Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Neptune
- Cruises
- 93
- From
- $2,599
Ship comparison
Viking Neptune vs Viking Polaris
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Polaris
- Cruises
- 32
- From
- $7,499
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Viking Neptune 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 Neptune if you want more culture, a lower starting fare or a more romantic trip: it outscores Viking Polaris for cultural (9.0 vs 5.0) and romantic (9.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $2,599 (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 Neptune for adventure & nature (10.0 vs 7.0) and active (10.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 79.8 gross tons per passenger (vs 51.6).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Viking Neptune | Viking Polaris | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Ocean Cruises |
| Ship size | Medium | Small |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2022 | 2022 |
| Gross tonnage | 48,000 | 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 | 51.6 | 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 | 93 | 32 |
| Upcoming sailings | 169 | 115 |
| Cruise lengths | 7–64 nights | 7–80 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $2,599 (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 Neptune leads on 3 of the ten, Viking Polaris on 5, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Neptune
Viking Neptune entered service in November 2022, joining Viking’s fleet of adults-only, all-veranda ocean ships built to feel more like a floating boutique hotel than a theme-park-at-sea.
Sailing now
93 cruises on sale, from $2,599.
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
32 cruises on sale, from $7,499.
Questions
Viking Neptune or Viking Polaris?
Which is bigger, Viking Neptune or Viking Polaris?
Viking Neptune is bigger at 48,000 gross tons, against 30,150 gross tons for Viking Polaris. Viking Neptune carries 930 passengers and Viking Polaris carries 378.
Which ship is newer, Viking Neptune 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 51.6 on Viking Neptune. 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 Neptune.
Which is better for families?
Viking Polaris scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 2.0 out of 10, against 1.0 for Viking Neptune.
Still deciding?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about Viking Neptune, Viking Polaris or a ship that suits you better.