Die VIKING NEPTUNE, das neunte Schiff ¹ der Venice-Klasse, wurde am 10. Januar 2023 feierlich in Los Angeles getauft. Taufpatin war die pensionierte NASA-Astronautin, Aquanautin und Künstlerin Nicole Stott. Die Taufe fand während der 138tägigen Weltreise der VIKING NEPTUNE (IMO 9845910) von Fort Lauderdale nach London statt, auf welcher 57 Häfen in 28 Ländern angelaufen werden.
Die Schiffe der Venice-Klasse sind mit 47.800 gross tons vermessen und haben Platz für jeweils 930 Passagiere in 465 Kabinen.
¹ Anmerkung: Die VIKING NEPTUNE ist das achte Schiff von Viking Ocean Cruises, aber das neunte Schiff dieser Baureihe. Hintergrund: Die VIKING SUN (IMO 9725433) wurde im April 2021 an China Merchants Viking Cruise übertragen und in ZHAO SHANG YI DUN umbenannt.
Für Groß-Ansicht auf die Fotos klicken:
Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen with Nicole Stott, retired NASA astronaut and aquanaut, and Viking Executive Vice President Karine Hagen. Tor showed Nicole a postcard he has from 1969 with original signatures from Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, who famously landed on the moon that year. Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen at the naming ceremony of the Viking Neptune on January 8 in Los Angeles. Guests at the naming ceremony of the Viking Neptune enjoyed performances by Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter, and Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold. A historic Viking broad axe was presented to Nicole Stott, godmother of the Viking Neptune, to cut a ribbon that allowed a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship’s hull. Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter used the same axe when naming her ship in January 2020. For more information, visit www.viking.com.Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter, performs during the naming ceremony of the Viking Neptune on January 8 in Los Angeles. Nicole Stott, retired NASA astronaut and aquanaut and ceremonial godmother of the Viking Neptune, along with Viking “godsisters” Sissel Kyrkjebø (left) and Karine Hagen (right). Pastor Åsmund Offernes, of the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in San Pedro, Calif. (left), provides a blessing at the naming ceremony of the Viking Neptune, which took place near the church at the Los Angeles World Cruise Center on January 8. Three Viking “godsisters” together in Los Angeles–Nicole Stott, godmother of the Viking Neptune; Karine Hagen, godmother of the Viking Sea; and Sissel Kyrkjebø, godmother of the Viking Jupiter—with Geir Rovik and Viking Neptune Captain Erik Saabye. For more information, visit www.viking.com.Pictured from left to right at the naming ceremony of the Viking Neptune: Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking; Dr. Anna Fisher, retired NASA astronaut and godmother of the Viking Orion; Nicole Stott, retired NASA astronaut and aquanaut and godmother of the Viking Neptune; Erik Saabye, Captain of the Viking Neptune; Geir Rovik, Norway’s most renowned traditional longship builder; Dr. Richard Linehan, NASA astronaut; Ron Garan, retired NASA astronaut; Karine Hagen, EVP of Viking.
Photo Gallery: VIKING NEPTUNE christened in Los Angeles
The VIKING NEPTUNE, the ninth ship ¹ in the Venice class, was christened on January 10, 2023 in Los Angeles. Godmother was retired NASA astronaut, aquanaut and artist Nicole Stott. The christening took place during the 138-day world voyage of the VIKING NEPTUNE (IMO 9845910) from Fort Lauderdale to London, calling at 57 ports in 28 countries.
The ships of the Venice class are measured at 47,800 gross tons and each have room for 930 passengers in 465 cabins.
¹ Note: The VIKING NEPTUNE is Viking Ocean Cruises‘ eighth ship, but the ninth ship in this series. Background: The VIKING SUN (IMO 9725433) was transferred to China Merchants Viking Cruise in April 2021 and renamed ZHAO SHANG YI DUN.
