Viking’s newest ocean ship, Viking Mira, made her official debut at a traditional naming ceremony in Venice.
Attorney, author, photographer and philanthropist Rebecca “Becky” Webb Wilson served as ceremonial godmother.
As part of the ceremony, Webb Wilson used a Viking broad axe to cut a ribbon, releasing a bottle of Norwegian aquavit to break on the ship’s hull.
“We are proud to welcome the new Viking Mira to our award-winning fleet of elegant sister ships,” said executive chairman of Viking, Torstein Hagen.
“We are also very honoured to have Rebecca as our newest Viking godmother. Her lifelong commitment to public service, exploration and cultural understanding is an inspiration to all of us.”
Webb Wilson began her career as a flight attendant at Pan American World Airways, before serving as an assistant US attorney.
An avid traveller and accomplished nature photographer, she has also founded youth leadership initiatives focused on bridging social and cultural divides.
Webb Wilson’s youth leadership program, Bridge Builders, aims to overcome prejudice and foster meaningful connections between students from different backgrounds and has welcomed over 20,000 participants so far.
Guests at the naming ceremony enjoyed performances by Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of Viking Jupiter.
Viking Mira joins Viking’s fleet of 15 ocean ships, boasting capacity for 998 guests across 499 all-veranda staterooms and a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons.
The vessel will continue her inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
