Torstein Hagen’s Viking Cruises has firmed up an order for six expedition cruise ships at Fincantieri in Italy.
The US-based operator agreed a potential deal for the 47,800-gt vessels in 2018.
The first two contracts were put into effect in 2019.
Fincantieri has now said the owner has also finalised orders for ships three and four, while signing contracts for the final two, subject to financing.
The total cost of the series is €1.7bn ($1.7bn).
Deliveries are scheduled for 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The agreement follows the 10 units ordered by Viking from 2012 at the Italian shipyard.
“Fincantieri has developed in partnership with the shipowner a project based on the successful features of the previous ships, upgraded and revisited with the latest technologies,” the yard said.
“The Viking units will be built according to the latest navigation regulations and equipped with the most modern safety systems. This new generation of ships is also designed for hydrogen fuel cells and will set a new standard for the industry.”
A strong relationship
California’s Viking has ordered 18 ships in total at Fincantieri down the years, including two at subsidiary yard company Vard.
The yard said the deals confirming the recovery of the cruise sector, which is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2023.
The first of the six Viking ships were originally slated for 2024 and 2025, with the series scheduled to be wrapped up in 2027.
The units will house 930 passengers in 465 cabins.
