Viking named its newest ocean ship, Viking Neptune, with a celebration on Sunday in San Pedro, Los Angeles. As part of the event, the ship’s ceremonial godmother, Nicole Stott, retired NASA astronaut, aquanaut and artist, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship – a maritime tradition that dates back thousands of years.

Viking’s newest ocean ship – the 930-guest Viking Neptune – was floated out from the Ancona shipyard of Fincantieri last week. It was the first time the vessel had touched water.

After the past two Viking World Cruises in 2021 and 2022 sold out in record time, Viking has announced dual world voyages for 2023/24, sailing on identical itineraries just three days apart.

Viking Cruises has unveiled details of its new 2022/23 World Cruise offered aboard its ninth ship, Viking Neptune. The new voyage comes within six-months of Viking revealing its 2021/22 World Cruise on Viking Star, which sold out a month ago.