23 July 2026: Viking® has named its next two ocean ships Viking Leda and Viking Vega, with the 998-guest vessels expected to join the fleet in late 2028 and mid-2029, as confirmed through newly published official ship and deployment pages.
Both vessels are under construction at Fincantieri in Italy and will continue the design approach used across Viking’s ocean fleet. The ships will each measure 784 feet in length, have a beam of 101 feet and offer all-veranda accommodation.
Published schedules currently show Viking Leda entering service in December 2028, followed by Viking Vega in June 2029. Initial itineraries will cover destinations in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Northern Europe.
Viking Leda to Begin with Mediterranean Voyages
Viking Leda is scheduled to welcome its first guests in December 2028 and begin operating a winter programme in the Mediterranean.
The ship’s published deployment includes cruises lasting between eight and 16 days, with departures from ports in Greece, Italy and Spain. Destinations featured across the programme include the Greek Islands, the French Riviera and Morocco, alongside other ports in the Aegean, Mediterranean and Atlantic regions.
Official information identifies Viking Leda as a small ocean ship accommodating up to 998 guests. All accommodation will include a veranda, in keeping with the layout used aboard Viking’s existing ocean vessels.
The ship will also feature the line’s Scandinavian-influenced interiors and established selection of public spaces, dining venues and accommodation categories.
Viking Vega Scheduled to Debut in June 2029
Viking Vega is expected to begin service in June 2029, initially sailing in the Mediterranean.
Following its first Southern European voyages, the ship is scheduled to reposition to the British Isles in mid-July. Its inaugural programme includes cruises departing from ports in Italy, Spain, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Departure points listed across the schedule include Civitavecchia, Barcelona and Bergen. The published itineraries will enable the vessel to operate across Southern and Northern Europe during its first season.
Like Viking Leda, Viking Vega will accommodate 998 guests and measure 784 feet long and 101 feet wide. Its official ship page also classifies the vessel within Viking’s small-ship ocean fleet.
New Ships Continue Fincantieri Programme
Viking Leda and Viking Vega will become the 17th and 18th ocean ships constructed for Viking by Fincantieri.
The vessels will follow the general design introduced with Viking Star, which entered service in 2015. Viking’s ocean fleet has subsequently expanded through a series of similarly configured ships designed to operate in both larger destinations and smaller ports.
Before the arrival of Viking Leda and Viking Vega, the company is scheduled to take delivery of Viking Libra, Viking Astrea and Viking Lyra between 2026 and 2028.
Additional Ocean and Expedition Ships on Order
Viking’s current newbuild programme extends beyond the two newly named vessels, with further ocean ships scheduled for delivery through 2031.
Viking Libra is expected to enter service in December 2026. The ship is being developed with a hydrogen propulsion system intended to support zero-emission operations while in port and in selected operating conditions.
Viking Astrea and Viking Lyra are scheduled to follow in 2027 and 2028 respectively. The company’s wider orderbook also includes additional ocean vessels whose names have not yet been announced.
Viking is separately expanding its expedition fleet. Two additional expedition ships are planned for delivery in 2030 and 2031, joining Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris.
