Table Of Content
Welcome to Viking Expeditions' version of an Antarctica cruise, where you get to see all the birds, icebergs, whales and seals of a regular White Continent expedition cruise, but with so many more creature comforts. Witness stunning vistas, unique wildlife and diverse cultures as you journey on a memorable voyage from the Earth’s far north to the extreme south. Admire Nuuk’s rugged beauty and the icy wilderness of the Canadian High Arctic. Pass through the scenic Canadian Maritimes, sail along the famed St. Lawrence Seaway and visit historic cities along the East Coast. Navigate the striking Chilean Fjords, before exploring the icy realm of Antarctica.
Researchers on Viking Expedition Ship Discover New Penguin Colony in Antarctica - TravelPulse
Researchers on Viking Expedition Ship Discover New Penguin Colony in Antarctica.
Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Viking Polaris Has Plenty of Lectures -- And They Are Actually Interesting
Follow in the wake of ancient explorers, who sailed these waters in search of new lands. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. Ask your Viking Expert for more information.Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.
Discover the “Last Continent”
When we first spied Antarctica after a calm Drake Passage, mimosas and pastries were served in the Explorers Lounge. A deckside BBQ with steaks, lobster tails, shrimp and sea bass took place on our sunny day below the Antarctic Circle -- the first time Viking Polaris had traveled that far south. We all received certificates in our cabin noting our status for both events. Programs like cloud identification and Happy Whale, where people can send in photos of whale flukes to track migration patterns, are easy to do and require a minimum of effort from passengers.
I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise
You can open the top of the window to take in the sights and smells of the outside from the comfort of your room. The Explorer Suite and the Owner’s Suite on the expedition ships also have private outdoor spaces. More rugged, helicopter-sightseeing and polar-plunge experiences are probably available on other lines visiting Antarctica, but clients looking for the most comfortable (and tasty) way to visit the icy continent should certainly consider Viking. Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen thanks our extended Viking family of guests and colleagues, following the July 12, 2022 announcement that Viking has been voted the world’s #1 for both rivers and oceans by Travel + Leisure as well as Condé Nast Traveler. One place where Viking Polaris passengers benefit from the larger size is in the extra amenities, such as the fitness center and spa.
Excursions include scenic outings to view wildlife and scenery; trips to Antarctica, where guests explore the area; submarine trips down to the ocean’s depths; and kayaking. In addition to being comfortable passenger cruise ships, Octantis and Polaris are research vessels. As such, scientists and researchers are cruising along with the passengers. This translates to unique opportunities to learn more from the specialists on board through their lectures and scientific work.
While it’s not the only area for unwinding, it dwarfs the Explorer’s Lounge, which serves top-shelf cocktails and the sounds of live piano every afternoon, and the chaise-filled Aquavit Terrace pool bar on the back of the ship. (The latter two spaces are also found on other Viking ships.) Though there are always quiet nooks to escape to—the size really is notable—the Living Room hosts a rotation of activities, too, including daily workshops with the resident photographer. This includes an extraordinary 87-day Longitudinal World Cruise expedition departing in September 2025 titled ‘From the Arctic to Antarctica.’ The cruise starts from Nuuk, Greenland, high above the Arctic Circle.
Booking Terms & Conditions
This is the first time a travel company has been voted the best across all three of these categories simultaneously, and the third consecutive year we have won for both rivers and oceans. Los Angeles (November 28, 2023) – Viking® () is celebrating the start of its third expedition season in Antarctica, as the Viking Octantis® and her identical sister ship, the Viking Polaris® have arrived again in the region. Both ships will spend the Austral summer in Antarctica, before returning to North America’s Great Lakes for voyages throughout the spring, summer and early fall. And that atmosphere of fun exploration and camaraderie, while still living large, is why I'm so happy that I went with Viking for my first Antarctica trip.
Named "World's Best" for Oceans, Rivers & Expeditions
Similar to Viking's ocean ships, Viking Polaris' fitness center has two rooms, one with cardio and weight equipment and the other with mats for yoga. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. Ingrid considers her Viking polar cruise a “trip of a lifetime.” That sums up the feelings of other happy adventurers who have explored a unique spot on the earth aboard the Viking Octantis or Polaris. In fact, you may consider packing just a carry-on suitcase and a personal item for this journey. Doing so negates the need to check baggage on your flights, eliminating the chance of the airline misplacing your luggage.
Onboard Education & Entertainment
Where passengers will really notice the size is in the sheer amount of public spaces. Viking Polaris boasts multiple outdoor decks, perfect for wildlife and iceberg viewing. There's never a point where you feel like you're elbowing others to get that iconic whale tail shot. Sail in the wake of intrepid explorers as you traverse the waters of the Chilean fjords. Sail the legendary waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the route of explorers for centuries.
The arrival of Viking’s expedition ships in Antarctica also marks the completion of two inaugural Longitudinal World Cruises—the 71-day Longitudinal World Cruise II, from Duluth to Ushuaia, and the 70-day Longitudinal World Cruise III, from Milwaukee to Ushuaia. These highly-rated Grand Journeys offer guests a variety of travel milestones in a single itinerary, sailing from the heart of North America through the engineering wonders like the Welland and Panama Canals, into the Chilean fjords and finally Antarctica. Following Viking’s upcoming third season in 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 sailing of the Longitudinal World Cruise II. With a capacity for 378, Viking Polaris is larger than most expedition ships that visit Antarctica. (One notable exception is Hurtigruten's pair of modern expedition ships, Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen, both of which have 500 passengers when they sail here).
Jørn Henriksen, Director of Expedition Operations, relates his passion for the landscape and wildlife of the Arctic and why our subject matter experts are uniquely positioned to lead Viking guests in the polar regions both on shore and on board. Join Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen as he reflects on the past year and looks ahead to the future in a New Year’s message for the extended Viking family of guests and crew. Dividing the “Old World” from the “New World,” sail the second-largest of the Earth’s oceans. Immerse yourself in Ilulissat’s Arctic heritage; admire the pristine waters of its ice fjord. Nordic balconies, as Viking calls them, ensure everyone can hear the blow of minke whale spouts right from bed—just hit a button and the top half of floor-to-ceiling windows recedes, allowing guests to feel the fresh air from the comfort of their couch.
The piece de resistance is the Badestamp, a hot tub next to an open window. Soaking here, as the White Continent floats by, brings a level of luxury to your bucket list that you didn't know you craved. Our SOB trip brought us within 20 meters of humpback whales, so close that we could hear them as they dove.
Cruise Greenland’s west coast and pass floating icebergs amid spectacular scenery. The cruises originate in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and conclude in Ushuaia, Argentina.
I still want that excitement and adventure that Antarctica brings, but without the pressure to wear myself out. Viking is bringing people to Antarctica with a minimum of stress -- and I see that as appealing to a wide swath of travelers. Unpredictability is the hallmark on expedition cruising, particularly in Antarctica where "pancake ice" can start forming before your eyes on a snowy day. The expedition staff sets this expectation off the bat; safety has to be the primary driver in this part of the world.
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