Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1043876
v i k i n g c r u i s e s . c o m . a u 13 Welcome, Viking Orion A ship that pays tribute to space exploration In June 2018, we named our fifth ocean ship, Viking Orion, during a spectacular celebration in Livorno, Italy. The ship then embarked on a maiden voyage with her ceremonial godmother, American chemist and retired NASA astronaut Dr. Anna Fisher. Viking Orion was named after the renowned Orion constellation and in honour of Dr. Fisher's work on NASA's Orion exploration vehicle project. Viking Orion features several onboard experiences that pay tribute to space exploration: The Explorers' Dome: A planetarium-like theatre where guests can view special panoramic films about space exploration, including 'Life Under the Arctic Sky' and 'Journey to Space', in a fully immersive environment. Explorations in Space Collection: A photographic journey through space, this collection includes an extensive range of vintage photographs, portraits of astronauts and documents relating to complex space missions produced by NASA. Each image was captured by National Geographic photographers and the Apollo and Gemini astronauts themselves. Viking Resident Astronomer: Building on the success of the Viking Resident Historian program, Viking Orion is the first ship in the fleet to feature a resident astronomer. Howard Parkin, a Royal Astronomical Society fellow and founding member of the IOM Astronomical Society, will lead lectures and stargazing sessions onboard Viking Orion during her maiden season throughout 2018. Viking Orion will continue her maiden season, sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean before heading east to sail Viking's newest itineraries in Asia, Australia and Alaska. To experience Viking Orion, choose from one of the following itineraries: - Australia & New Zealand (Sydney to Auckland) - Australia, Asia & Alaska (Sydney to Vancouver) - Grand Pacific Explorer (Auckland to Vancouver) - South Pacific Sojourn (Bangkok to Sydney) - Komodo & the Australian Coast (Bali to Sydney) Explorers Dome Explorers Dome