Videos

At the top of the Adriatic Sea lies Venice. Centuries ago, it was known as La Serenissima, a powerful city state that endured for 1,100 years with a maritime force that once dominated the Mediterranean. The Republic of Venice played a pivotal role in the Crusades, and at one point, even the Vikings of the Byzantine Varangian Guard left their mark here. On May 30th, 2026, another generation of Norwegian explorers returned to the majestic confines of Venice as Viking chose this legendary maritime capital for the ceremonial naming of our newest ocean vessel, the Viking Mira. The Viking Mira's naming ceremony unfolded on the bow of this beautiful vessel with the serene Venetian lagoon as a backdrop. Norwegian violinist Tor Jaran Apold opened the festivities, delivering a powerful performance of the Norwegian classic "Eg veit i himmerik ei borg." Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to the naming ceremony of the latest child in Viking's ever-growing family of vessels, the brand new Viking Mira. As long as there have been ships, there have been blessing ceremonies. The Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, and the Vikings, they all blessed their ships to keep their sailors safe on their long and often dangerous journeys. So in keeping with maritime tradition, allow me to tell you a little bit about the wonderful lady who will become the godmother of the Viking Mira. In common with Elvis Presley, with Johnny Cash... Where am I going? With Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many other star musicians, she hails from that great city of music, Memphis, Tennessee. After graduation, she began her working life as a flight attendant for Pan American Airways, where her love of travel and curiosity about the world really began. She later studied law and rose to become an assistant United States attorney. In 1988, as part of her commitment to public service, she was the brainchild behind an initiative called Bridge Builders, a youth leadership program to overcome prejudice and develop relations between young black and white students. When she's not involved with service to her community, our godmother is a keen landscape and nature photographer who encourages others to see the world with compassion and curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a huge Viking welcome to the stage to the about to be godmother of the Viking Mira, Becky Wilson. Welcome, Becky. Thank you so much. Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Tor, Karine, I can't tell you how much I appreciate this unexpected but very much appreciated honor that you present to me. In looking back through my old diaries over the years, I was struck by the frequency with which I saw the number six in my relationships with Viking. My husband, Spence, and I met at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and after dating a short time and we graduated, we each went our separate ways. But Spence reconnected with me in New York while I was flying with Pan Am, and he was going to drive through New York to go to Boston to start Harvard Business School. Well, the first time he invited me to the campus, he took me to meet his Norwegian roommate, Torstein Hagen. That was October the 9th, 1966. Fast-forward 20 years, Spence and I went to London, and we took our three oldest children. We went on June the 7th, 1986, to see Tor's family. Spence Jr. and Karine were turning 16 that month. Then 20 more years go by. Spence and I had our first Viking voyage in 2006 in Russia. Another 10 years go by, and my best friend from Memphis and I took my first Viking European river trip on the Rhine. So as you can see, today has been 60 years in the making. Our family is thrilled that Tor and Karine have brought Viking to our beloved Mississippi River, the fourth longest river in the world that sits at the doorstep of Memphis, Tennessee, our hometown. So y'all come and have a chance to savor Viking and our southern hospitality. But now to the moment at hand. I really believe the six decades of friendship that we've had with the Hagens, in part, is because both Tor and Spence recognize in each other sincerity, humility, and authenticity that they share. So I don't think we'll have another 60 years, Tor, but I'm sure counting on at least one more decade that we can be together. Thank you. Now, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to a great friend of Viking, a Norwegian, slightly scary master boat builder. This gentleman here, Geir Rovik. And the ax he's holding is a copy of an original Viking battle ax, a symbol of power and success in the Viking age. Becky, before you name your ship, can you say something about this special- ... wooden block that you've brought with you? Yes. We have a lake house about an hour from Memphis, and we brought the cross-section of a 100-year-old white oak. Our children and now our grandchildren have enjoyed playing in the woods, swimming in the lake, and we thought it would be appropriate to bring something old and new together. And so that's coming from our home- (Fantastic) ... in Tennessee. Our godmother's block rested on top of a finely honed piece of Norwegian spruce from the forest near my father's childhood home in Norway. Now, are you ready to name your ship? I am indeed. Geir, would you give Becky the ax? Move to the side. I name the Viking Mira. Mir is the Russian word for peace. May you promote peace wherever you travel. May your captain have the wisdom to keep you safe, and may God bless you and all who sail on you. With a splash of aquavit, another significant milestone became real. Look at the block, Becky. Yeah, there we go. This woman knows how to handle an ax. Now it's time for some national anthems. I'd like to welcome to the stage somebody who has a voice that has made her a Norwegian cultural treasure since her childhood. She's a great friend, well, of me, and of all of us at Viking, and, um, she's going to sing the national anthem. She'll be accompanied on the violin by the fabulous, Tor Jaran Apold Ja, vi elsker dette landet, som det stiger frem. Furet, værbitt over vannet, Med de tusen hjem. Elsker, elsker vi og tenker på vår far og mor, og den sagnomsvøtte natt som senker, senker drømme på vår jord. Og den saganatt som senker, senker drømme på vår jord. Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light. What so proudly we hail at the twilight's last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight. O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming. And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave. O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. Thank you, Sissel. Now we're going to have a few words from somebody who really needs no introduction from me. We all know her. We love her. She's Viking's beating heart. She is, of course, the one and only Karine Hagen. Thank you. And dearest Becky, on behalf of all of us at Viking, we'd like to thank you so very much for naming your beautiful ship, the Viking Mira. And you were referring to some common values of Spence and my father. He has some additional values he likes to remind us all of that he looks for in people. And we all know the four. They are to be kind, to be honest, to be hardworking, and to be thankful. And I think anyone who knows you know that you are the personification of all of the above. So thank you so much for gracing us with your presence and honoring us with so elegantly naming this ship. There are a few other godmothers here on board today, both Viking River and Viking Ocean ships. And on behalf of them, we would like to... I'm one of your sisters, by the way. God sisters. So is Sissel and a few more on board. But on behalf of all of us, we'd like to officially inaugurate you into our club of godmother sisterhood, I guess you could call it. So there is a gift here somewhere. Can you give her the flowers? Gentlemen give ladies the flowers as we have learned. Ladies first. He won't ever learn. He's a man. And this is your godmother gift, which we all share. And that makes you part of our sisterhood. Oh. So we are so honored to have you as our sister. Thank you so much. I'm particularly honored. So thanks. Thank you, Karine. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, Sissel will come to the stage and sing a song by a favorite of mine, Norwegian composer Ole Bull, with a title that I won't even attempt myself. I'll let you give the name of the song. And this is the song called "Sæterjentens Søndag." And that means the Cowgirl's Sunday. Wow, what a song. What a song. Thank you, Sissel. The naming of the Viking Mira was more than a ceremony. It was a reminder of what has always made Viking unique. This was a joyous, welcoming celebration of colleagues, crew, guests, and dearest friends amid an atmosphere of mutual respect and enjoyment that included fun time with our much-loved staff while introducing them to Leah Talactac, our President and new CEO. I never take these moments for granted. And as I reflect on the warm, caring members of our Viking family, I feel so, so proud. Now, the Viking Mira is off to explore the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and beyond. She's thoughtfully designed throughout to enrich every aspect of the journey. A philosophy that's led the readers of Conde Nast Traveler to vote Viking the number one ocean cruise line year after year. This elegant ship is now ready to welcome curious travelers for fascinating voyages worldwide. Enriching experiences for the thinking person, explored in Viking comfort.