An official naming ceremony was held on June 6 in New York for Viking’s new ocean ship, the Viking Saturn.

A philanthropist and chairman of the Metropolitan Opera, Ann Ziff, named the 930-guest ship after her.

Now that Viking Saturn has discovered Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and Norway, it will continue on with its maiden season.

It’s a great honor for Viking to name our newest ocean ship in New York City, one of the world’s great cultural centers,” said Viking chairman Torstein Hagen.

The Viking Saturn is especially honored to have Ann Ziff, chairman of the Metropolitan Opera, as godmother. The Metropolitan Opera is considered to be one of the world’s greatest cultural institutions. Thanks to Ann’s dedication to the arts and other causes, as well as her loyalty as a Viking guest.

In accordance with maritime tradition, Ziff cut the ribbon allowing a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship with the steel sword used in Verdi’s Il Trovatore at the Metropolitan Opera.
Taking part in this momentous occasion in New York is an honor,” said Ziff of being named godmother of Viking Saturn. There is no doubt the Viking Saturn will provide guests with enriching experiences around the world, as Viking and the Metropolitan Opera share a similar goal.”

Sissel Kyrkjeb, a soprano and godmother of Viking Jupiter, and Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold performed at the celebration. A celebratory dinner was served on board the ship, after which stars of the Metropolitan Opera, such as soprano Susanna Phillips, tenor Charles Castronovo, and baritone Quinn Kelsey, performed opera classics such as La Traviata, Rusalka, La Bohème, and American classics by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jerome Kern, and others.