Zhao Shang Yi Dun-Viking Sun

The 2017-built (as MS Viking Sun) cruise ship Zhao Shang Yi Dun (aka Viking Yi Dun) is the 4th in a series of identical vessels built for Viking OCEAN Cruises and since 2021 transferred to the joint venture Viking China Coastal Cruise Company. Viking OCEAN's current plans are for a fleet of 16 sisterships, all of which are Fincantieri-built and Norway-flagged.

The vessel (IMO number 9725433) is currently China-flagged (MMSI 414515000). Viking Sun was Norway-flagged (MMSI 257179000) and registered in Oslo.

History - construction and ownership

When operated by Viking OCEAN (2017-2020), the 930-passenger ship Viking Sun offered destination-oriented cruising experiences, with few at-sea days, long in-port stays and overnights. Among the boat's features are complimentary Wi-Fi, free shore excursions, wine and beer with no charge at dinner and lunch.

In early-April 2019, Viking and China Merchants Group (China's first commercial corporation/1872-founded) unveiled a plan to launch a new cruise line (joint venture company) for the Chinese market. China Merchants Group's shipbuilding subsidiaries will design and construct the newbuilds for the new company. As of 2019, Viking Cruises fully owned and operated a fleet of 6 ocean liners plus 72 riverboats (almost all of which are of the patented Longship-Class).

On November 25, 2020, China Merchants Shekou and Viking officially signed the joint venture agreement for a separate (China-flagged) fleet of sea liners for coastal cruises. In mid-December 2020, Viking and China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings Co Ltd officially announced the creation of the new joint venture company "Viking Cruises China" focused on mid-sized luxury ship voyages in China exclusively.

The new domestic travel brand (China Coastal Cruise Project) was scheduled for inauguration in 2021-Q1, with Viking Sun transferred to the joint venture.

• In January 2021, the vessel changed registry - from Norway (MMSI number 257179000) to China (MMSI 414515000) to qualify for the Chinese coasting trade. China as flag state allows the ship to visit seaports under China's cabotage rules that regulate the shipping of passengers and/or goods between two Chinese ports. The brand's enrichment program is based on shipboard events (lectures, entertainment) and shore excursions themed on local history, traditions, nature, food.
• On January 19, 2021, Viking Sun left Port Mukran (near Sassnitz Germany) and via Skagen (Jan 23) headed to Valletta Malta, with estimated arrival on Jan 31. The boat arrived in China (at Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Terminal) on March 15, 2021, and was officially handed over to Viking-China Merchants in mid-April.

On April 27, 2021, the boat was officially reflagged to China.

On June 26, 2021, Viking Sun was officially renamed "Zhao Shang Yidun" (早上 猗顿) meaning/translated as "China Merchants Eden". The naming ceremony was held at homeport Shenzhen-Shekou, led by godmother Duan Xianghui (China Merchants Group Director).

The new Viking-China brand's inauguration was initially scheduled for August 22, 2021, but was eventually postponed for October 1st (Maiden Voyage/8-day "Charming South China Sea" itinerary roundtrip from Shekou-Shenzhen to Sanya).

Each of the Viking Ocean ships offers many ticket price-inclusive / complimentary amenities and services, such as all shore excursions, transfers, Wi-Fi, wine and beer (at lunches and dinners), access to Nordic Spa (steam room, thalassotherapy pool, hot tub, snow room/grotto, sauna, cold plunge pool). The infinity pool (resistance swimming pool located aft on Deck 7 / at the ship's stern) is another unique and complimentary facility.

All Viking Ocean liners were built according to the latest maritime navigation regulations and equipped with latest marine safety systems, including "safe return to port". The ships also implement some of the maritime industry's latest technologies, including energy-saving hybrid engines (diesel generators and gas turbines), optimized hulls and bulbous bows for max fuel efficiency. Ship design also features the common for Viking River Cruises longships solar panels (installed on the Magradome pool cover) additionally minimizing vessel's exhaust pollution.

Decks and Cabins

Viking Sun staterooms (465 total) include 47x Suites, 32x Penthouses and 386x Veranda/Balcony cabins in 18 grades.

All passenger cabins are balconied and offering all the industry's modern amenities and services, including King-size beds ("Viking Explorer", deluxe mattresses and linens, Cashmere blankets), en suite bathroom (heated floor, heated mirror, glass-door shower, hairdryer, premium bath products and toiletries /by Freyja, bathrobes, slippers, towel warmers), seating area (sofa, coffee table, vanity desk with chair, wardrobe, full-length mirror with mini lights), satellite phone, HDTV (3D, Infotainment / interactive TV system for Internet access, room service ordering, movies-on-demand, live webcams views, Viking Cruises channel for news, enrichment lectures and port talks), in-room binoculars, electronic safe box, individual air-conditioning, coffee machine, mini-bar (replenished daily with bottled water, soft drinks, snacks).

The boat has 10 decks, of which 6 are with passenger cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Viking Sun offers the following dining venues: Restaurant (dining room), buffets (Viking Deli, World Cafe), Aquavit Terrace (alfresco), specialty (Italian Grill, Chef’s Table), Private Dining (2 rooms). Viking Sun deals are inclusive of shore excursions, complimentary alcohol (wine and beer at lunch and dinner) and Wi-Fi.

Viking Sun cruise ship has as signature facilities two swimming pools (Main Pool and Aft Infinity Pool), a covered pool deck (with Jacuzzi, Bar & Grill), Viking Living Room (Atrium Lobby Lounge), two Cinemas, a modern wellness complex (Spa & Fitness Center, Beauty Salon), Wintergarden (poolside area), Aquavit Terrace (aft outdoor bar lounge with Infinity Pool and Hot Tub), Piano Bar Lounge (Torshavn), dedicated sports deck (deck 9/with a Walking Track and Outdoor Gym/Yoga area), Theatre Lounge & Bar, Lobby Bar, various shops and brand boutiques.

The walk-around Lanai/Promenade Deck fully encircles the boat (deck 2). The two-deck Explorer's Lounge has a huge bow-facing observation area which is a unique feature that lots of modern cruise vessels lack. Many of the ship's features reflect a boutique hotel feel.

After the transfer to China Merchants Viking Cruises, for the Star Theater Lounge were developed unique show productions (via partnership with SMG Live). The new show program combines Broadway-style classic musicals, traditional Chinese dance performances, and surprise performances (by different guests on each voyage). The onboard enrichment program was expanded with lectures (themed on China's culture, arts, food, as well as on natural sciences). At the reading areas throughout the boat are offered 2000+ handpicked books, including numerous best-sellers and nature-themed literature. The onboard dining was expanded via new menus developed by Michael Rosenblum (award-winning chef and writer specializing in Chinese food).

All Viking Ocean ships have an onboard "snow room". The 2013-launched Viking Grace (2800-passenger ferry ship operated by VIKING LINE) was the ever first vessel with a snow room. Viking Cruises' "Snow Grotto" is a spa retreat with powdery snow falling down from the ceiling. The experience (touted beneficial to the body's blood circulation) includes heating in a sauna (steam bath), then walking into this small room fitted with benches and with dark stone walls illuminated by blue light. The snow on the floor is kept at sub-freezing temperatures. This Arctic-themed facility is part of the ship's thermal suite (within the spa complex). This relaxation area has also 1 hot tub, sauna room, heated ceramic loungers, therapeutic showers, salt-water thermal pool. Snow Grotto access is complimentary to all passengers.

Viking China itineraries (Zhao Shang Yi Dun)

Since July 2021, the boat (renamed "Zhao Shang Yi Dun") is operated by the Viking-China Merchants joint venture "China Coastal Cruise Project". The brand's inauguration/Maiden Voyage was initially scheduled for August 22, 2021 (8-day "Charming South China Sea" itinerary roundtrip from homeport Shenzhen and visiting Sanya). However, due to China's evolving COVID pandemic (the Delta variant), the company postponed all voyages "until further notice". Eventually, the Maiden Voyage departed on October 1, 2021.

In 2023, Viking China introduced two new voyages.

The 7-day "Charming South China Sea Journey" itinerary is roundtrip from Shenzhen and visits Sanya and Yangjiang City's Hailing Island.

The 7-day "Southeast Coast Cultural Journey" itinerary is between Shenzhen and Shanghai (northbound and southbound) and visits Sanya, Hailing Island., Xiamen, Zhoushan.

Viking OCEAN itineraries (Viking Sun)

Viking Sun itinerary program was based on cruises in Southern and Northern Europe (Baltic and Mediterranean seas). Repositioning Atlantic coastal routes were operated with one-way itineraries in spring and fall.

In 2018, the ship operated Viking Ocean's first-ever world cruise (141-day itinerary USA to UK / Miami to London) visiting a total of visiting 64 ports (35 countries) on 5 continents. World Voyage 2018's itinerary started on December 15, 2017, ending on May 5, 2018 (see more in the wiki-section below). The ship's "World Voyage 2019) will have a 128-day Miami-London itinerary.

in 2018, the liner also made an inaugural visit to Australia. The vessel was booked into White Bay Cruise Terminal (Sydney NSW) on January 12, 2018, for an overnight stay. The ship was also booked to return to Sydney Harbour (February 10) mooring overnight at Point Piper Buoy.

In May 2018, Viking OCEAN announced the company's new (world's ever-longest continuous) "Ultimate World Cruise 2019". The 245-day itinerary visited 113 ports (59 countries, 6 continents) and featured 22 overnights and a full circumnavigation of the globe. Departing from London-Greenwich (August 31, 2019), the 8-month-long cruise marked the company's 3rd "Around the World" voyage. Read more in the ship's "wiki" section.

In September 2023 was announced a new itinerary - 8-day "South China Sea Cruise" roundtrip from Shenzhen/Shekou. The first voyage was scheduled to leave Shenzhen on December 3rd, visiting Vietnam (Ha Long Bay and Da Nang/Hue) and China (Hong Kong).

In December 2023, Viking OCEAN opened for international booking voyages for the ship (marketed as "Viking Yi Dun") scheduled for 2024. The special itineraries were themed as:

• 9-night/10-day "NEW! China Discovery" between Hong Kong/Shenzhen and Shanghai (overnight), visiting Xiamen, Pingtan Island (aka Haitan Island/Fuzhou City, Fujian), Dongtou/Wenzhou (Zhejiang), and Zhoushan.Shenzhen.
• 14-night/15-day "NEW! Classic China & the Coast" from Beijing (2-night/3-day overnight pre-cruise hotel stay) to Hong Kong/Shenzen, visiting Xian (overnight), Shanghai (overnight), Zhoushan, Dongtou, Pingtan Island, Xiamen, Shenzhen, and ending in Hong Kong (from Shenzen).
• 19-night/20-day "NEW! Wonders of China" (cruisetour with included domestic flights and land transfers) leaving roundtrip from Beijing (2-night/3-day overnight pre-cruise hotel stay) departure from Shanghai, visits Zhoushan, Dongtou, Pingtan Island, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Chengdu (Jin River/Yangtze, flight to Lhasa Tibet (overnight), flight to Xian (overnight) and back to Beijing.

Viking Yi Dun's cruisetour prices per cabin started from US$4500 (China Discovery), US$7000 (Classic China & the Coast) and US$11000 (Wonders of China).

In April 2024, Viking introduced the "Spirit of Mongolia" cruisetour extension. The 5-night (pre- or post-cruise) guided land tour to Mongolia offers a visit to the Gobi Desert out of Ulaanbaatar (aka Ulan Bator). Other ex-China cruise extensions included departures/tours from Hong Kong and Beijing.