The keel laying ceremony for Viking Sun, the fourth of planned six cruise ships Viking Ocean Cruises has ordered from Fincantieri, took place today at the shipyard in Ancona, the cruise line said in a statement.

The first building block of the ship, about 11 meters long, 28.8 wide and weighing about 280 tons, is part of the central section of Viking Sun, due to delivery in 2017.

Viking Sun, as its sister ships, will be placed in the small cruise ship segment. In fact, with a gross tonnage of about 47,800 tons, it will have 465 cabins with accommodation for 930 passengers, with a total capacity of over 1,400 people, including the crew. "The ship has been designed by experienced naval architects and engineers, including an interior design team of London-based SMC Design, and Los Angeles-based Rottet Studios," the company said.