Viking Cruises is celebrating its third ocean ship with an official christening in Tromsø, Norway.
Tromsø is a popular destination for viewing the northern lights, as well as a “key port of call” on Viking’s Into the Midnight Sun itinerary, which Viking Sky will now take part of.
During the celebration, Viking guests and Tromsø residents were treated to several Norwegian musicians, including the Arctic Philharmonic, Lisa Stokke, Violet Road, Sara Marielle Gaup Beaska, and Jørn Hoel.
During the christening, Marit Barstad, the sister of Viking chairman Torstien Hagan, served as the “ceremonial godmother,” offering a “blessing of good fortune and safe sailing” for Viking Sky. This blessing is a naval tradition that dates back thousands of years.Viking Sky was christened with a bottle of Gammel Opland aquavit, which hails from the same county in Norway where Hagan and Barstad’s mother was born.
The ship will spend the rest of the summer season taking voyagers through Scandinavia and the Baltic.
Viking Sky has five stateroom categories to choose from, plus 14 Explorer Suites that offer views from wrap-around private verandas as well as the most amenities and privileges of any category on board. There are two pools aboard the ship: the Main Pool, with a retractable roof for swimming during any season; and a glass-backed Infinity Pool. The LivNordic Spa on board is designed with the holistic wellness philosophy of Scandinavia in mind; it has a sauna and a snow grotto where snowflakes fall from the ceiling through chilled air. This spa was named one of the “five best cruise ship spas” by Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017.
Other amenities are available for guests onboard include the Wintergarden, three dining choices, “enriching entertainment” that range from lectures on history and art to tasting of vintage wines from the ship’s destinations, destination performances that include folkloric shows, and live music.
Viking Sky is the third of eight ships the brand has planned for its fleet, with the fourth and fifth ships – Viking Sun and Viking Spirit – set to be introduced in September 2017 and 2018, respectively.
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