Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Mars
- Cruises
- 68
- From
- $3,299
Ship comparison
Viking Mars vs Viking Polaris
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Polaris
- Cruises
- 34
- From
- $7,499
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Viking Mars is a mid-size Viking Ocean Cruises ship carrying 930 passengers, in service since 2022. Viking Polaris is a small Viking Ocean Cruises ship carrying 378 passengers, in service since 2022.
Choose Viking Mars if you want more culture, a lower starting fare or a more romantic trip: it outscores Viking Polaris for cultural (8.0 vs 5.0) and romantic (10.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $3,299 (vs $7,499).
Choose Viking Polaris if you want more adventure and nature, more space per passenger or a more active cruise: it outscores Viking Mars for adventure & nature (10.0 vs 6.0) and active (10.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 79.8 gross tons per passenger (vs 51.4).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Viking Mars | Viking Polaris | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Ocean Cruises |
| Ship size | Medium | Small |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2022 | 2022 |
| Gross tonnage | 47,800 | 30,150 |
| Passengers | 930 | 378 |
| Crew | 465 | 260 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.0 | 1.5 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 51.4 | 79.8 (better) |
| Cabins | — | 189 |
| Decks | 10 | 7 |
| Length | 745 ft | 665 ft |
| Beam | 94 ft | 79 ft |
| Speed | 23 mph | — |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 10 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 68 | 34 |
| Upcoming sailings | 123 | 118 |
| Cruise lengths | 7–28 nights | 7–86 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $3,299 (better) | $7,499 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Viking Mars leads on 3 of the ten, Viking Polaris on 3, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Mars
The eighth ocean ship from Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking Mars debuted in May 2022 and offers a rich set of itineraries throughout Europe, Australia and Asia.
Sailing now
68 cruises on sale, from $3,299.
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Polaris
Viking Polaris debuted in August 2022 with sailings from Norway to the Arctic. Polaris is the second expedition cruise ship introduced by Viking Cruises under its new Viking Expeditions brand, following Viking Octantis.
Sailing now
34 cruises on sale, from $7,499.
Questions
Viking Mars or Viking Polaris?
Which is bigger, Viking Mars or Viking Polaris?
Viking Mars is bigger at 47,800 gross tons, against 30,150 gross tons for Viking Polaris. Viking Mars carries 930 passengers and Viking Polaris carries 378.
Which ship is newer, Viking Mars or Viking Polaris?
Both made their maiden voyage in 2022.
Which has more space per passenger?
Viking Polaris, with 79.8 gross tons per passenger against 51.4 on Viking Mars. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Viking Polaris, with one crew member for every 1.5 passengers against one for every 2.0 on Viking Mars.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 2.0 out of 10.
Still deciding?
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