Viking Star named during Bergen's Norwegian Constitutional Day celebrations on 17 May
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Viking Ocean Cruises officially launched its first-ever ocean cruise ship in Bergen, Norway on 17 May as the city held its annual Norwegian Constitution Day celebrations.
Named by mayor of Bergen Trude Drevland, the 930-passenger Viking Star arrived in Bergen after completing her maiden voyage, which departed Istanbul, Turkey, on 11 April. The ship visited destinations that will become regular ports of call across the Mediterranean and Western Europe including Athens and Santorini, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Spain; Barcelona and Seville, Spain; Gibraltar; Lisbon, Portugal; Paris, France; and London, UK.
Berthed in Bergen harbour, Viking Star served as a backdrop to a concert featuring performers connected to Bergen including Norwegian soprano Sissel, actor Bjarte Hjelmeland, singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche, violinist Charlie Siem and comedy duo Ylvis.
Following the concert, christening ceremony and a fireworks display, Viking Star embarked on a voyage to Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin, Germany; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Finland; and Stockholm, Sweden.
The visit marked the first time that Viking has chosen Bergen as a homeport for one of its ships in ten years.
“We believe the arrival of Viking Star signals a new era in destination-focused cruising and I could not be more proud that she will call my favorite city in the world home,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises. “This is a ship that was built for exploration and designed with our Scandinavian heritage in mind and our guests will experience it from the moment they step onboard.”
Featuring modern, Scandinavian-inspired interiors designed by London-based SMC Design and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios, the 14-deck ship features five stateroom categories; a pool with retractable dome, a glass-backed infinity pool cantilevered off the stern; a two-deck Explorers’ Lounge at the bow; the Wintergarden; and a spa with a sauna and a traditional ‘snow grotto’. Norwegian artwork is also displayed in the restaurants and public spaces.
Engineered to a small scale, the ships will be able to directly access most ports, providing an easy and efficient embarkation and debarkation process. They all feature energy-efficient hybrid engines, hydro-dynamically optimised streamlined hulls and bows for maximum fuel efficiency. In addition, onboard solar panels and equipment that minimises exhaust pollution will enable the vessels to meet strict environmental regulations.
Viking Star is one of three ocean cruise ships on order for Viking Cruises, two additional ships, Viking Sea and Viking Sky, are currently under construction.