Viking has reached a major construction milestone with Viking Astrea, its second hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions. The new ship has officially been floated out at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard in Italy, marking the first time Viking Astrea has touched water.

The float out moves the ship into the final stage of construction ahead of its scheduled delivery in May 2027. Once completed, Viking Astrea will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

For cruise travelers, the ship is notable not only because it expands Viking’s ocean fleet, but because its hybrid propulsion system will use liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells to make zero-emission operation possible.

Viking Astrea Touches Water for the First Time

The float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona Shipyard and began with the cutting of a ceremonial cord, signaling water to begin flowing into the ship’s building dock.

The process takes two days to set Viking Astrea afloat. Afterward, the ship will be moved to a nearby outfitting dock, where work will continue on final construction and the interior build-out.

Viking President and CEO Leah Talactac described the float out as another important milestone for the company and connected the ship’s development to Viking’s ongoing efforts to design more efficient vessels.

Viking Astrea Will Carry 998 Guests

Like all of Viking’s ocean ships, Viking Astrea is classified as a small ship. She will have a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300 tons and 499 staterooms, with accommodations for up to 998 guests.

Viking Astrea will be a sister ship within Viking’s ocean fleet, maintaining the company’s small-ship approach while introducing a propulsion system designed around liquefied hydrogen and fuel-cell technology.

How Viking Astrea’s Hydrogen Propulsion Will Work

Viking Astrea will use a hybrid propulsion system based partially on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. According to Viking, the system will make the ship capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions.

The technology is being enabled by Isotta Fraschini Motori, a Fincantieri subsidiary specializing in advanced fuel-cell technology. Viking says the propulsion system will be capable of producing up to six megawatts of power.

The ability to operate with zero emissions could also allow Viking Astrea to access environmentally sensitive areas where reducing emissions is particularly important.

Viking describes the ship as another step in its continuing effort to improve vessel efficiency rather than as a standalone sustainability project. The propulsion technology is being incorporated into the same small-ship format used throughout Viking’s ocean fleet.

Viking Libra Will Arrive First

Although Viking Astrea is Viking’s second hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of zero-emission operation, the first is scheduled to arrive sooner.

Viking Libra is planned for delivery in November 2026. Viking describes her as the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions.

Viking Astrea will follow approximately six months later with her planned May 2027 delivery, expanding the company’s use of the hydrogen and fuel-cell propulsion technology to a second ocean ship.

Where Viking Astrea Will Sail

After delivery, Viking Astrea is scheduled to spend her inaugural season sailing in two of Viking’s major European regions: the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Viking did not provide specific itineraries, ports or sailing dates for Viking Astrea in this announcement beyond the planned May 2027 delivery and the two regions where she will operate.

For travelers following Viking’s fleet expansion, the float out is an important step because it moves Viking Astrea out of the initial shipbuilding phase and into final construction and interior outfitting. The next major milestone will be her completion and scheduled delivery in May 2027.

When Viking Astrea begins sailing, she will combine the familiar size of Viking’s ocean fleet with a new propulsion system capable of zero-emission operation, making the ship an important addition to both Viking’s fleet and its efforts to develop more efficient cruise ships.

Source: Viking