Viking Polaris

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

The vessel (IMO number 9863209) is currently Norway-flagged (MMSI 259144000) and registered in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen.

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

Fincantieri's VARD shipbuilding company specializes in marine engineering, design, and construction of small-capacity (200–400 passengers) luxury expedition ships for premium brands such as Ponant and Hapag-Lloyd. Additional details about 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 an expedition cruise ship, Viking Polaris carries her own fleet of inflatable Zodiacs (used for tendering and shore landings), RIBs (rigid-hulled inflatable boats), and sea kayaks. The ship’s design includes multiple spacious open-deck areas, including the Promenade Deck and the bow-located Observation Deck (forward on the Lounge Deck).

Shipboard facilities

Signature facilities on Viking Expeditions vessels include the Explorers Lounge (two-deck, observatory-style), Aquavit Terrace (indoor-outdoor sundeck/bar lounge with retractable glass roof), The Living Room (lounge), The Library (reading lounge), The Hide, The Shelter, and The Bow (indoor-outdoor 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), wellness complex (Hydrotherapy Pool, Hair Salon/Spa Lounge, Gym/Fitness Center, unisex sauna, massage rooms), Promenade Deck (full-circuit), 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 connects decks 2 through 5. Staircases (both interior and exterior) provide access between all decks.

The Hide is a cozy bar located within the bow (forward on Deck 1), featuring floor-to-ceiling slanted windows and comfortable seating. On select evenings, the venue hosts “Storytelling at The Hide” (starting at 9 PM), where members of the Expedition Team share personal and professional experiences. The bar serves soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, including cocktails and aquavit (a traditional Scandinavian spirit).

Explorers Lounge (Decks 5–6) is a bow-facing, two-deck-high, circular observation lounge with wraparound glass walls. In the evenings, it hosts live performances by resident musicians (pianist, guitarist, classical trio). The venue includes its own bar (Explorers Bar on Deck 5), a small outdoor terrace, and also functions as a quiet reading lounge with a curated book selection. The decor features maritime artifacts, and at night, the windows are illuminated with constellation patterns.

Aula Auditorium (Deck 2 aft) is a glass-walled venue with tiered seating used for lectures, presentations, port talks, and live entertainment. It features floor-to-ceiling windows with 270-degree views and direct access to Finse Terrace. The auditorium also functions as a cinema, equipped with a retractable screen and advanced audio-visual systems. Finse Terrace is an adjacent outdoor lounge with padded seating and fire pits (heated lava rocks), also used for alfresco dining and drinks when weather permits.

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

Dining venues include The Restaurant (fine dining with regional specialties and classic dishes), The World Cafe (market-style buffet with open kitchen, live cooking stations, bakery, grill stations, seafood bar with sushi, and international cuisine), Mamsen’s (Deck 5, traditional Scandinavian dishes and light fare), and 24-hour complimentary Room Service.

The Hangar is an aft-located indoor marina designed for launching RIBs. It features a 26 m (85 ft) wide, roller-equipped slipway, allowing safe and sheltered boarding within the ship.

All expedition equipment is provided complimentary to passengers, regardless of cabin category. This includes Zodiacs (used for landings and coastal cruising), two-seater sea kayaks, two RIB boats (12 seats each), and two mini-submarines (model "U-Boat Worx Cruise Sub 7" with six rotating passenger seats and spherical viewing windows). Each guest also receives an Expedition Kit (cold-weather boots, waterproof pants, snowshoes, trekking poles, skis, binoculars). All expedition craft are equipped with modern safety gear, including satellite phones, VHF radios, life jackets, and survival kits.

Viking Cruises partners with leading institutions such as Cambridge University’s Scott Polar Research Institute, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Scientists from these organizations regularly join voyages to conduct research and deliver expert lectures, enhancing the onboard educational experience.

Decks and Cabins

Most Viking Polaris staterooms (184 of 189 total) feature French balconies, excluding only Deck 6’s Suites (OS-Owner, ES-Explorer). Cabin sizes range from 21 m2 (Nordic Balcony / French Balcony) to 114 m2 (Owner Suite with a 73 m2 Terrace Garden). Explorer Suites feature a shared balcony (Terrace Garden Lounge).

Viking Expeditions Viking Polaris staterooms offer the following complimentary amenities and services:

• King-size bed ("Viking Explorer" with deluxe mattresses and linens, cashmere blankets), optional twin-bed configuration, wall-mounted bedside reading lamps, Marius-pattern wool blankets
• En-suite bathroom (with heated floor and mirror), glass-door shower, hairdryer, premium toiletries (by Freyja), bathrobes, slippers, towel warmers, and ample storage space
• Seating area with sofa, low table, vanity desk with chair, wardrobe, full-length mirror with integrated lighting (also functions as a night light), floor-to-ceiling drying closet
• Satellite phone (direct dial), LCD HDTV with infotainment system (Internet access, room service ordering, movies-on-demand, live webcams, ship channel, lectures, port talks), binoculars (in-cabin use only), electronic safe, individual climate control, 220V/110V outlets, coffee machine, minibar (water, soft drinks, snacks)

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

The ship has 7 decks, all passenger-accessible, including 4 with cabins.

Viking Expeditions cruise fares are all-inclusive and include:

• One complimentary excursion in each port of call
• Complimentary beverages, including beer and house wine at lunch and dinner (selection includes red, white, and occasionally rosé)
• Free Wi-Fi and unlimited Internet access
• Complimentary specialty restaurant dining (excluding the lowest-category Balcony cabins)
• Gratuities (recommended USD 14 per person per day) automatically added to onboard accounts, adjustable at Reception; alcoholic purchases include a 15% service charge
• Additional beverages at bars and lounges are extra (approximate prices: $6 cocktails, $4 beer, $5–6 wine by the glass). The "Silver Spirits" package ($420 per cabin for two guests) includes unlimited cocktails (up to $9 each), beers, premium wines, one bottle of sparkling wine, specialty coffees, and soft drinks

The 24-hour Room Service menu includes pasta (Bolognese, pesto, Pomodoro), grilled 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 of the expedition fleet include 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, priced from approximately USD 14,000 per person (double occupancy). Antarctic cruises depart roundtrip from Ushuaia, Argentina, starting from around USD 15,000 per person and include fly-cruise packages from Buenos Aires with hotel stays and return flights.

Exclusive early booking promotions for past guests and travel agents were available from October 10 to 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- 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 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 visit destinations in Ontario, Canada (Thunder Bay, Toronto, Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Point Pelee) and US states including Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (Detroit, Alpena, Mackinac Island, Apostle Islands, Houghton, Traverse City, Milwaukee, Duluth) and transit the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie.

Canadian itineraries include New York City, Halifax, Gulf of St. Lawrence (including Cape Breton), Charlottetown, Magdalen Islands, Sept-Iles, Saguenay, Quebec City, Trois-Rivieres, and Montreal, with transit through Seaway Locks to Lake Ontario.

Antarctic itineraries include two domestic charter flights (Buenos Aires–Ushuaia) and a pre-cruise hotel stay. Key destinations include Beagle Channel, Drake Passage, Cape Horn, Half Moon Island, Deception Island, Brown Bluff, Wiencke Island, Lemaire Channel, Petermann Island, Cuverville Island, and Neko Harbour (Antarctic Peninsula).

Arctic itineraries include Tromso, Svalbard, polar ice cap cruising, Spitsbergen (Barentsburg, Smeerenburg, Alicehamna, Hornsund, Nordfjorden, Liefdefjorden), Bjornoya (Bear Island), and Barents Sea cruising.