Viking Polaris: Stylish expedition ship explores the arctic

Features of the ‘ice-class’ ship 

Viking Polaris sports a Polar Class 6 hull to ensure a safe voyage through polar regions and U-tank stabilizers that decrease rolling by up to 50% when the ship encouters icy waves. Its straight bows and long hulls will reduce fuel consumption while the dynamic positioning system on board will enable the ship to hover over the seabed without anchoring.

One innovative feature that debuted on sister ship Viking Octantis is the Hangar, an industry-first enclosed marina that enables the launch of small excursion craft through the ship's multiple shell doors. Its 85-foot slipway lets guests embark expedition boats from a flat, stable surface inside the ship, shielded from wind and waves. 

Expeditions

During voyages, guests have the opportunity to ride in one of the ship's six-person submarines (with revolving seats and spherical windows), which take off from The Hangar, an enclosed marina at the ship's aft. Expedition equipment — provided complimentary and to all passengers regardless of cabin category — includes Zodiacs (rigid inflatable high-speed boats), two-seater sea kayaks, two RIB boats (12 seats each) and Expedition Kit (cold-weather boots, jacket, waterproof pants, snowshoes, trekking poles, skis, binoculars). Each tour boat is fitted with safety equipment: satellite phone, VHF radio, ropes, life jackets and survival kits.

Inclusions in the base fare

Fares on Octantis follow the Viking tradition of including the following in the base fare:

  • shore excursions — including rides in one of the ship's six-person submarines
  • beer and wine at lunch and dinner
  • Wi-Fi
  • self-service laundry
  • 24-hour room service

Some Viking Expeditions guests will also receive charter flights for hard-to-reach places included in the fare.

Dining

Dining venues on Viking Octantis include:

  • The Restaurant, offering regional cuisine specialties and classic dishes with a rotating menu. All dishes feature locally sourced ingredients. 
  • The World Cafe, a market-style buffet restaurant with an open kitchen offering international food choices, bakery, grill stations and seafood bar with premium sushi
  • Manfredi's Italian Restaurant with upscale Italian cuisine
  • Mamsen's Restaurant, a great breakfast choice offering a mix of pastries and homey Scandinavian dishes
  • Room service that's complimentary and available 24 hours

Cocktails, beer and wine are available at The Bar, the Explorers’ Lounge and the Aquavit Terrace. Optional drink packages are available or included with specific room packages.

Staterooms

The ship offers six stateroom categories: Nordic Balcony, Deluxe Nordic Balcony, Nordic Penthouse, Nordic Junior Suite, Explorer Suite and Owner’s Suite.  All 189 cabins aboard Viking Polaris offer ocean views and what Viking terms a “Nordic balcony,” similar in some ways to a French balcony. It's a large window that can partially drop down and turn part of the room into an open-air space with the push of a button. Nordic Balcony and Deluxe Nordic Balcony cabins have a comfortable 222 square feet of living space and make up the majority of the staterooms on the ship. Other cabins range from 269 to 1,223 square feet.

Rooms come with a king-size bed and a bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floors and anti-fog mirrors. There will also be a floor-to-ceiling "drying closet" where circulating warm air dries clothes and expedition gear. 

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

For pricing, itinerary information and to reserve your spot on Viking Polaris, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant by email or call 1-877-322-3773.

SEE ALL VIKING POLARIS SAILINGS

Cruiseable team
The Cruiseable editorial team consists of award-winning travel writers, cruise bloggers and journalists.

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