Viking takes delivery of second expedition ship, Viking Polaris

Viking has taken delivery of the Viking Polaris, the company’s second purpose-built expedition ship.

The delivery ceremony took place this morning at Fincantieri’s VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway, where Viking’s first expedition ship, the Viking Octantis, was delivered in December 2021.

The Viking Polaris immediately set sail toward Amsterdam, where she will be named on 30 September by her ceremonial godmother, Ann Bancroft, one of the world’s preeminent polar explorers.

Currently sailing in the Great Lakes, the Viking Octantis will also be named on 30 September by her ceremonial godmother, Liv Arnesen, the world-renowned Norwegian explorer, lecturer, author and educator.

From Amsterdam, the Viking Polaris will make her way to South America, and both ships will spend the Austral summer in Antarctica, before travelling north to the Great Lakes for a series of voyages during spring and summer.

“Today is a proud day for the Viking family as we welcome the Viking Polaris to our fleet. These are phenomenal ships, and we are very pleased with the positive reception from guests during the first season of our new expeditions,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking.

“The great explorer, Ann Bancroft, has honoured us by serving as godmother to the Viking Polaris, and we look forward to welcoming her first guests on board later this week.”

The new Polar Class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris host 378 guests in 189 staterooms. The vessels are purpose-built for expeditions, at an ideal size for safety and comfort in remote destinations.

The godmothers of Octantis and Polaris Liv Arnesen (left) and Ann Bancroft (right) with Captain Olivier Marien

The new ships include a range of shiny new features and spaces, with highlights including:

The Aula– A panoramic auditorium inspired by the University of Oslo’s famed ceremonial hall, the former venue for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Used for lectures, daily briefings, documentaries and films, this venue features a 4k laser-projected screen that retracts to expose floor-to-ceiling windows and 270° views.

Finse Terrace– An outdoor lounge area just above sea level with recessed seating and lava rock “firepits,” the Finse Terrace was designed to allow guests the comforts of the ship al fresco while enjoying the dramatic scenery.

The Science Lab– Developed in partnership with the University of Cambridge and Akvaplan-Niva, The Science Lab, at 380 sq. ft., is designed to support a broad range of research activities and is equipped with wet and dry laboratory facilities. Guests have supervised access to The Science Lab to learn from and participate in undertaking meaningful research with scientists.

Dining– The Restaurant offers fine dining featuring regional cuisine and always-available classics; the World Café offers an open kitchen, bakery, grill and seafood and sushi choices, as well as a wide range of international flavours; Mamsen’s, named for the Hagen family matriarch, serves Scandinavian-inspired fare; and Manfredi’s offers the best of Italian cuisine.

The Nordic Spa– Following a day of exploration, The Nordic Spa offers guests opportunities to experience the ultimate healthy Nordic traditions, with an indoor heated pool set against expansive windows and a badestamp (wood-sided hot tub) that is open to the outside.

Nordic Balcony– A first for polar expedition vessels, all staterooms on board Viking’s expedition ships feature a Nordic Balcony, a sunroom that converts into an al fresco viewing platform with an observation shelf at elbow level to stabilize binoculars or a camera.

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amsterdam Ann Bancroft expedition ship Fincantieri Liv Arnesen norway Torstein Hagen VARD viking Viking Polaris