On 25th June the second of a series of three units for Viking Ocean Cruises, the 47,842gt Viking Sea, was launched at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona (above).

The interior fitting out then began in earnest, leading the ship’s delivery, scheduled for spring 2016. Sistership Viking Star was delivered in March 2015.

Viking Ocean Cruises has deferred the third ship, Viking Sky, from 2016 to 2017 and the fourth ship of the quartet appears to have faded into the background for now at least.

The same day also saw the 133,500gt Carnival Cruises flagship Carnival Vista launched at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone with delivery scheduled for spring 2016.