 |
| Garlands
of red & white balloons, what seemed like acres of red carpet, some fireworks, a pirouetting fireboat spraying water jets & a tenor belting out "Nessun Dorma" before a crowd of 600... the Viking Longships are here! Viking River Christens 4 New Longboats in Amsterdam (Courtesy Viking River) |
Historic Christening
Four Viking River Longships
In One Day
As we reported in our Viking River Cruises Longships Update, two of the ships are still under construction and will debut mid-April.
Amsterdam Ceremony
(March 21, 2012) Garlands of red & white balloons, what seemed like acres of red carpet, some fireworks, a pirouetting fireboat spraying water jets & a tenor belting out "Nessun Dorma" before a crowd of 600... the Viking Longships are here!
The Viking River Cruises launch of four ships during a single ceremony, breaks the previous record for multiple and simultaneous christenings (three), which it also held.
Viking Odin and Viking Idun, were named in Amsterdam and two, Viking Freya and Viking Njord, by live video link at the yard in Rostock, where they're being finished off for a mid-April debut. Four godmothers cut scarlet ribbons and four bottles of Veuve Cliquot, two in Amsterdam and two in Rostock, smashed to cheers of a 600-strong crowd gathered in Amsterdam under dazzling sunshine.
The Godmothers
Joanna Lumley (left), star of "Absolutely Fabulous," christened Viking Odin, a ship named after the chief god of Norse mythology. "I've never been godmother to a god before," she told the delighted crowd.
Gail Wiswedel (second from left), who named Viking Njord, was chosen because she's Viking's most travelled customer, having notched up 11 cruises (which goes to show how young river cruising really is, given that plenty of ocean-going passengers would consider nothing less than 30 as an impressive total).
Dr Lisa Randall (third from left), Viking Idun's godmother, is a respected theoretical physicist, a subject close to the heart of Viking's Norwegian founder, Torstein Hagen, who himself holds a degree in nuclear physics.
Award-winning TV producer Rebecca Eaton, who served as godmother for Viking Freya, heads up "Masterpiece Theatre," a company sponsored by Viking.
Christening Tradition
Shipbuilding is filled with tradition. Wine poured upon the deck before a long voyage represents a libation to the gods which will bring good luck. "Christening" a ship by breaking a bottle of champagne across her bow at the time of launching arose from this practice. Read more about Nautical Superstitions & Legends.
Amsterdam Ceremony
(March 21, 2012) Garlands of red & white balloons, what seemed like acres of red carpet, some fireworks, a pirouetting fireboat spraying water jets & a tenor belting out "Nessun Dorma" before a crowd of 600... the Viking Longships are here!
The Viking River Cruises launch of four ships during a single ceremony, breaks the previous record for multiple and simultaneous christenings (three), which it also held.
Viking Odin and Viking Idun, were named in Amsterdam and two, Viking Freya and Viking Njord, by live video link at the yard in Rostock, where they're being finished off for a mid-April debut. Four godmothers cut scarlet ribbons and four bottles of Veuve Cliquot, two in Amsterdam and two in Rostock, smashed to cheers of a 600-strong crowd gathered in Amsterdam under dazzling sunshine.
Joanna Lumley (left), star of "Absolutely Fabulous," christened Viking Odin, a ship named after the chief god of Norse mythology. "I've never been godmother to a god before," she told the delighted crowd.
Gail Wiswedel (second from left), who named Viking Njord, was chosen because she's Viking's most travelled customer, having notched up 11 cruises (which goes to show how young river cruising really is, given that plenty of ocean-going passengers would consider nothing less than 30 as an impressive total).
Dr Lisa Randall (third from left), Viking Idun's godmother, is a respected theoretical physicist, a subject close to the heart of Viking's Norwegian founder, Torstein Hagen, who himself holds a degree in nuclear physics.
Award-winning TV producer Rebecca Eaton, who served as godmother for Viking Freya, heads up "Masterpiece Theatre," a company sponsored by Viking.
Christening Tradition
Shipbuilding is filled with tradition. Wine poured upon the deck before a long voyage represents a libation to the gods which will bring good luck. "Christening" a ship by breaking a bottle of champagne across her bow at the time of launching arose from this practice. Read more about Nautical Superstitions & Legends.
About the Longships
The four ships which feature full balconies, indoor-outdoor
dining and chic interiors, are pretty well sold out for the rest of the
year. These are only the first in a series with eight more sisters coming. Two Longships, Viking
Embla and Viking Aegir, will debut this summer, and six more are
scheduled to hit the rivers in 2013. (Also see: Viking River Cruises 2012 Fleet Upgrades)
More Pictures: Introducing the Viking Longships!
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