AN EVER-EVOLVING JOURNEY: VIKEN GROUP INTRODUCES 196-METRE CRUISE YACHT PROJECT

Viken Group is sailing into the summer by releasing a brand-new, sustainable, cruise yacht concept: REI.

REI is a 196m cruise yacht developed by the Viken Group. Blending adventure, sustainability, and exclusivity, it offers an ever-evolving guest experience with cutting-edge design.

The 196-metre project serves to solidify the company’s status as the true pioneer of this new luxury cruise yacht segment. REI is a collaborative effort between all three brands of the Viken Group — TDoS (Tillberg Design of Sweden) with its 60 years of experience in high-end cruise ship design, along with Hot Lab and Thalia Marine.

Fredrik Johansson, Co-Founder of the Viken Group and Executive Director of TDoS, comments: “We are thrilled to introduce REI. The 196-metre project is the perfect illustration of the combined offerings of the Viken Group, where we manage exterior styling, engineering, master planning and interior under one umbrella. We can thereby help our clients in streamlining the process dramatically, controlling the investment, and optimising the outcome for both the guest and the operator. The yacht will come out and make money much sooner – and be far more successful and prosperous during its lifespan”.

Purposeful exteriors, tranquil inside Martin Butler, Creative Director at TDoS, comments on her design: “With her streamlined lines creating an understated yet striking impression on the water, REI’s exteriors draw their inspiration from nature: a protective and hard outer shell encasing a soft, cosy interior. The purposeful exterior design, with its dynamic and progressive curves, nods towards a technical, industrial and automotive aesthetic.”

In contrast, her contemporary interior offers guests a balance of warmth, tactile materials and lighting which adjusts according to the desired atmosphere and comfort levels. Step inside and slow down. Here, you can experience tranquillity and a rare digital detox.

Beautifully balanced private and public spaces spanning 196 metres across a vast 10 decks and with a generous beam of 28 metres, REI can accommodate up to 112 guests and 125 crew members who bring outstanding levels of service on board. Highly efficient in her layout, she features one main avenue which cleverly connects all of the different entertainment areas on board.

Indeed, REI’s carefully considered design is laser-focused on boosting the guest experience and provides the perfect balance between private and shared spaces, with numerous dedicated areas available for exclusive use.

As Enrico Lumini, co-founder and design director of Hot Lab, part of the Viken Group, explains: “Exterior deck spaces can be booked for private functions, and guests can enjoy relaxing in private pools connected to the suites’ beautiful terraces as well as letting off steam in semi-private spas.”

As a truly exceptional cruise yacht in both her scale and technical capabilities, REI—whose multi-faceted name has many connotations, including ‘beautiful’ and ‘graceful’ in Japanese—has too many outstanding areas to name.

Focusing on just a few, REI’s duplex suites provide private winter gardens with pools and massage areas. Other notable amenities include her double-height windows, which showcase uninterrupted panoramic views and connect to a spa and observation lounge, as well as her stunning forward infinity pool.

Ultra-sustainable and adventure-ready with numerous potential sustainable propulsion possibilities—electric, hydrogen, solar and wind—REI is primed and ready for globe-trotting adventures. A secondary 27-metre expedition vessel, which could be powered by electric or solar power, would provide those on board with easy embarkation and disembarkation aft thanks to its adaptable and multipurpose beach club/sea courtyard. 

An unrepeatable onboard journey furthermore, guests on board REI will also experience a unique itinerary unmatched by any other expedition craft. This dynamic cruise yacht would offer an ‘ever-evolving’ journey, with the general entertainment, activities and menus changing depending on the time of year and the area visited, thus enabling guests to be fully immersed in their surroundings.

Her exploratory dining experience is themed ‘from sea, to land, to sky’ and is set to provide guests with a diverse and delectable range of cuisines. Thanks to this constant adaptation, REI can be described as truly ‘alive’ to the needs of those lucky enough to stay on board.

Antonio Romano, Commercial and Marketing Director at Viken Group added: “The market for cruise yachts is currently looking very promising. The Four Seasons yacht will hit the water soon, and numerous other high-end brands are looking to enter this space. Thanks to our three brands—TDoS, Hot Lab, and Thalia Marine—Viken Group can harness our unique expertise across superyachts, cruise ships and refits, meaning we are perfectly positioned to make our mark.”