Viking has reached a major milestone — surpassing 100 ships in its fleet while celebrating 28 years since its founding. Established in 1997 by Torstein Hagen, Viking began as a niche river cruise operator and has since evolved into a global cruise leader, operating on 21 rivers, five oceans, and all seven continents.
The company held a naming ceremony for nine new river vessels in Basel, Switzerland. The 100th ship in Viking’s fleet, named Viking Honir, became the highlight of the event. The other eight vessels participated virtually from locations including Paris, Rostock, Porto, Vietnam, and Egypt.
Since its founding, Viking has transformed the concept of river cruising and later expanded into ocean and expedition travel. Today, the company operates a fleet of 89 river vessels, 12 ocean cruise ships, and 2 expedition vessels, one of which is part of a joint venture with China Merchants.
Viking now ranks among the largest cruise operators in the world, rivaling Carnival Corporation in fleet size — though Carnival focuses solely on large ocean liners.
The brand has built its reputation on Scandinavian design and “quiet luxury”, targeting curious travelers with an interest in science, culture, history, and cuisine. Viking’s slogan — “For the Thinking Person” — reflects its commitment to meaningful travel experiences.
“Over the past 28 years, our fleet has grown from four to more than one hundred ships — an achievement unmatched by any other company,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We modernized river cruising, reimagined ocean travel, and refined the expedition experience. We take pride in being different — and innovative — in everything we do.”
The centerpiece of the ceremony, Viking Honir, is a Longship-class vessel designed for the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, accommodating 190 guests in 95 staterooms.
Viking continues to expand its regional river projects, including:
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82-passenger ships for the Nile,
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80-passenger ships for the Mekong,
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106-passenger ships for the Douro River in Portugal,
as well as modified designs for the Seine River, taking into account bridge height restrictions.
In the ocean sector, Viking is building a new generation of cruise ships, each carrying fewer than 1,000 guests, featuring hydrogen fuel cells and other advanced sustainable technologies. Two such ships are currently under construction in partnership with Fincantieri (Italy).
The company is pursuing further expansion:
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by 2028, the fleet will add 27 new river vessels,
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by 2031, another 10 ocean and expedition ships will join the lineup.
By 2028, Viking’s fleet will include 112 river ships, and by 2031 — 23 ocean and expedition vessels.
Viking builds most of its river ships at the Meyer Neptun shipyard in Rostock, Germany, and its ocean vessels at Fincantieri in Italy, ensuring flexibility and strong capacity for continued growth.
