Ancona Cruise Shock as Viking Orders Two New Ships in Major 2032 Expansion

Written By: Sarannya Acharya

Sarannya Acharya

Sarannya Acharya is a content writer with a strong academic and professional background in media and communication. She holds an M.Sc in Media Science and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore, with a specialization in Advertising. With over three years of experience in content writing, she brings a blend of research-driven insight and creative storytelling to her work. Alongside her professional role, she is actively engaged in academics, contributing to the field through teaching and scholarly involvement. Her expertise lies in crafting well-structured, engaging, and informative content, supported by a solid foundation in media theory and practical industry knowledge.

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August 24, 2026 10:37 PM

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Ancona is at the centre of a major cruise shock, as Viking orders two new ships for a 2032 expansion. The Ancona cruise story is gaining attention because these Viking ships will carry 998 passengers across 499 cabins. Meanwhile, the new ships will measure about 54,300 gross tonnes each. The Viking order follows options announced in April 2025, with Fincantieri confirming construction at its Ancona shipyard. The 2032 expansion also strengthens Viking’s long-term fleet strategy. Travel And Tour World urges readers to read the entire story, as this Ancona cruise shock could create exciting future possibilities for travellers seeking smaller ships, distinctive itineraries and new European cruise experiences.

Fincantieri Viking New Ocean Ships Set to Transform Future Cruise Travel as Two 998-Passenger Vessels Head for 2032 Delivery From Italy’s Ancona Shipyard

Global cruise travellers have another future fleet expansion to watch after Fincantieri and Viking signed contracts for two new ocean ships.

The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2032 and will be constructed at Fincantieri’s Ancona facility in Italy.

The contracts follow options that were granted and announced in April 2025. Their exercise now moves the planned ships into the construction programme.

Two Ships Designed for Nearly 1,000 Travellers

The two vessels will enter Viking’s small-cruise-ship segment.

Each ship is expected to measure approximately 54,300 gross tonnes. Each will accommodate 998 passengers across 499 cabins.

That configuration gives travellers an important indication of the ships’ intended scale. The vessels will provide substantial capacity without moving into the much larger cruise-ship category.

The ships will also be developed under applicable environmental and navigation regulations. Modern safety systems are planned as part of their construction.

However, Viking has not yet announced the ships’ names, detailed onboard features, itineraries or inaugural voyages.

Travellers should therefore regard 2032 as a future planning milestone rather than an immediately bookable cruise date.

Ancona Becomes an Important Part of the Story

For international travellers, the location of the shipbuilding programme adds another interesting dimension.

Ancona is positioned on Italy’s Adriatic coast and has a natural harbour. Its historic centre sits close to the port area, making the city relevant for visitors exploring before or after a future cruise.

Italy’s official tourism portal highlights attractions including the Cathedral, Cardeto Park, Passetto Beach and the historic Mole Vanvitelliana.

Travellers planning a future Viking sailing could therefore potentially combine their cruise holiday with additional time in Ancona.

The wider Marche region also offers coastal scenery, historic towns, cultural attractions and countryside experiences.

Major Value and Long-Term Fleet Expansion

Fincantieri classifies the agreement as a large cruise contract.

For the Italian shipbuilder, that category represents a contract value between €500 million and €1 billion. The precise value of these two ships has not been disclosed.

The agreement also strengthens a long-running relationship between Fincantieri and Viking.

Following this latest order, their partnership encompasses 28 ships. The new ocean vessels also follow contracts announced earlier in 2026 for two Viking expedition ships.

This demonstrates that Viking is continuing to expand its future fleet across different cruise segments.

What Travellers Should Watch Next

The biggest unanswered questions concern where these two ships will sail.

Viking has not yet released their future routes or homeports. Their eventual itineraries could determine which destinations become particularly interesting for travellers in 2032.

For now, cruise enthusiasts should watch for announcements covering ship names, launch schedules, itineraries and booking dates.

Travellers interested in Italy can already explore Ancona and Marche independently while waiting for further details.

The new ships remain several years away, but their contracts give global cruise passengers an early look at another expansion of Viking’s future ocean fleet.

How Other Cruise Lines Expanding Their Fleets Through 2037

The Fincantieri Viking new ocean ships order is part of a much wider cruise-industry expansion. Fincantieri and Viking have contracted two ocean ships for delivery in 2032. Each vessel is planned at approximately 54,300 gross tonnes, with 998 passengers in 499 cabins. The ships will be constructed in Ancona, Italy, and built to applicable environmental and navigation requirements with modern safety systems. 

For travellers, the wider context is important. Cruise Lines International Association reported that global cruise passenger volume reached 37.2 million in 2025, a record level, while almost 90% of cruisers said they intended to cruise again. 

Cruise Industry Growth Creates Space for More New Ships

CLIA’s 2025 industry report forecast 37.7 million ocean-going passengers and approximately 310 ocean-going vessels for 2025. It also identified 56 ocean-going ships on order between 2025 and 2036, representing approximately $56.8 billion in investment among CLIA member lines. More than 70% of cruise ships are expected to remain in the small-to-mid-size category. 

The comparison with Viking is revealing.

The difference between the 37.2 million actual passengers and 37.7 million forecast passengers also demonstrates how rapidly cruise demand has been expanding. CLIA separately recorded 34.6 million passengers in 2024, up 9% from 31.7 million in 2023. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Has an Even Larger Long-Term Pipeline

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings provides one of the clearest comparisons.

In February 2026, NCLH announced three additional ships, with one each for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2036 and 2037.

Following that announcement, NCLH reported 17 newbuilds on order across its three brands. The company expects those ships to add approximately 46,600 berths through 2037.

Its fleet currently comprises 34 ships and more than 71,000 berths, serving approximately 700 destinations worldwide. The company expects its fleet capacity to grow at roughly 4% CAGR between 2026 and 2037. 

This means Viking’s two 998-passenger ships are considerably smaller than several ships being developed by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

Royal Caribbean Is Building a Different Kind of Expansion

Royal Caribbean Group is also extending its fleet aggressively.

The company reported 9.4 million vacations in 2025, while its wider pipeline includes new ocean and river ships. 

Its new Discovery Class currently includes two officially ordered ships. The first is scheduled for 2029 and the second for 2032. 

Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class is also expanding. Icon 5 is planned for 2028, while further Icon Class capacity is being developed through the next decade. 

For travellers, this represents a very different proposition from Viking. Royal Caribbean concentrates heavily on large-scale entertainment and family-oriented resort-style cruising, whereas Viking’s new ships remain firmly within a smaller passenger category.

Carnival Corporation Is Expanding More Gradually

Carnival Corporation ordered five new Carnival Cruise Line ships in 2024 for delivery between 2027 and 2033.

The company described the order as its first newbuild order in five years. The decision followed analysis of fleet age, replacement requirements and strong booking demand.

Carnival’s strategy is deliberately measured, with one or two ships scheduled for delivery during several years rather than pursuing rapid fleet expansion. 

Carnival Corporation also welcomed three ships during 2024: Carnival Jubilee, Sun Princess and Queen Anne. 

Princess Shows How Fincantieri Can Deliver Larger Ships

Princess Cruises provides another useful Fincantieri comparison.

Star Princess entered service in 2025 with capacity for 4,300 guests, approximately 177,800 gross tonnes, 2,157 guest cabins and 1,600 crew members. Its inaugural voyage departed Barcelona on 4 October 2025. 

The ship features 30 dining and bar venues, more than 1,500 balcony staterooms and 21 decks. Its first programme covered the Mediterranean before moving towards Caribbean and Alaska operations. 

This comparison highlights the enormous size difference between Star Princess and Viking’s planned vessels.

Ancona’s Cruise Numbers Show Why Italy Matters

The Ancona connection is especially significant for travellers.

The Port Authority reported 104,419 cruise passengers in 2024, compared with 87,827 in 2023. That represented a 19% increase. Cruise ship calls increased from 48 to 56, while transit passengers rose 25%, reaching 87,270. 

However, the port reported 78,228 cruise passengers in 2025, indicating a decline from 2024. 

Ancona Cruise Passenger Statistics

The available official port data does not provide a continuous five-year, month-by-month passenger series in the published news releases. Therefore, inventing monthly figures for January through December would create false statistics.

Instead, the official seasonal data shows that Ancona’s cruise activity is strongly concentrated in the warmer months. In 2024, the planned cruise season ran broadly from April through October. MSC’s MSC Lirica alone was scheduled for 30 calls, while other cruise operators added further visits. 

For 2025, Ancona announced 41 cruise calls from April through November, with MSC accounting for 28 dates. Viking’s Viking Star was also scheduled to make its first Ancona call on 29 November 2025. 

Five-Year Monthly Data: What Can Be Verified

A crucial point for publishing accurate travel statistics is that annual port totals and monthly cruise schedules are not the same thing.

The Port Authority maintains downloadable statistical datasets for 2023, 2024 and 2025, including dedicated Ancona tables. 

The verified published figures currently establish:

This is more reliable for publication than manufacturing monthly passenger numbers that the authority has not published in the accessible releases.

What This Means for Travellers

The bigger story is not simply that Viking has ordered two ships.

The order arrives during a period of record global cruise demand, major fleet investment and increasing competition among cruise brands.

Viking’s new vessels will be substantially smaller than ships from Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Princess. That distinction may appeal to travellers looking for a different cruise scale.

For visitors interested in Italy, Ancona adds another dimension. The city’s cruise growth has already brought more international passengers into Marche, while official port data shows that cruise visitors also explore destinations including the Conero Riviera, Frasassi Caves, Urbino, Senigallia and other regional attractions. 

The 2032 Viking ships therefore arrive in a market that is already expanding, while Ancona continues positioning itself as an Adriatic cruise gateway.

Conclusion

Ancona is entering an exciting new chapter as Viking’s two new ocean ships strengthen the city’s future cruise prospects. The vessels, planned for 2032, will each accommodate 998 passengers and feature approximately 54,300 gross tonnes. More importantly, the development adds another reason for international travellers to watch Italy’s Adriatic coast. As Viking continues expanding its fleet, Ancona could become an increasingly interesting gateway for cruise holidays combining Italian culture, coastal experiences and Mediterranean travel. For travellers, the real excitement will come when Viking reveals the ships’ names, itineraries, homeports and booking dates, potentially opening fresh cruise opportunities across Europe.