The Viking Octantis and its identical twin ship, the Viking Polaris, have arrived in Antarctica again, marking Viking in the region.
Both ships will spend the austral summer in Antarctica, before returning to the Great Lakes of North America for voyages during spring, summer and early autumn.
To meet the high demand for trips to Antarctica, Viking has also announced that the 2025-2026 season is now open for bookings, including a new 87-day expedition, From the Arctic to the Antarctic, sailing from Nuuk, Greenland to Ushuaia, Argentina.
Departing in September 2025, this voyage will allow guests to explore the natural beauty and waterways of the Canadian High Arctic before traveling up the east coast of North and South America, stopping at ports in the Caribbean, Peru and exploring Chilean glaciers before continuing on to Antarctica.
“As we welcome guests back for a third season in Antarctica, we are delighted to introduce even more opportunities for the curious traveler to experience this phenomenal region in the comfort of Viking,” said Torstein Hagen, President of Viking.
“By creating expeditions for the thinking person, our guests can explore some of Earth's most pristine destinations in the most responsible way possible, while also participating in significant scientific discoveries. On my own trip to Antarctica, I witnessed firsthand the incredible landscapes and wildlife this fascinating continent has to offer. In my opinion, everyone should experience Antarctica at least once in their lifetime“.
Global Longitudinal Cruises
The arrival of Viking's expedition ships in Antarctica also marks the completion of two inaugural Longitudinal World Cruises: the Longitudinal World Cruise IIfrom Duluth to Ushuaia, and the Longitudinal World Cruise IIIfrom Milwaukee to Ushuaia.
These Grand Journeys offer guests a variety of landmarks in a single itinerary, sailing from the heart of North America through engineering marvels such as the Welland and Panama Canals, to the Chilean fjords and finally, Antarctica.
Following Viking's upcoming third season on the Great Lakes, the Viking Polaris will sail the Longitudinal World Cruise IV from Milwaukee to Ushuaia in October 2024, and the Viking Octantis will embark on another voyage of the Longitudinal World Cruise II.
Viking expedition team and scientific partners
Viking has created the world's leading scientific enrichment environment on expeditions with the help of prestigious academic institutions. Exclusive partnerships with the Scott Institute for Polar Research at the University of Cambridge, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as other prestigious scientific organizations, bring leading researchers and educators on board every expedition.
Visiting researchers from partner institutions are part of the 36-person Viking Expedition Team, a diverse group of experts who guide guests through meaningful scientific work, provide guidance and interpretation during shore excursions, and deliver world-class lectures onboard.
In early 2023, the Viking Expedition Team published the company's first scientific paper, following observations of the scyphozoan Stygiomedusa gigantea, commonly known as the giant ghost jellyfish. The encounters occurred during the submersible's dives in the coastal waters of the Antarctic Peninsula in early 2022, and the paper was authored by two of Viking's senior scientists.
Viking expedition ships
The polar-class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris accommodate 378 guests in 189 cabins. The ships are purpose-built for expeditions, ideally sized for safety and comfort in remote destinations. With more indoor and outdoor viewing areas than other expedition vessels, guests are as close as possible to some of Earth's most magnificent landscapes. Highlights include:
Science
- The Aula: A panoramic auditorium inspired by the University of Oslo's ceremonial hall, the former venue for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. This space features a 4K laser-projected screen that retracts to reveal floor-to-ceiling windows and 270° views.
- Finse Terrace: The Finse Terrace is an open-air lounge area just above sea level with built-in seating. It was designed to allow guests to enjoy the ship's amenities outdoors while taking in the scenery.
- The Hangar: A state-of-the-art marina that facilitates the embarkation and disembarkation of special operations boats.
- The bow: An important platform offering a forward view. And in case of inclement weather, the Shelter is a comfortable, partially enclosed space.
- The Science Laboratory: Developed in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and Akvaplan-Niva. The Science Laboratory is designed to support a wide range of research activities and is equipped with wet and dry laboratory facilities.
- Expeditions Hub: The hub for the expedition team to consult with guests about their expedition activities and share knowledge about destinations, with the help of 3D printed maps, digital displays and a state-of-the-art spatial data visualization graphics table.
Gastronomy
The Restaurant offers fine regional cuisine and always-available classics; the informal World Café offers an open kitchen, bakery, grill, and premium seafood and sushi options, as well as a wide range of international flavors; Mamsen’s, named after the matriarch of the Hagen family, serves Scandinavian-inspired dishes; and Manfredi’s offers the best of Italian cuisine.
Leisure and entertainment
- The Nordic Spa: Offers guests the opportunity to experience the healthiest Nordic traditions, with a heated indoor pool surrounded by large windows and a badestamp (jacuzzi with wooden walls) open to the outside.
- Explorers' Lounge: Offers guests a space to contemplate the scenery, share discoveries with their travel companions, or enjoy a drink.
- The Salon: It is positioned to maximize views of the surrounding area through floor-to-ceiling windows and a library. The library is managed by the London bookstore Heywood Hill, as on all Viking ships.
- Nordic Balcony: For the first time on polar expedition ships, every cabin aboard Viking expedition vessels features a Nordic balcony. This sun deck transforms into an open-air observation platform with an elbow-height viewing shelf for stabilizing binoculars or a camera.
Viking's expedition ships have set a new standard for responsible travel with an energy-efficient design that exceeds Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements by nearly 38%. This includes an integrated bow that creates a longer waterline, engines with heat recovery systems, and electric propulsion.
The Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris have received one of the industry's first SILENT-E notations, the highest level certification for silent ship propulsion, which minimizes underwater noise pollution.
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
