Viking
Viking Octantis | Antarctica
Overview
Viking brings a modern, science‑focused approach to expedition travel.
Viking is a premium expedition operator known for its refined Scandinavian design and a strong commitment to science‑led exploration. Their ships are purpose‑built for discovery, combining advanced technology with understated elegance. Interiors reflect a modern Nordic aesthetic, with clean lines, natural materials and a focus on light and views.
Their expedition programme blends comfort with meaningful fieldwork, supported by resident scientists, onboard laboratories and a wide range of specialist equipment. Viking’s approach is designed for curious travellers who want to explore the polar regions and remote coastlines while engaging with real research and expert‑led enrichment.
My experience with Viking spans two expedition voyages: a press trip to Canada on the Canadian Discovery itinerary aboard Viking Polaris and a PR‑invited voyage to Antarctica on the Antarctic Explorer itinerary aboard Viking Octantis. Together, they gave me a strong sense of Viking’s refined onboard atmosphere and its thoughtful, guest‑focused approach to expedition travel.
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Ship Overview
Number of expedition ships | 2
Ships | Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris
Year launched | 2022 (both)
Guest capacity | 378 guests
Ice class | Polar Class 6
Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are sister ships and virtually identical in design, layout and onboard experience.
The Hangar | Viking Octantis
Ship Design Features
The Hangar | An enclosed in‑ship marina for sheltered Zodiac and Special Operations Boat embarkation
Fleet of Special Operations Boats, Zodiacs, kayaks and region‑dependent submarines
Extensive indoor and outdoor viewing areas, including the Aula with 270° views
Nordic Balcony staterooms designed for wildlife observation
Dynamic positioning for stable, anchor‑free manoeuvring
Fin stabilisers and a U‑tank system that reduce rolling at sea and when stationary
Destinations
Antarctica
Canadian High Arctic
Eastern Canada
Great Lakes
Greenland
Patagonia & Chilean Fjords
South America
Chinstrap & Gentoo Penguins | Antarctica
Expedition Equipment
Viking’s ships carry a wide range of specialist equipment designed to support exploration in polar and remote environments, including:
The Hangar | Sheltered embarkation and re‑entry for small craft
Special Operations Boats | Military‑grade, ice‑strengthened vessels with convertible open/closed configurations
Zodiacs | A fleet of 17 reinforced boats for landings and wildlife viewing
Kayaks | Stable tandem kayaks suitable for polar and Great Lakes conditions
Submarines | 6‑guest submersibles with near‑spherical windows for wide‑angle viewing
Viking Expedition Kit | All necessary gear provided, plus a keepsake jacket on polar itineraries
Zodiac Boats | Antarctica
Onboard Experience
Viking’s ships are designed to bring the outside world in, with panoramic lounges, floor‑to‑ceiling windows and multiple viewing spaces. Key areas include:
Viewing & Lounges
Explorers’ Lounge | A Scandinavian‑inspired space for drinks and views
Finse Terrace | Heated outdoor seating close to the waterline
The Living Room & Library | Curated with polar‑focused collections
Wellness
The Nordic Spa | With sauna, Snow Grotto and traditional hot‑cold bathing rituals
Three‑temperature pools including an indoor‑outdoor pass‑through design
Education
The Aula | A panoramic auditorium used for lectures, briefings and films
The Nordic Spa | Viking Octantis
Staterooms & Suites
All staterooms include:
Floor‑to‑ceiling heated drying closets for expedition gear
King‑size bed with luxury linens
Spacious bathrooms with heated floors and premium amenities
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Nordic Balcony Staterooms
Designed as wildlife observatories with a lowering panoramic window and an observation shelf for photography.
Suites
Junior Suites and Explorer Suites offer expanded space, private verandas, larger bathrooms and additional amenities such as welcome champagne, stocked mini‑bar and priority reservations.
King-size Bed | Viking Polaris
Dining
Viking offers a range of dining venues inspired by regional flavours and Scandinavian traditions:
The Restaurant | Daily‑changing menus with local ingredients
Manfredi’s | Italian classics and trattoria‑style dishes
World Café | Open kitchen, seafood, sushi and grill options
Mamsen’s | Norwegian comfort dishes including waffles and open‑faced sandwiches
Aquavit Terrace | Al fresco dining and drinks with panoramic views
24‑hour room service and bakery options
The Restaurant | Viking Octantis
Enrichment & Science
Viking’s enrichment programme is designed for travellers who want to engage deeply with the places they visit. On board, guests can attend daily briefings and lectures from resident scientists, access a 380‑square‑foot wet and dry Science Lab, and participate in hands‑on fieldwork opportunities ashore.
Viking partners with the Scott Polar Research Institute and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, ensuring expert‑led insight across biology, geology, glaciology, oceanography and ornithology. Citizen science opportunities are available both on board and during landings.
Expedition Central
The hub for the expedition team to consult with guests on their daily activities, Expedition Central offers one‑to‑one guidance supported by 3D‑printed maps, digital displays and a state‑of‑the‑art spatial data visualisation chart table. It’s the place to explore route options, understand landing plans and gain deeper context about the regions visited.
The Studio
This multipurpose space hosts enrichment sessions with Viking’s Resident Scientists. Felt replicas of key avian species line the walls, helping guests learn to identify birds and understand their behaviours. Ornithologists from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology regularly lead sessions here as part of Viking’s Resident Scientists programme.
The Studio | Viking Octantis
Included Value
Viking’s expedition fares include:
One complimentary landing or shore excursion in every port
All meals, beer/wine/soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Free Wi‑Fi
Access to the Nordic Spa
Kayaks, Zodiacs, Special Operations Boats and all expedition gear
Keepsake expedition jacket on polar itineraries
24‑hour room service and speciality coffees
Onboard gratuities
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Related Videos
Antarctic Explorer | My PR‑invited expedition cruise to Antarctica
Canadian Discovery | My press‑trip expedition cruise to Canada
Nordic Balcony Junior Suite | Viking Polaris | Stateroom Review
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Further Reading
A selection of my published features on Viking’s expedition programme:
Polar Paradise | World of Cruising Magazine | A personal look at Antarctica’s wildlife, landscapes and life onboard Viking Octantis. Read the article →
Antarctic Adventure | The Viking Traveller | My published story from the Antarctic Explorer itinerary, covering the journey, wildlife and onboard experience. Read the article →
Expedition Adventure | Explore More | An interview with Viking’s Director of Expedition Operations on new Arctic voyages and the evolution of the expedition programme. Read the interview →