Viking has taken delivery of its newest ocean ship, Viking Saturn, at a ceremony at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

The line also revealed that the vessel will be officially named in New York on 6 June 2023 by its ceremonial godmother, Ann Ziff, who is chair of the Metropolitan Opera, described as “a longtime Viking cultural partner”.

Following this, Viking Saturn will spend its inaugural summer sailing two new itineraries.

These are the Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada voyage, between New York and Reykjavik, and the Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer cruise, between Reykjavik and Bergen.

Viking ‘proud’ to welcome Saturn

The line’s chairman Torstein Hagen said: “We are very proud to welcome the newest sister ship to our award-winning ocean fleet.

“We are also grateful that Ann Ziff has honoured us by serving as godmother of the Viking Saturn.

“Having travelled with us for years, Ann is a loyal guest and she shares our commitment to the arts and cultural enrichment.

“Her contributions to the Metropolitan Opera, one of our longtime cultural partners, as well as many other important causes are truly impressive.”

Ziff added: “I am delighted to serve as godmother of the Viking Saturn. For those who are curious about the world, there is no better way to explore and immerse yourself than from the comfort of a Viking ship.”

Earlier this month (April), Viking announced that its latest ship for the Nile – the 82-guest Viking Aton – touched water for the first time during a float out ceremony.

In January, the line also named another new ocean ship, Viking Neptune, in Los Angeles.