Shards from a bottle of champagne will bring good luck to Viking Line’s new vessel, Viking Glory, on jer future journeys. The vessel was christened in the Port of Turku on 28 February 2022 and the company’s new flagship set sail for the first time to Mariehamn and Stockholm on 1 March.
Viking Glory was christened with traditional festivities in the Port of Turku. Jewellery designer Isabel Lennse from Stockholm smashed the bottle of champagne against the vessel’s hull.
She is the wife of Jakob Johansson, a member of Viking Line’s Board of Directors and the company’s largest shareholder.
The name Glory was chosen in a vessel-naming contest held three years ago. A total of 22,500 names were submitted from Finland, Sweden and other countries. More than 450 participants suggested the name Glory.
“I am grateful to be the godmother of this beautiful vessel. Being godmother also reinforces my family’s long-standing commitment to Viking Line. It is important to me that Viking Glory is one of the world’s most climate-smart passenger ships – the archipelago is very dear to our family,” said Isabel Lennse.
In another tradition associated with the christening of ships, Viking Line is commemorating the ship’s godmother with a piece of jewellery.
Isabel Lennse received a Glory pendant made of gold designed by goldsmith Maria Karlström from the Åland-based firm Guldviva expressly for the christening. This piece of Glory jewellery, with its maritime theme, is sold in silver on board Viking Glory.
For Viking Line, the christening of the company’s new flagship is the culmination of a long project largely carried out under exceptional circumstances. The total price of the vessel, which was ordered in April 2017, is about 225 million euros.
“We succeeded in bringing home Viking Glory although there was also doubt in the air. This fantastic vessel exceeds all my expectations. It represents a brand-new generation of vessels and highlights the company’s origins in the archipelago in a fine way,” said Viking Line’s CEO, Jan Hanses.
Viking Glory timeline
Mar 2016 Letter of intent with the Chinese shipyard Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry signed
Apr 2017 Viking Line signs a shipbuilding contract with XSI
Aug 2018 Construction of the vessel begins in Xiamen, China
May 2019 The new vessel is given the name Glory, chosen in a naming contest open to the public
Jun 2019 Keel-laying ceremony at the shipyard
Jan 2021 Viking Glory is launched
Jun 2021 The vessel passes its first test run at sea
Nov 2021 The vessel passes its second test run at sea
Dec 2021 Viking Glory departs from China bound for its home port of Turku
Jan 2021 The vessel moors in the Port of Turku
Feb 2022 The vessel is christened in the Port of Turku
Mar 2022 Viking Glory launches service on the Turku–Mariehamn–Stockholm route
