Viking has officially named its newest ocean ship, the Viking Neptune in Los Angeles, California.
Present at the event to bless the ship is ceremonial godmother, Nicole Stott, retired NASA astronaut, aquanaut and artist.
The Viking Neptune arrived in Los Angeles early in the morning on 8 January and departed for Honolulu following the naming ceremony.
In keeping with the naming tradition, Nicole used a historic Viking broad axe to cut a ribbon that allowed a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship’s hull.
The axe was presented to Nicole by Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter, who used it when naming her ship in January 2020.
Event guests also enjoyed performances from Sissel and Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold.
Viking Neptune is currently sailing the 2022-2023 Viking World Cruise, an epic voyage from Fort Lauderdale to London that spans 138-days, 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, said:
“Today is a proud day for the entire Viking family as we name our newest ocean ship in Los Angeles, the home of Viking’s U.S. office for more than 20 years.
“The Viking Neptune is a ship named for both the furthest planet in our solar system and the god of the sea and our newest Viking godmother, Nicole Stott, as a NASA astronaut and aquanaut, also has connections to space and the sea.
“We are grateful for her many contributions to the scientific community and are proud to have her as part of the Viking family.
Nicole Stott said it is “an honour and privilege” to be the godmother of the new Viking Neptune.
“As someone who has been blessed to explore space, the ocean, and some of the otherworldly places on our planet, I understand the importance of broadening one’s horizons through travel.
“I am very excited for all those who journey around the world on this elegant vessel.”
Viking Neptune is currently sailing the 2022-2023 Viking World Cruise, an epic voyage from Fort Lauderdale to London that spans 138 days, 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities.
For more information, visit Viking.com.
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