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

**Title: Major Shift: Chinese Cruise Ship 'Viking Yi Dun' Hits the Market** **Content:** In a significant move within the maritime industry, China Merchants, a powerhouse in China's industrial sector, has decided to forgo its ambitions of establishing a luxury cruise experience in the Chinese market. This change of direction has led to the decision to put the 'Viking Yi Dun' up for sale, a ship that was acquired from Viking in 2021 for nearly $400 million as part of a strategic partnership. Originally named 'Viking Sun,' the vessel was rebranded as 'Zhao Shang Yi Dun' and was officially listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange in February 2026, carrying a starting price of RMB 2.9 billion, equating to approximately $420 million. Bidding for the vessel was anticipated to close by mid-March, igniting speculation that Viking might consider repurchasing the ship; however, the vessel has since been removed from Viking's official listings. Potential buyers will have to adhere to stringent conditions set by China Merchants, including the requirement to erase any reference to the China Merchants brand from the ship within one month post-purchase. Furthermore, any marketing efforts can't reference the previous collaboration with China Merchants. It’s essential to note that while the Viking brand, alongside the names of onboard public areas such as restaurants and operating systems, were part of the initial deal, they are not included in the current sale. Buyers will have the option to negotiate a new licensing agreement with Viking, or choose to proceed without these branded elements. Initially targeting the affluent Chinese luxury market, the launch of the vessel in 2021 coincided with China’s strict pandemic lockdowns, which limited its operations to coastal cruises from major ports like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Tianjin. The pricing structure for these cruises was considered steep by local standards, and additional onboard expenditures further inflated the total travel costs. As the international cruise market reopened, the joint venture aimed to pivot the 'Viking Yi Dun' from short five-day coastal cruises to longer eight-day journeys. Viking attempted to market the ship internationally for cruises departing from China during the periods of September to November 2024, and again in 2025. Despite these efforts, the ship often operated with just 600 passengers — a stark contrast to its full capacity of 930 — resulting in consistent financial losses. By 2026, the strategy was refocused, with plans to reposition the vessel within European waters. This transition underscores the evolving landscape of the cruising industry as companies adjust to market demands and operational challenges in the post-pandemic era.

The 'Viking Sun' has arrived in the Bay of Gibraltar on April 10 to disembark seven passengers and one crew member, all of whom were of Canadian nationality. The eight were transferred at sea and ferried to land, where they will catch a BA flight to London before travelling home to Canada. The transfer, which was announced earlier this week, followed a request from the Canadian High Commissioner in London. There were no cases of Covid-19 on board the 'Viking Sun' and the ship has submitted a clear maritime declaration, therefore she was clear to enter port waters to conduct the operation in the latest in a number of exemptions granted by the Gibraltar Port Authority on humanitarian grounds, with routine cruise calls banned under the Covid-19 lockdown regulations.

The US Coast Guard medevaced a 68-year-old woman from the 'Viking Sun' approximately 225 miles south of San Diego on Jan 1, 2020. The crew of the 'Viking Sun' contacted Coast Guard Sector San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center watchstanders at approximately 8:20 a.m. requesting assistance for a passenger who was displaying symptoms of a stroke. Watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan crew and a Coast Guard Sector San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew with a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) Team paramedic aboard to assist. Once on scene, the Jayhawk crew lowered the rescue swimmer to the cruise ship to assess the patient. The helicopter crew then lowered a rescue basket to hoist the patient into the helicopter and transported her to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla just after 12:40 p.m. The patient was reported to be in stable condition.

On Feb 10, 2019, the "Talcahuano" medevaced an American passenger of the "Viking Sun" off the island Santa Maria, in the commune of Coronel. The patient, identified as Sheila Eaton, aged 66 years, jad suffered a head injury and was cared for by the paramedics of the ship before being taken off in complicated conditions due to strong wind. Only after several attempts and after 1,5 hours she waas aboad the "Talcahuano" and taken to Coronel Bay together with her husband and a doctor of the cruise ship, from where she was transferred to a hospital for further diagnosis and treatment. Spanish report with photos: http://www.login.cl/noticias/9201-armada-evacuo-a-pasajera-estadounidense-desde-crucero-en-las-cercanias-de-coronel