Viking has taken delivery of its latest ocean ship, Viking Neptune, at a ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona.

The ship – which is identical to the line’s other ocean ships in terms of look and design – features a small hydrogen fuel system, making it the cruise industry’s first ship to test the use of hydrogen power for on-board operations, according to the line.

Viking said it will use the system “to determine how hydrogen fuel could be used at a larger scale” for future ships.

The 930-guest vessel will spend its inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean, before embarking on the cruise line’s 2022/23 world cruise, a voyage of 138 days from Fort Lauderdale to London, visiting 28 countries and 57 ports.

Viking Neptune is a ‘significant advancement”

Chairman Torstein Hagen said: “We are especially proud to welcome this newest sister ship to our ocean fleet, as it also marks a significant advancement in testing hydrogen as a future fuel for our vessels.

“We look forward to welcoming guests on board the Viking Neptune next week. She is the 15^th new ship we have added to our overall fleet this year – another significant milestone as we continue the celebration of our 25^th anniversary.”

Earlier this year, the company also held the float out ceremony for Viking Saturn, which is due to launch in April 2023.

Its river fleet has also increased, with Osiris named in Luxor, Egypt, in August, and eight river ships launched during a special event in March.

Viking Expeditions launched in January with the purpose-built Octantis, while sister ship Polaris debuted in September.