Along the Seine River in Paris City, Viking Cruises named 4 new riverboats (another 4 were christened in Amsterdam) in a special christening ceremony on Wednesday, March 16, attended by Chairman Torstein Hagen, the 8 Godmothers, as well as by representatives from the company, cruise and travel industry, media.
The 125-m Longships Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid, and Viking Skaga sat by at Paris City's Pont de Grennelle. They were all specifically built for Seine River navigation and homeporting at Pont de Grenelle, meeting the port's maximum length requirement.
The other 4 newbuild boats - Viking Egdir, Viking Gersemi, Viking Gymir, and Viking Hervor, were christened at the same time via video conference from The Netherlands' capital and largest city Amsterdam.
Before the ceremonies, Torstein Hagen held a presentation in attendance (onboard Viking Kari) where he gave an update on the brand along with updates on the future Viking fleet (5 new ocean ships confirmed, plus 4 optional), the 8 new Godmothers, and the upcoming adventure ship Viking Octantis.
Hagen added during the presentation that masks would become optional for Viking Cruises' guests starting April 1st.
Each Godmother, after a blessing, traditionally smashed a bottle of Gammel Opland Aquavit (herbs-flavored spirit distilled from grain and potatoes/by Oplandske Spritfabrik distillery's original recipe from 1872) against the hull.
- Alma Deutscher, Godmother of Viking Gymir – a violinist, pianist, composer and conductor
- Helen Deutscher, Godmother of Viking Egdir – A violinist, pianist and vocalist
- Dr. Janie Deutscher, Godmother of Viking Radgrid – An author and educator, an accomplished musician supporting the musical ambitions of her daughters, Alma and Helen, godmothers of Viking Gymir and Viking Egdir
- Brenda Hunsberger, Godmother of Viking Hervor – Senior Vice President of Travel Services with AAA Club Alliance
- Karryn Christopher, Godmother of Viking Gersemi – Executive Vice President of Preferred Partnerships & Marketing for Signature Travel Network
- Ghislaine Wood, Godmother of Viking Fjorgyn – Deputy Director of the University of East Anglia’s Sainsbury Centre
- Muriel Wilson, Godmother of Viking Skaga – Director of Event Strategy & Sponsorships for Virtuoso, Ltd.
- Kari Garmann, Godmother of Viking Kari – Former member of The Parliament of Norway and Oslo City Council.