Discover the Zhao-Shang-Yi-Dun: Ratings & Maritime News

In a significant shift for the luxury cruise industry in China, China Merchants, one of the nation's leading industrial firms, has decided to withdraw from its ambitious endeavor to create a luxury cruise segment domestically. The company has listed the 'Viking Yi Dun'—formerly known as the 'Viking Sun'—for sale. Acquired from Viking in 2021 for close to $400 million as part of a joint venture, this vessel has had a challenging journey since its transformation and renaming. Originally launched with high expectations, the ship was introduced into the market amid ongoing pandemic restrictions, limiting its operations to coastal cruises from major ports like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Tianjin. In an effort to recoup its investment, China Merchants filed for the listing on the Beijing Stock Exchange in February 2026 with a minimum bidding price set at RMB 2.9 billion (around $420 million). Bids are expected to be submitted by mid-March, raising speculation about Viking's potential interest in reacquiring the ship, although it has recently been removed from their online listings. The sale comes with stringent conditions, requiring the new owner to dissociate from the China Merchants brand within one month post-purchase. This mandate prohibits any marketing that references the previous affiliation and stipulates that crucial Viking branding elements—such as names for public areas and onboard systems—are not transferred with the sale. Buyers will need to negotiate a new licensing agreement with Viking to retain those features or opt to forgo them entirely. Initially aimed at the high-end Chinese luxury market, the venture's outlook changed as the country grappled with the realities of the pandemic and high pricing strategies. Despite attempts to pivot towards eight-day cruise offerings and international marketing efforts, the vessel struggled to reach its passenger capacity, averaging only 600 aboard its trips, which did not align with the financial expectations for profitability. Plans for a European repositioning of the ship emerged by 2026, marking another chapter in its turbulent operational history.

On April 10, the Viking Sun docked in the Bay of Gibraltar to facilitate a compassionate disembarkation for eight individuals, consisting of seven Canadian passengers and one crew member. The transfer occurred at sea, allowing these Canadians to reach land and subsequently board a British Airways flight to London, from where they will continue their journey back to Canada. This operation was set in motion following a formal request from the Canadian High Commissioner based in London. Importantly, the Viking Sun reported no Covid-19 cases on board and provided a clean maritime declaration, allowing compliance with local regulations. The Gibraltar Port Authority granted this exemption for the humanitarian transfer despite the current restrictions on routine cruise arrivals amid the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown measures.

In a swift response to a medical emergency, the United States Coast Guard executed a medevac operation for a 68-year-old woman aboard the cruise ship 'Viking Sun', located approximately 225 miles south of San Diego on January 1, 2020. The crew of 'Viking Sun' alerted the Coast Guard Sector San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center at around 8:20 a.m., reporting that a passenger was exhibiting stroke-like symptoms and needed urgent medical attention. In response, Coast Guard personnel promptly dispatched a C-27 Spartan aircraft from Air Station Sacramento alongside a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Sector San Diego. A paramedic from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) Team was also included in the helicopter crew for specialized medical support. Upon reaching the scene, the Jayhawk helicopter crew deployed a rescue swimmer to evaluate the patient's condition on board the cruise ship. Following the assessment, they lowered a rescue basket to safely hoist the passenger into the helicopter. The woman was then transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, arriving shortly after 12:40 p.m. Fortunately, she was reported to be in stable condition, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Coast Guard and emergency medical teams.

On February 10, 2019, a dramatic rescue unfolded off the coast of Santa Maria Island, located in the commune of Coronel. The vessel 'Talcahuano' conducted a medical evacuation (medevac) of an American passenger, Sheila Eaton, aged 66, who had sustained a serious head injury aboard the 'Viking Sun' cruise ship. Despite challenging weather conditions and strong winds that complicated the operation, the crew of the 'Talcahuano' successfully transferred Sheila after 1.5 hours of careful efforts. Accompanying her during the evacuation were her husband and a physician from the cruise ship. Once safely aboard the 'Talcahuano', they made their way to Coronel Bay, where Sheila was promptly transported to a medical facility for further evaluation and treatment. For more information, including photos from the scene, visit the Spanish-language report at http://www.login.cl/noticias/9201-armada-evacuo-a-pasajera-estadounidense-desde-crucero-en-las-cercanias-de-coronel.