Viking Mars, the newest ocean cruise ship which Fincantieri Italy is building for the shipowner Viking Cruises, was floated out on Thursday, July 15, at the shipyard in Ancona.
The new unit will be positioned in the small cruise ship segment. Like her sisterships, Mars is ~47,800 GT, with 465 cabins able to accommodate 930 passengers.
The ship, 8th of this class, was designed by experienced naval architects and engineers, such as the interior design team of London-based SMC Design, and LA-based Rottet Studios, who gave Viking Mars a modern design of Scandinavian inspiration and functional elegance. In addition to her all-veranda staterooms, the vessel also boasts spacious suites, two pools, of which one infinity, abundant options for al fresco dining, a Spa designed according to the philosophy of the Scandinavian tradition, with a snow grotto and a sauna.
Viking's units are all built according to the navigation regulations as well as equipped with the most modern safety systems, such as the “safe return to port”. They feature optimized hydrodynamics, energy-efficient engines, and hull reducing consumption, along with systems that minimize pollution produced by exhaust gases.
Fincantieri started the partnership with Viking Cruises back in 2012, trusting the shipowner then entering the ocean cruise market as a start-up. The cooperation which started with an order for 2 ships, reached 20 units, including the order awarded to VARD for a pair of expedition ships, Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis, and the options.
It is an all-time record, the biggest number of units built by a shipbuilder for a sole shipowner.