Viking has added eight river ships to its fleet during a ceremony in Paris.

Four of the ships – Viking Kari, Radgrid, Skaga and Fjorgyn – have been specifically built to navigate the Seine.

The others – Gymir, Egdir, Hervor and Gersemi – will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. 

The ceremony, held on 17 March, was part of the line’s 25 anniversary celebrations. In January 2022, the company launched Viking Expeditions and its first expedition ship, Viking Octantis.

By the end of this year, the cruise line will have also welcomed a second identical expedition ship, Viking Polaris, as well as two new ocean ships and purpose-built vessels for the Nile, Mekong and Mississippi rivers.

‘A proud moment’ for Viking

The naming event was held by connecting the new ships via satellite across Paris and Amsterdam.

Viking Kari, Radgrid, Skaga and Fjorgyn were docked in Paris at the Port de Grenelle and were named by their godmothers.

The others, meanwhile, were docked in Amsterdam and named virtually.

Chairman Torstein Hagen said: “As we mark 25 years of sailing the iconic waterways of the world, it is always a proud day when we welcome new ships to our fleet and offer more opportunities for curious travellers to explore the world in comfort.

“Today we are especially pleased to honour eight talented and accomplished individuals as godmothers to our newest river ships, and we look forward to the start of another season of European river voyages.”