilities encompassing 14 decks include a casual dining restaurant, a cafe, a bar, a music lounge, an indoor/outdoor lounge and dining area, a library, a spa, a cinema, a gym, a fitness centre, a salon, a sports area, and two pools.
The library with a wide selection of books on history, culture, and other related subjects is incorporated in place of other recreational venues such as casinos. This is in line with Viking's aim of being the "The Thinking Person's Cruise Line" with the focus on educating rather than entertaining guests during each voyage.
The propulsion arrangement, which can be configured in the future to also enable operation on hydrogen fuel, can deliver a speed of 20 knots. The arrangement also includes exhaust gas aftertreatment systems to help reduce harmful emissions.
Incorporating familiar features from the Viking fleet
Viking Vela is the thirteenth ship to be delivered to Viking by the Fincantieri Group. This number also includes two expedition cruise vessels built by Fincantieri’s Norwegian subsidiary Vard. Despite belonging to different series, the ships in the Viking fleet were designed to have nearly identical layouts with Scandinavian-inspired elements for a sense of continuity and familiarity, especially for repeat guests.
Viking Vela’s initial itineraries will encompass the Mediterranean, the Adriatic Sea, the British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and Atlantic Canada.
