Viking formally welcomed seven river vessels at a naming ceremony in Amsterdam, increasing its fleet to 109 ships and consolidating its position as the world's largest cruise company by vessel count. That distinction does not extend to annual passenger numbers: its considerably smaller ships carry fewer travelers than competitors such as Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group. Carnival Corporation currently operates 92 vessels across eight brands.
Four of Viking's additions will serve the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, while two will sail Egypt's Nile and one will operate on France's Seine. Only two vessels attended the Amsterdam ceremony in person. Three were already on the Nile and Seine, and another two were undergoing final construction at a shipyard in Rostock, Germany. Captains and ceremonial sponsors gathered in Amsterdam, with video links connecting the event to the vessels. Bottles of a Norwegian spirit, rather than Champagne, were broken against their hulls in recognition of the company's Norwegian heritage.
The expansion marks a substantial change from 2012, when Viking operated just 29 river ships and no ocean vessels. Its current fleet comprises 94 river ships, 13 conventional ocean ships, and two expedition vessels. Further growth is planned, with 36 river ships on order or under option for delivery by 2032. Another 17 ocean vessels are on order or under option through 2034, including two expedition ships scheduled for 2030 and 2031. The company now employs more than 12,000 people.
