FORT LAUDERDALE -- Viking Cruises has reached an agreement with Fincantieri
that could see the delivery of six additional ocean ships by 2027.
The new understanding expands Viking's partnership with the
Italian shipbuilder. Ten ships are on order for delivery starting in 2021,
which would bring Viking's ocean fleet to 16 ships by 2027.
Viking said it is a shipyard's biggest backlog from a single
owner.
The agreement for the six additional ships, which will be
delivered in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, is subject to specific conditions,
Viking said.
Viking's fourth ocean ship, Viking Sun, will be christened
on March 8 in Shanghai. The ship is currently sailing Viking's 141-day world cruise
from Miami to London, and its stop in Shanghai will mark the first time one of
Viking's ocean ships has called in China.
The Viking Sun will be the first cruise ship to be named in
Shanghai, Viking said.
The fifth 930-passenger ship, Viking Orion, is expected in
June and the sixth, Viking Jupiter, in 2019.