Viking has just announced that it is expanding its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of brand new expedition voyages from 2022, open for booking from today.
Viking Expeditions will begin sailing in January 2022 with its first vessel, Viking Octantis, embarking on voyages to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes.
A second expedition vessel, Viking Polaris, will debut in August 2022, sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic.
Viking’s arrival to the Great Lakes will bring the newest and most modern vessels ever to explore this region of North America, visiting the states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario.
Chairman of Viking Torstein Hagen described Viking’s guests as curious explorers.
“They want to continue travelling with us to familiar and iconic destinations, but they would also like to travel further”.
“We began as Viking River Cruises; then we evolved into Viking Cruises with the addition of ocean cruises; today we stand singularly as Viking, offering destination-focused voyages on more than 20 rivers and five oceans, visiting 403 ports in 95 countries and on all seven continents.”
Chairman of Viking Torstein Hagen
About Viking Expedition Ships
The new Polar Class 6 Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris will each host 378 guests in 189 staterooms.
Both ships are under construction and will be delivered in Norway by Fincantieri’s VARD.
Designed by the same experienced nautical architects and engineers that designed Viking ocean ships, the ships are optimally sized and built for expeditions – small enough to navigate remote polar regions and the St. Lawrence River, while large enough to provide superior handling and stability in the roughest seas.
Straight bows, longer hulls and state-of-the-art fin stabilizers will allow the ships to glide over the waves for the calmest possible journey.
The ships will feature public spaces that are familiar to Viking’s ocean cruise guests but that have been reimagined, as well as new public spaces created specifically for expeditions.
Modern Scandinavian design will feature throughout, with elegant touches, intimate spaces and attention to detail, including panoramic views from any location on the ship.
All staterooms will have a unique Nordic Balcony, a sunroom that converts into an al fresco viewing platform – inspired by Norway’s bird-observing hide.
There will be four dining venues as well as a Nordic Spa and Fitness Centre offering a sauna, snow grotto, hydrotherapy pool and hot tub.
Exciting on board experiences will include two six-guest submarines, Zodiacs and kayaks.
Inaugural voyages include a 13-day Antarctic Explorer from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and 8-day Niagara and the Great Lakes itinerary from Toronto to Milwaukee.
Bookings before 31 March 2020 to save up to $2,000 per couple. See more here.