Dozens of Fisher’s friends, family, academics, explorers and fellow astronauts were on hand. The ship's name salutes Fisher's work on NASA's Orion exploration vehicle project.
Honoring Viking explorers and space explorers
'Today is a proud day for the entire Viking family. Just three years ago we launched our first ocean ship, and now we are welcoming our fifth ship, whose name was selected to honor both the original Viking explorers who used the constellations for long-distance navigation, as well as the great space explorers of our time,' Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said.
'We are grateful for Dr. Fisher’s many contributions to the scientific community, and we are humbled that she is godmother to Viking Orion,' he continued. 'The spirit of exploration is at the heart of the Viking way of travel, and we look forward to welcoming guests on board our newest ship, which has been designed to offer opportunities for learning about the great history of space exploration.'
Following its arrival in Livorno Thursday morning, during its maiden voyage, Viking Orion was positioned alongside the city’s historic Medici-built Fortezza Vecchia (Old Fortress). Livorno is a gateway to Tuscany, a region reached by the original Viking explorers. Nearby, Pisa is also known for its native Galileo Galilei, 'The Father of Science,' whose gravitational theories and invention of the Galilean telescope have been central to advancements in oceanic navigation.
Livorno chosen for ties to Galileo
In 1662 at Fortezza Vecchia, students of Galileo held an experiment to test his projectile motion theory. Livorno was chosen specifically for Viking Orion’s naming ceremony because of those connections to scientific studies and exploration.
During the day Viking Orion passengers and international dignitaries were treated to an interactive exhibit inside the Fortezza Vecchia that tells the stories of exploration technology throughout history, from the Vikings’ solar compass to Galileo’s gravitational and projectile motion experiments. The exhibit was designed and built specifically for Viking Orion’s naming.
Tenor Antonio Corianò, musician Sissel Morken Gullord, singer Sissel Kyrkjebø
On Thursday evening a high-tech show and musical concert paid tribute to Nordic mythology and the spirit of exploration. Legendary British explorer Sir Ranulph 'Ran' Fiennes served as the narrator for the event, which included musical performances by Italian tenor Antonio Corianò, Norwegian bukkehorn musician Sissel Morken Gullord and Norwegian singer Sissel Kyrkjebø, who will serve as the godmother of Viking Jupiter, which debuts in early 2019.
Fisher used an historic Viking broad axe to cut a ribbon that allowed a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship’s hull. Viking Orion was blessed by Monsignor Liberio Andreatta, who has led Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, an office of the Vicariate of Rome, an organ of the Holy See, reporting directly to the cardinal vicar of the Pope, and is the largest operator of pilgrim travel in the world.
'Finse Explores the Universe'
In addition to the naming ceremony, released on Thursday was 'Finse Explores the Universe,' the 14th book in the educational children’s book series, 'The World of Finse' (www.finse.me), which showcases the adventures of Viking SVP Karine Hagen’s yellow Labrador, Finse. This book will be available for purchase on all Viking ships.
The 930-passenger, 47,800gt Viking Orion is operating its maiden season on cruises to the Western and Eastern Mediterranean this summer before heading east to sail Viking’s newest itineraries in Asia, Australia and Alaska.
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