Categories: Cruise News

Viking Mira floated out at Fincantieri shipyard ahead of spring 2026 delivery

Fincantieri has launched Viking Mira, the latest addition to Viking’s ocean fleet, at its Ancona shipyard, marking the first time the ship has touched water since construction began.

The vessel will now enter the final outfitting phase ahead of her scheduled debut in spring 2026, when she will operate itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

The launch ceremony was attended by Gilberto Tobaldi, Director of the Ancona shipyard, and Gastone Lazzari, New Building Site Team Manager for Viking.

Viking Mira is the latest in a series of ships built for the company at Fincantieri facilities, part of a programme that now totals 28 units delivered, on order, or under option.

Viking Mira

With a gross tonnage of about 54,300 and capacity for 998 passengers in 499 staterooms, she falls within the small ship segment of the cruise market.

Built to the same general specifications as her sister ships, she is expected to offer all-veranda accommodation, a design feature present across Viking’s ocean fleet.

Sister vessels, such as Viking Jupiter and Viking Venus, have been built with two swimming pools including an infinity pool at the stern, a Nordic-inspired spa with thermal suite, and multiple dining venues ranging from informal cafés to a main dining room and speciality restaurants.

Public spaces on those ships typically include observation lounges, libraries, and lecture theatres used for enrichment programmes.

The vessel has been constructed in line with the latest international regulations on navigation and safety, and equipped with high-efficiency engines and advanced exhaust gas treatment systems intended to meet current environmental standards.

Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard covers an area of 360,000 square metres and has a production capacity of 60,000 GT.

It is equipped with lifting systems capable of handling 500 tonnes and can construct hulls at a rate of 1,200 tonnes per month.

Since 2009, the facility has delivered 20 vessels, employing around 3,700 workers from multiple nationalities. The yard is involved in Fincantieri’s Operations Excellence programme, which integrates advanced technologies, robotics, and artificial intelligence into the shipbuilding process.

When she enters service in 2026, Viking Mira will join a fleet designed for longer voyages to a wide range of ports, including smaller destinations inaccessible to larger vessels, continuing Viking’s focus on building ships of a size that allows them to operate on varied itineraries.

Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com.

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