Portsmouth marked the first arrival of the Viking Venus, the most recent addition to the Viking fleet. The port announced this in a press release.
The ship will be officially named on May 17th by her ceremonial godmother, journalist and broadcaster Anne Diamond.
Venus will then set sail for spring and summer departures from May 22nd, using Portsmouth as her home port for the first five voyages on Viking’s England’s Scenic Shores route.
“We are honored to make the worldwide debut of Viking Venus as the cruise line resumes operations and domestic passenger sailing starts. Everyone has worked incredibly hard during the pandemic to respond quickly to new health protocols.” Take action and stand ready to assist travel as soon as restrictions allow, ”said Mike Sellers, Portsmouth International Port Director.
“The Portsmouth departures are cruises across the UK. We have extensive plans to protect employees, passengers and the community under the UK Chamber of Shipping Cruises framework,” he added.
Those who sail these trips will experience Viking’s industry leading health and safety program. According to the press release, Viking’s health and safety program was developed in collaboration with an international team of medical advisors, including Dr. Raquel C. Bono, Viking Chief Health Officer.
Using a full laboratory installed on every Viking ocean ship, all guests and crew members are often given quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests.
Viking has also installed new air purification technology for its entire fleet, which has always had independent ventilation devices for all guest cabins. Additional health checks, disinfection and distancing measures offer the guests and the crew of the Vikings further protection at all points of the trip.
Sellers was impressed with the consideration given to the cruise industry, and Viking in particular, to ensure that safety is paramount.
“I was impressed with the detail and the coordination beyond what is required,” he noted.
The Viking News comes after Portsmouth invested in expanding the cruise berth to make logistics operations efficient and convenient.
