Viking has announced that its latest ocean ship, the Viking Mira, has reached a significant construction milestone with its float out at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona. This event marks the first time the vessel has touched water and signals the start of its final phase of construction. The Viking Mira is classified as a small ship, with a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons and 499 staterooms capable of accommodating up to 998 guests.
The float out ceremony took place on July 31 at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time. During this traditional event, a ceremonial cord was cut to allow water into the building dock. Over two days, the process will set the Viking Mira afloat before it is moved to an outfitting dock for interior completion.
The ship is expected to debut in spring 2026 and will operate itineraries in both the Mediterranean and Northern Europe during its inaugural season.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, stated: “In our view, together with Fincantieri we have created the world’s most elegant fleet of small ocean ships—and the float out of the Viking Mira marks yet another important milestone as we continue to grow our fleet. As we prepare to welcome her in 2026, we are proud to offer even more opportunities for curious travelers to explore the world in Viking comfort.”
Viking emphasizes providing experiences tailored for travelers interested in science, history, culture, and cuisine rather than appealing broadly. The company recently received recognition from Travel + Leisure readers as a “World’s Best” for rivers, oceans and expeditions in their 2025 World’s Best Awards. It also holds top rankings from Condé Nast Traveler readers for Rivers, Oceans and Expeditions.
Founded in 1997, Viking operates river, ocean and lake journeys worldwide for guests seeking destination-focused travel experiences.
