Viking Polaris

Viking Polaris is an expedition ship that joined her sister vessel, Viking Octantis, in fall 2022. She carries 378 guests and is staffed by 260 crew, making her a small ship built for serious travel to remote regions rather than mainstream cruising.

She holds Polar Class 6 ice classification, allowing her to carry a fleet of inflatable Zodiacs, rigid hulled inflatable boats, and sea kayaks for tendering and shore landings. Onboard, there's a genuine variety of dining and social spaces, including four restaurants: a main dining room, the World Cafe buffet, Manfredi's Italian, and Mamsen's, which serves traditional Scandinavian dishes, along with multiple observation lounges, wildlife viewing areas, and a science lounge called The Laboratory.

Design here centres firmly on what matters to expedition cruisers. The Observation Deck sits at the bow on the Lounge Deck as an open air viewing space, while the Explorers Lounge spans two decks with observatory style windows. The Aquavit Terrace offers an alfresco lounge with a retractable glass roof and multiple pools, and The Hangar houses an indoor marina where Zodiac boats launch from a sheltered slipway.

Most cabins, 184 of the 189 total, feature French balconies with retractable glass windows. For wellness, guests can head to the Nordic Spa, which includes a hot tub room, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, salon, and gym.

Viking Polaris was christened on September 30, 2022, in Amsterdam, in a joint ceremony with her sister ship, with explorer Liv Arnesen blessing the vessel as the champagne bottle was released. She suits adventurous cruisers drawn to polar and Great Lakes expeditions, built for intimate access to remote ports and wild coastlines that larger ships simply cannot reach.

Been on a voyage aboard Viking Polaris? Log this expedition cruise on your account at The Cruise Globe to relive the actual route of your specific cruise.