The vessel, which is set to debut early next year, will spend its maiden season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and northern Europe.

Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, said "it is always a proud day" when a new Viking ship meets water for the first time.

"Together with Fincantieri, we have built the world’s most elegant ocean vessels—and we look forward to welcoming our first guests onboard Viking Saturn when she is delivered next spring," Hagen added.

The traditional float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in Italy on Thursday (23 June) and began at 11am local time when the Viking team cut a cord that signalled water to flow into the ship’s building dock.

Following a two-day process which will set Viking Saturn afloat, it will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.