What's Happening?
NEPTUN WERFT has officially delivered two new river cruise ships, Viking Annar and Viking Fjolvar, to Viking. The handover took place in Basel on June 11, 2026, following a technical handover in Lelystad, Netherlands. The Viking Annar, part of the Longship
series, is 135 meters long and can accommodate 190 passengers. It will operate on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, with its first voyage scheduled from Amsterdam on June 22. The Viking Fjolvar, part of the Seine series, is 125 meters long and designed to navigate the Seine into Paris, accommodating 168 passengers. It will begin operations on July 4.
Why It's Important?
The delivery of these ships marks a significant expansion for Viking's river cruise operations, enhancing their capacity to offer luxury travel experiences on European rivers. This development is crucial for the river cruise industry, which is recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of these vessels reflects a growing demand for river cruises, driven by travelers seeking unique and intimate travel experiences. The expansion also underscores the importance of sustainable and innovative ship design in meeting modern travel demands.
