Back in December, Viking River Cruises surprised the industry when they announced that they will build 2 new 888pax ocean going ships in STX France yards. This will be the lines first attempt in blue water cruising.
Around a week ago, there was some talk that the deal was off and Viking was trying to get out of the contract.
It appears the talk finally came to fruition as the deal with STX appears to have fallen through. Italy’s Fincanteri has stepped in with a slightly larger design. Coming in at 45,000grt, she will host 998pax. Like the STX France deal, this MOU is still pending financing. When approved, the vessels would be completed in Fall 2014 &15.