A major milestone has been reached in the future of sustainable cruising: the keel of Viking Libra has been laid at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. The vessel marks the 14th ocean-going newbuild for Viking Ocean Cruises and will be the first hydrogen-powered cruise ship.
Scheduled to debut in December 2026, Viking Libra is being designed with a strong focus on sustainability. Equipped with a cutting-edge hydrogen propulsion system paired with advanced fuel cell technology, the ship will be capable of generating up to six megawatts of power. This innovation will allow Viking Libra to operate on zero-emission navigation, opening the door to voyages in some of the most environmentally sensitive destinations on the planet.
Shipyard officials and Viking leadership have highlighted the vessel as a new benchmark for decarbonization in the cruise industry, demonstrating how hydrogen can be successfully integrated into large-scale passenger shipping.
While Viking Libra’s green propulsion sets it apart, the vessel’s overall design will mirror its near-sisters: Viking Vela (delivered in 2024), Viking Vesta (2025), and Viking Mira (summer 2026). Those ships feature partial hybrid propulsion systems considered “hydrogen-ready,” meaning they could be retrofitted in the future.
Following Libra’s launch, a second hydrogen-powered cruise ship, the Viking Astrea, is already scheduled for delivery in 2027, underscoring Viking’s long-term sustainability strategy.
Viking Libra’s maiden journey is set for December 3, 2026, departing from Piraeus, near Athens, on a 10-day voyage through the Eastern Mediterranean. The ship will continue cruising in the Mediterranean through the end of 2026 before repositioning for winter itineraries in Northern Europe at the start of 2027.
