Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Polaris
- Cruises
- 31
- From
- $7,999
Ship comparison
Viking Polaris vs Wind Surf
Windstar Cruises
Wind Surf
- Cruises
- 68
- From
- $2,108
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Viking Polaris is a small Viking Ocean Cruises ship carrying 378 passengers, in service since 2022. Wind Surf is a small Windstar Cruises ship carrying 342 passengers, in service since 1998.
Choose Viking Polaris if you want more space per passenger, a better-rated spa and gym or more adventure and nature: it outscores Wind Surf for spa & fitness (10.0 vs 7.0) and adventure & nature (10.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 79.8 gross tons per passenger (vs 43.1).
Choose Wind Surf 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 $2,108 (vs $7,999).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Viking Polaris | Wind Surf | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Viking Ocean Cruises | Windstar Cruises |
| Ship size | Small | Small |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2022 (better) | 1998 |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | — | 2019 |
| Gross tonnage | 30,150 | 14,745 |
| Passengers | 378 | 342 |
| Crew | 260 | 210 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 1.5 (better) | 1.6 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 79.8 (better) | 43.1 |
| Cabins | 189 | — |
| Decks | 7 | 7 |
| Length | 665 ft | 535 ft |
| Beam | 79 ft | 66 ft |
| Speed | — | 17 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 10 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 31 | 68 |
| Upcoming sailings | 112 | 143 |
| Cruise lengths | 7 to 80 nights | 6 to 23 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $7,999 | $2,108 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Viking Polaris leads on 6 of the ten, Wind Surf on 3, with 1 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
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
31 cruises on sale, from $7,999.
Windstar Cruises
Wind Surf
Sailing now
68 cruises on sale, from $2,108.
Questions
Viking Polaris or Wind Surf?
Which is bigger, Viking Polaris or Wind Surf?
Viking Polaris is bigger at 30,150 gross tons, against 14,745 gross tons for Wind Surf. Viking Polaris carries 378 passengers and Wind Surf carries 342.
Which ship is newer, Viking Polaris or Wind Surf?
Viking Polaris is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2022 against 1998 for Wind Surf.
Which has more space per passenger?
Viking Polaris, with 79.8 gross tons per passenger against 43.1 on Wind Surf. 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 1.6 on Wind Surf.
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 Wind Surf.
Still deciding?
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