WORLD SHIP SOCIETY

While the origins of Royal Viking Line can be traced back to 1967, its true origins go back much further. Bergen Line, the initial company behind what would become Royal Viking Line, had made a name for itself by operating cruises during the inter-war years with the luxurious yacht-like vessels STELLA POLARIS and METEOR.  After World War II, Bergen Line made a return to cruising operations using the 1931-built VENUS on winter cruises from Plymouth to Madeira and the Canary Islands and with the then new METEOR on cruises further afield.

Bergen Line looked to expand its cruising operations. The Line worked with Knud E. Hansen A/S on a cruise ship design with the intention to offer world-class cruising that was just that little bit more special than all other luxury ships at the time. Once the order had been placed, Bergen Line was approached by two other Norwegian shipping companies, Det Nordenfjelske and A F Klaveness, and in 1970 they founded Royal Viking Line.

Royal Viking Line achieved all that Bergen Line had envisaged and probably more. Its first three ships ROYAL VIKING STAR, ROYAL VIKING SKY, and ROYAL VIKING SEA became synonymous with worldwide luxury cruising. Although the life of Royal Viking Line itself was not long, it became legendary. The ships themselves led diverse careers though ending with companies that lavished care upon them and thus earning them legions more loyal followers. They sailed for almost 50 years, yet even at the end they seemed to remain timeless. This is their story.

Clive Harvey has a lifelong love of ocean liners. He is a former longtime editor of Sea Lines magazine and has written numerous ocean liner related articles and books, including R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, The Ultimate Ship. Clive currently resides in the UK and is the owner of a boutique B&B.

(Photo: Clive Harvey collection)