By 
“Viking Star, the first ship of the new Viking Ocean Cruises line, was recently welcomed to Bergen, Norway, at the end of its maiden voyage. This sleek, 930-passenger “small ship” was celebrated with a grand christening ceremony, marking the first ship in a decade to launch a new cruise line.
The event coincided with Norwegian Constitution Day, featuring parades, parties, and a public concert in the harbor that attracted around 20,000 well-wishers. Attendees enjoyed performances by renowned artists and musicians with personal ties to Bergen, including Norwegian soprano Sissel, actor Bjarte Hjelmeland, singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche, acclaimed violinist Charlie Siem, and the comedy duo Ylvis.
Viking Star’s arrival is significant, as it marks the first time in 10 years that a Norwegian-flagged passenger cruise ship has chosen Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, as its homeport. Bergen’s mayor, Trude Drevland, served as the ship’s ceremonial godmother, offering a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing, a tradition that dates back thousands of years.
“This is a ship built for exploration, designed with our Scandinavian heritage in mind, and our guests will experience it from the moment they step onboard,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “The arrival of Viking Star signals a new era in destination-focused cruising, and I’m proud that she will call my favorite city in the world ‘home.’”
Viking Star’s christening was the culmination of a maiden voyage that began on April 11 in Istanbul. Over the past five weeks, the ship visited several Mediterranean and Western European ports, including Athens, Santorini, Venice, Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, and London.
After the concert, christening ceremony, and fireworks display, Viking Star set sail for Oslo and will continue on to Copenhagen, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Helsinki, and Stockholm. Viking Star is one of three ocean cruise ships currently planned; two additional ships, Viking Sea and Viking Sky, are already under construction.”