Photo Tour: All Aboard the Space-Themed 'Viking Orion' Cruise Ship!

Star Explorers Lounge

Viking Cruises

Viking Orion houses an extensive collection of books, appealing to interests in science, art, culture and exploration.

The library in the Explorer's Lounge features touches of Nordic history and offers a serene environment for passengers to read and relax on board.

NEXT: Meeting an Astronaut

Meeting an Astronaut

Samantha Mathewson

Space reporter Samantha Mathewson is photographed here with retired NASA astronaut Anna Fisher, who was honored as the "godmother" of Viking Orion during the official naming ceremony for the ship on June 14. More: Astronaut Anna Fisher Talks About Being 'Godmother' to Viking Orion Cruise Ship

NEXT: The Astronaut and Finse

The Astronaut and Finse

Viking Cruises

Anna Fisher is photographed here with Finse, the Hagens' yellow Labrador. Finse joined passengers on the maiden voyage of Viking Orion, which served as a "shakedown" cruise.

The vessel continued its maiden-season sailing itineraries in the eastern and western Mediterranean this summer before heading east to sail at Asia, Australia and Alaska.

NEXT: The World of Finse

The World of Finse


Samantha Mathewson

Viking publishes an educational children's book series, "The World of Finse," which stars Finse and showcases the adventures of Viking.



To celebrate of Viking Orion's maiden voyage, "Finse Explores the Universe" was released on June 14. It was written to inform children about the terrestrial world and beyond.



NEXT: Snow Grotto at Sea

A Snow Grotto at Sea

Viking Cruises

Like other Viking ships, Orion features a snow grotto as part of its spa.

The traditional Nordic bathing ritual includes alternating trips from the sauna to the snow grotto. This ritual serves as a detox for your body by boosting circulation and your immune system.

NEXT: In Monaco!

In Monaco

Samantha Mathewson

On June 16, the ship docked in Monte Carlo, Monaco, which is a tiny, independent city-state on France's Mediterranean coastline. Space reporter Samantha Mathewson stands on a cliff overlooking the bustling port.

NEXT: Talking Space on Orion

Talking Space on Orion

Viking Cruises

A panel of 15 NASA astronauts gathered in the Star Theater on June 16 to share their favorite experiences in space and talk about what's next for space travel.

During the panel, called "Explorations in Space: A Conversation," NASA astronaut Drew Feustel called the cruise ship from orbit, marking the first time that the International Space Station has contacted a nonmilitary vessel.

NEXT: Cruise Coins

Cruise Coins

Samantha Mathewson

Four symbolic coins were welded to Viking Orion during the float-out ceremony in September 2017, as part of an ancient ship builders' tradition to ensure good fortune and safe passage at sea.

The coins are inscribed with the birth years of Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen, "Mamsen" (Hagen's mother), Anna Fisher; and Finse, the Hagen family's yellow Labrador. The coins are located below the ship's mast.

Follow Samantha Mathewson @Sam_Ashley13. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

Samantha Mathewson
Contributing Writer

Samantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News. When not writing or reading about science, Samantha enjoys traveling to new places and taking photos! You can follow her on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13.