On October 21, 2025, Viking Cruises made history in the most Viking way possible—by going absolutely massive. The cruise line christened nine ships simultaneously across six countries and three continents, with the 100th ship, Viking Honir, taking center stage in Basel, Switzerland.
This is not just a milestone. This is Viking planting a flag and declaring dominance over the river cruise industry.
How You Christen 9 Ships at Once
The ceremony kicked off at exactly 4:30 PM in Basel aboard the Viking Honir, but the real magic happened through the power of modern technology. The event was connected virtually to eight other brand-new ships scattered across the globe:
- Viking Nerthus in Paris, France
- Viking Dagur, Viking Eldir, and Viking Annar in Rostock, Germany
- Viking Gyda in Porto, Portugal
- Viking Tonle in Mỹ Tho, Vietnam
- Viking Thoth and Viking Amun in Luxor, Egypt
Seven godmothers and two godfathers—all colleagues and partners in the extended Viking family—recited good luck incantations. Then, in a synchronized moment that must have required some serious planning, they pressed buttons that released bottles of Norwegian aquavit, which smashed across the hulls of all nine ships.
The Basel event featured performances by Sissel Kyrkjebø (one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter), Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold, the Viennese Residence Orchestra, and a Basel girls’ choir. It was a full-on celebration worthy of the achievement.
100 Ships Makes Viking the Biggest
With this christening, Viking’s fleet now includes 88 river ships, 12 ocean ships, two expedition ships, and one time-chartered river vessel. That is more ships than any other cruise line in the world—yes, even more than cruise giant Carnival Corporation.
Viking got its start in 1997 with just four river ships. Twenty-eight years later, it is now the world’s largest river cruise operator and has expanded into ocean and expedition cruising as well.
These Ships Are Going Everywhere
The nine new vessels will sail some of the world’s most popular waterways:
- Viking Annar, Viking Dagur, Viking Eldir, and Viking Honir will cruise the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers in Europe
- Viking Nerthus will sail the Seine River
- Viking Gyda will navigate the Douro River in Portugal
- Viking Tonle will explore the Mekong River in Southeast Asia
- Viking Thoth and Viking Amun will join the Nile fleet in Egypt
These are not just random additions. Viking is strategically expanding its presence on the rivers that matter most to travelers.
Viking Is Not Slowing Down
The company’s growth trajectory is almost absurd. Viking plans to add as many as 31 more river ships by 2030 and up to 14 ocean ships by 2033. At this rate, we are looking at a fleet that could approach 150 ships within the next decade.
Viking is not just winning the river cruise game—it is rewriting the rules entirely. And if this coordinated, multi-continent christening ceremony is any indication, the company knows how to make a statement.
Sources:
Viking Celebrates 100th Ship with Global Naming Ceremony in Basel – Cruise Critic
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