Viking Astrea floats out at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard
The 998-guest vessel is scheduled to enter service in May 2027 with a propulsion system using liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells.
Viking Cruises said Viking Astrea, its second hydrogen-powered cruise ship, has been floated out at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, marking the vessel’s first contact with water. The ship will now undergo outfitting, including completion of its interior.
Scheduled to debut in May 2027, Viking Astrea is expected to spend its inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The 54,300-gross-ton ship is planned with 499 cabins and capacity for up to 998 guests.
Viking said the vessel will use a hybrid propulsion system based partly on liquefied hydrogen and fuel cells. The system, enabled by Fincantieri subsidiary Isotta Fraschini Motori, is described as capable of generating up to six megawatts of power. Viking Libra, which the company identifies as its first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of zero-emission operation, is scheduled for completion in November 2026.