Discover the Viking-Vela: Ratings & Maritime News

As of January 17, the cruise vessel 'Viking Vela' remains docked in Ålesund following an unexpected three-day visit triggered by harsh weather and propulsion difficulties during its inaugural voyage. Originally scheduled to depart on January 16 at 6 p.m. local time, the captain announced additional delays, citing continuing adverse weather in the North Atlantic, where wind gusts have reached alarming speeds between 45 and 61 miles per hour. The inclement weather, characterized by 100-mile-per-hour winds and towering 35-foot swells, has resulted in reported injuries among passengers and damage to the ship’s interior. The vessel, which set sail from London on January 10, was on a 12-night expedition titled “In Search of the Northern Lights,” aiming to explore scenic destinations like Narvik, Tromsø, and Alta. However, the severe conditions have not only impacted the Viking Vela but also disrupted the itineraries of other vessels in the region, including the Hurtigruten expedition ship 'Kong Harald,' which had to cancel its stops at several coastal towns on January 16 and 17 due to the relentless storms. Weather forecasts suggest improvements may not occur until the afternoon of January 18, leaving travelers and crew alike anxiously awaiting a safe return to the seas.

The cruise ship 'Viling Vela' has announced a change in its itinerary, now set to remain docked in Ålesund until the evening of January 16. Passengers hoping to journey towards northern Norway for a glimpse of the Northern Lights will be disappointed, as the vessel will instead be rerouted to explore the stunning Hardangerfjord and Aurlandsfjord. Additionally, the ship will make stops in the vibrant cities of Bergen and Stavanger. This modification is attributed to necessary engine inspections and the adverse stormy weather conditions in the region.

As of January 15, the cruise ship 'Viking Vela' remains docked in Ålesund following propulsion issues that arose during a turbulent voyage. Passengers aboard experienced significant concerns as the ship encountered rough seas and wind gusts reaching up to 45 meters per second, leading many to believe that the failure was due to the stabilizer system. To alleviate fears, the captain frequently addressed the guests over the loudspeaker, providing updates and ensuring their safety. Guests were instructed to remain in their cabins, while the ship made a 180-degree turn to return to Ålesund. They were finally permitted to disembark at 6:15 a.m. Guided by the Coastguard vessel 'Hopen' and several tugboats, the 'Viking Vela' successfully navigated into the harbor while ultimately proceeding under its own power, docking at Stornespiren without towing assistance. The original itinerary had the 'Viking Vela' scheduled to arrive in Narvik on January 14, before continuing on to Tromsø and Alta, with the cruise set to conclude in Bergen on January 22. As the situation develops, the next steps for the cruise ship remain unclear. For continuous updates and more details, visit the discussion thread here: [Cruise Ship Viking Vela Has Steering Problem](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/cruise-ship-viking-vela-has-steering-problem/71591/3).