Viking Announces Float Out of the World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ship
Set to Debut in Fall 2026, the Viking Libra Meets Water for the First Time
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Viking® (www.viking.com) (NYSE: VIK) today announced that the Viking Libra®, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions, was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Scheduled for delivery in November 2026, the Viking Libra will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
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Viking today announced its newest ocean ship—the 998-guest Viking Libra—has been “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in November 2026, the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Pictured here, the Viking Libra at the float out ceremony in Ancona, Italy. For more information, visit www.viking.com.
“The float out of the Viking Libra represents another milestone for Viking and our continued partnership with Fincantieri,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “From the beginning, our approach to ship design has focused on reducing fuel consumption, and the Viking Libra is our most environmentally friendly vessel yet. Investing in hydrogen was a principled choice for Viking, offering a true zero‑emission solution, and we look forward to welcoming the world’s first hydrogen‑powered cruise ship to our fleet.”
The float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out of the Viking Libra began when a ceremonial cord was cut that signaled water to flow into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set the Viking Libra afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out. The ceremony was attended by Fincantieri’s Gilberto Tobaldi, Director of the Ancona Shipyard, as well as members of the Viking team, including Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President of Product, and Enrico Prunotto, Senior Vice President of Ocean Passenger Operations, who thanked the shipyard on behalf of Viking.
Classified as a small ship, as are all Viking ocean ships, the Viking Libra has a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons, with 499 staterooms that can host 998 guests. While considered a sister ship in Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet, the Viking Libra will have a propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. This hybrid propulsion system will make her capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions, which would allow her to access even the most environmentally sensitive areas. Enabled by Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), Fincantieri’s subsidiary specializing in advanced fuel cell technology, the ship’s state-of-the-art propulsion system will be capable of producing up to six megawatts of power. The Company’s subsequent ocean ship, the Viking Astrea®, which is also under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2027, will also be hydrogen-powered and capable of operating with zero emissions.
With a clear focus on creating experiences For The Thinking Person™, Viking does not try to be all things to all people. This approach resonates with guests, and recently Viking was rated #1 for Oceans and #1 for Rivers by Condé Nast Traveler for the fifth consecutive year in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure—no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications. Additional recognition includes eight awards in Cruise Critic’s 2025 Best in Cruise Awards and, for the fifth year in a row, top rankings from U.S. News & World Report as “Best Luxury Line,” “Best Line for Couples” and “Best Line in the Mediterranean.” Viking also earned AOL’s Best Cruise Line for 2025 and continues to receive “Recommended” ratings for its ocean ships in Forbes Travel Guide.
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For more information about Viking, or for images and b-roll, please contact [email protected].
About Viking
Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans five years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure—no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com.
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| Viking today announced its newest ocean ship—the 998-guest Viking Libra—has been “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in November 2026, the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Pictured here, the Viking Libra at the float out ceremony in Ancona, Italy. For more information, visit www.viking.com. |
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| Water flows into the building dock at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard as part of the float out ceremony for the Viking Libra, marking the first time the ship has touched water. The Viking Libra is set to sail in November 2026. For more information, visit www.viking.com. |
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| Karine Hagen, Viking’s Executive Vice President of Product, arrives at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard for the float out ceremony of the Viking Libra. For more information, visit www.viking.com. |
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| Pictured here, Karine Hagen, Viking’s Executive Vice President of Product, with members of the Viking and Fincantieri teams at the float out ceremony for the Viking Libra at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard. For more information, visit www.viking.com. |
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| Karine Hagen, Viking’s Executive Vice President of Product, with Ivana Elice, Fincantieri’s Vice President and Project Manager of the Fincantieri Cruise Business and godmother of the Viking Vela at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard. For more information, visit www.viking.com. |
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| Pictured during the float out ceremony, Enrico Prunotto, Viking’s Senior Vice President of Ocean Passenger Operation, who thanked the shipyard on behalf of Viking. For more information, visit www.viking.com. |
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| One of Viking’s experts in artificial intelligence welds ceremonial coins onto the mast of the Viking Libra during the float out ceremony. For more information, visit www.viking.com. |
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| One of Viking’s experts in artificial intelligence welds ceremonial coins onto the mast of the Viking Libra during the float out ceremony. For more information, visit www.viking.com. |
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| Members of the Fincantieri Ancona Shipyard team attend the float out ceremony for the Viking Libra. For more information, visit www.viking.com. |
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| Pictured here, Karine Hagen, Viking’s Executive Vice President of Product, with Ghislain Lemarié, Viking’s Vice President of Ship Development and Construction, as he explains the Viking Libra’s propulsion system, which is based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. For more information, visit www.viking.com. |
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