The Story Behind New Viking Mira: Ancona’s Latest Shipbuilding Achievement
The New Viking Mira, Viking’s newest ocean vessel, was officially handed over to the cruise line during a ceremony held at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. The handover marks a significant milestone for Viking Cruises as the ship takes her place among the company’s acclaimed fleet.
Senior representatives from both companies were present to mark the occasion, including Jeff Dash, Viking’s Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development, alongside Giorgio Gomiero, Senior Vice President Operations at Fincantieri, and Gilberto Tobaldi, Director of the Ancona Shipyard. The Ancona facility, which spans 360,000 square meters and has delivered more than 20 ships since 2009, continues to serve as one of Fincantieri’s primary production hubs and a cornerstone of the two companies’ long-running partnership.
A Fleet Built For Curious Travelers
Welcoming the New Viking Mira to the cruise line’s growing family of ocean vessels, Viking’s President and CEO Leah Talactac noted that each new ship allows the company to offer its guests — whom Viking describes as curious travelers — even more opportunities to explore the world in comfort.
With 499 staterooms and a capacity for 998 guests, the vessel is classified as a small ship, in keeping with Viking’s signature approach to ocean cruising. She will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, joining a fleet built exclusively by Fincantieri under a partnership that dates back to 2012 and now encompasses a combined portfolio of 26 units across all signed contracts and options.
Propulsion Innovation And A Hydrogen-Powered Future
Beyond its newest addition, Viking is also advancing next-generation propulsion technology. The company’s upcoming vessel, the Viking Libra, currently under construction at the same Ancona shipyard, is set to become the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions. Scheduled for delivery in November 2026, it will feature a propulsion system combining liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells.
Viking’s subsequent ship, the Viking Astrea, due in 2027, will also adopt this hydrogen-powered approach. In a forward-looking design decision, the New Viking Mira has been built with the potential for retrofitting, ensuring she can incorporate these emerging technologies as they mature and become available at scale.
Viking’s Ambitious Expansion And Long-Term Growth Plans
The arrival of this vessel is one milestone within what is shaping up to be a sweeping decade of growth for Viking. Based on its committed orderbook, the company expects to receive 24 additional river ships by 2028, nine more ocean ships by 2031, and two further expedition ships within the same timeframe. These deliveries will bring Viking’s total river fleet to 114 ships by 2028 and its combined ocean and expedition fleet to 26 ships by 2031 — cementing the company’s position as a global leader in experiential travel.
All Viking ocean vessels are designed and built in accordance with the latest international safety and navigation regulations, equipped with advanced technological solutions and highly efficient propulsion systems aimed at reducing emissions and minimizing environmental impact. As Viking charts its course toward an ever-expanding horizon, the New Viking Mira stands as both a proud achievement and a confident signal of what lies ahead.