Viking on Dec. 5 named its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vela, in Trieste, Italy. It is Viking's 13th ocean ship.
The 998-passenger Vela will spend its inaugural season sailing Mediterranean itineraries, followed by cruises in Northern Europe.
The naming ceremony served as a celebration of Viking's longtime partnership with shipbuilder Fincantieri. Serving as the Vela's ceremonial godmother was Ivana Elice, vice president and project manager of Fincantieri's cruise business unit.
Viking said Elice has overseen the design and engineering of Viking's ocean ships for 12 years. Viking CEO Tor Hagen called Elice "a member of the extended Viking family."