Viking Octantis

The 2021-built Viking Octantis cruise ship is a newbuild vessel in the Viking Expeditions fleet (a division of Viking Ocean Cruises). Viking Octantis and her sistership Viking Polaris were scheduled for inauguration in Q2 2021 and Q2 2022, respectively. As the “Viking Ocean” brand focuses on all-inclusive ocean cruising, these two vessels are grouped under the separate luxury brand “Viking Expeditions.”

The vessel (IMO number 9863194) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI 259070000) and registered in Longyearbyen Spitsbergen.

Viking’s expedition ships are smaller in size (GT 30,150 tons) and have reduced passenger capacity (378 guests plus 260 crew and staff) compared to Viking Ocean liners, which carry approximately 930 passengers and 465 crew. Viking Expeditions vessels are built by the Norwegian shipbuilder VARD (a subsidiary of Fincantieri). The hull and superstructure were assembled at the shipyard in Tulcea Romania, then the vessel was towed to VARD Soviknes Shipyard (Alesund Norway) for final outfitting.

Fincantieri’s VARD shipbuilding division specializes in the design and construction of small-capacity (200–400 passengers) luxury vessels for premium brands such as Ponant and Hapag-Lloyd. Further details on Viking’s newbuilds, including their design (VARD-6 series), deck plans, staterooms, facilities, amenities, and services, were officially announced on January 16, 2020, when Viking Expeditions cruises went on sale.

As is typical for expedition cruise ships, Viking Octantis carries a fleet of inflatable Zodiacs (used for landings and coastal cruising), rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIBs), and sea kayaks. The ship’s design includes multiple open-deck spaces, such as the Promenade Deck and the forward-located Observation Deck.

Shipboard facilities

Signature facilities aboard Viking Expeditions ships include the Explorers Lounge (two-deck, observatory-style), Aquavit Terrace (indoor-outdoor sundeck bar with retractable glass roof), The Living Room (lounge), The Library (reading lounge), The Hide, The Shelter, and The Bow (wildlife viewing areas), The Laboratory, The Blue Room, Aula Auditorium (theater/cinema/conference venue), Finse Terrace, Expedition Central (photography studio/photo gallery/coffee bar), Shop, Nordic Spa Badestamp (hot tub room), and a wellness complex (hydrotherapy pool, salon, fitness center, sauna, massage rooms). Additional areas include the Promenade Deck (full-circle walkway), Observation Deck (top deck), Medical Centre (infirmary), and The Hangar (indoor marina for watercraft).

Four atrium lifts (glass-walled elevators) connect all decks. A fifth lift (aft) is wheelchair-accessible and serves decks 2 through 5. Staircases (both interior and exterior) connect all decks.

The Hide is a cozy bar located within the ship’s bow (forward on Deck 1), featuring floor-to-ceiling slanted windows and comfortable seating. On select evenings, it hosts “Storytelling at The Hide” sessions (typically starting at 9 pm), where members of the Expedition Team share personal and professional experiences. The bar serves both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, including cocktails and Aquavit (a traditional Scandinavian spirit).

The Explorers Lounge (Decks 5–6) is a forward-facing, two-deck-high observation lounge with wraparound glass walls. In the evenings, it hosts live performances by resident musicians. The lounge includes a bar (Explorers Bar on Deck 5) and an outdoor terrace. It also functions as a quiet reading space, offering a curated selection of books and comfortable seating. The decor features maritime artifacts, and at night, the panoramic windows are illuminated with constellations.

Aula Auditorium (Deck 2 aft) is a glass-walled venue with tiered seating, used for lectures, presentations, port talks, and live performances. It offers 270-degree views through floor-to-ceiling windows and direct access to the outdoor Finse Terrace. The auditorium doubles as a cinema, featuring a retractable screen and advanced audio-visual systems. Finse Terrace provides comfortable outdoor seating, firepit heating, and opportunities for alfresco dining and drinks.

The aft-located Aquavit Terrace is an indoor-outdoor pool deck lounge featuring three side-by-side infinity pools under a retractable glass roof. Each pool is maintained at a different temperature, and the central pool offers an indoor-outdoor swimming experience.

Dining venues include The Restaurant (fine dining with regional specialties), The World Cafe (market-style buffet with open kitchen and live cooking stations), Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant (Deck 1), Mamsen’s (Deck 5, serving Scandinavian dishes), and 24-hour Room Service (complimentary).

The Hangar, located at the stern, is an indoor marina for launching RIBs. It features a 26 m (85 ft) wide slipway with rollers, allowing safe and sheltered embarkation onto boats within the ship.

Expedition equipment is provided complimentary to all passengers and includes Zodiacs, two-seater sea kayaks, RIB boats (12 passengers each), two mini-submarines (U-Boat Worx Cruise Sub 7, each with 6 passenger seats and 270-degree viewing), and an Expedition Kit (cold-weather boots, waterproof pants, snowshoes, trekking poles, skis, binoculars). All tour craft are equipped with modern safety systems, including satellite phones, VHF radios, life jackets, ropes, and survival kits.

Viking Cruises has partnered with leading institutions such as the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Scientists from these organizations join voyages to conduct research and share their expertise through onboard lectures and interactive sessions.

Decks and Cabins

Most Viking Octantis staterooms (184 of 189) feature French balconies, with the exception of Deck 6 Suites (Owner’s and Explorer Suites). Cabin sizes range from 21 m² (Nordic Balcony) to 114 m² (Owner’s Suite with a 73 m² Terrace Garden). Explorer Suites share a balcony (Terrace Garden Lounge).

Viking Expeditions Viking Polaris staterooms include the following standard amenities and services:

• King-size bed (“Viking Explorer,” with deluxe mattresses and linens, cashmere blankets), convertible to twin beds, bedside reading lamps, Marius-pattern wool blankets.
• En-suite bathroom (heated floor and mirror, glass-door shower, hairdryer, premium Freyja toiletries, bathrobes, slippers, towel warmers, ample storage).
• Seating area with sofa, low table, vanity desk, wardrobe, full-length mirror with integrated lighting, and drying closet.
• Satellite phone, smart HDTV with infotainment system, binoculars (in-cabin use), electronic safe, climate control, 220V/110V outlets, coffee machine, and mini-bar (water, soft drinks, snacks).

The cabin keycard must be inserted into a slot by the entry door to activate power. All cabins include complimentary movies on demand and 24-hour room service. Suite categories also include complimentary laundry, pressing, shoeshine services, and a welcome Champagne bottle.

The ship has 7 decks, all accessible to passengers, including 4 with cabins.

Viking Expeditions cruise fares are all-inclusive and include:

• One complimentary shore excursion in each port of call.
• Complimentary beverages (beer and house wine at lunch and dinner).
• Free Wi-Fi and unlimited Internet access.
• Complimentary specialty restaurant dining (excluding the lowest-category cabins).
• Gratuities (USD 14 per person per day, automatically added to onboard accounts; adjustable at Reception). Alcoholic beverages incur a 15% automatic gratuity.
• Beverages at bars and lounges are not included (approx. $6 cocktails, $4 beer, $5–6 wine). The “Silver Spirits” package ($420 per cabin) includes unlimited cocktails (up to $9), beers, premium wines, one bottle of sparkling wine, specialty coffees, and unlimited soft drinks.

The 24-hour Room Service menu includes pasta (bolognese, pesto, pomodoro), grilled salmon, cured Norwegian salmon (gravlax), grilled chicken, burgers (including vegetarian), salads, and cheese plates. Breakfast options include sandwiches, French toast, pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, and fresh fruit.

Viking Expeditions itineraries

The inaugural itineraries for both expedition vessels are 13-day polar voyages—one in Antarctica and one in the European Arctic. Arctic cruises (to Svalbard Islands and Arctic Russia) are roundtrips from Tromso Norway, starting from approximately USD 14,000 per person. Antarctic voyages depart roundtrip from Ushuaia Argentina, with fly-cruise packages from Buenos Aires starting from around USD 15,000 per person.

Promotional offers were initially available for past customers and travel agents between October 10 and December 31, 2019. Viking Expeditions itineraries include:

• 44-day “From the Arctic to Antarctica” (Tromso to Ushuaia)
• 19-day “Antarctic and South America Discovery” (Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro)
• 18-day “South America and Antarctic Discovery” (Rio de Janeiro to Ushuaia)
• 15-day and 13-day “Antarctic Adventure” (Buenos Aires to Ushuaia)
• 15-day “Atlantic and Equator Sojourn” (Cork to Rio de Janeiro)
• 13-day “Arctic Adventure” (roundtrip from Tromso)
• 13-day “Viking’s Northern Isles” (Tromso to Cork)
• 13-day “Canadian Discovery” (New York City to Toronto)
• 10-day “Caribbean Connections” (Bridgetown to New York City)
• 8-day “Niagara and the Great Lakes” (Toronto to Milwaukee)
• 8-day “Undiscovered Great Lakes” (Thunder Bay to Milwaukee)
• 8-day “Great Lakes Explorer” (Milwaukee to Thunder Bay)

Great Lakes itineraries include destinations in Canada (Ontario) and the USA (Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin), including transit through the Soo Locks (Lake Superior–Lake Huron). Canadian itineraries visit ports such as NYC New York, Halifax, Quebec City, and Montreal.

Antarctic itineraries include charter flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, pre-cruise hotel stays, and destinations such as Beagle Channel, Drake Passage, Cape Horn, Half Moon Island, Deception Island, Brown Bluff, Wiencke Island, Lemaire Channel, Petermann Island, Cuverville Island, and Neko Harbor.

Arctic itineraries include Tromso, Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Bear Island, and Barents Sea cruising.