Viking Cruises Announces New Expedition Ships
Viking Polaris rendering. Photo courtesy of Viking Cruises
Viking announced the expansion of its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of new expedition voyages which will begin sailing in January 2022 with its first vessel, Viking Octanis , embarking on voyages to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes. Viking Polaris will make her 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 and will mark a major commitment to local tourism and economic development for the states of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario.
Photo courtesy of Viking Cruises
Renowned adventurers and educators Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft were also announced as godmothers to Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, respectively.
To develop the new expedition voyages, Viking has partnered with some of the world’s most prestigious scientific institutions.
The lead partner is the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute; this partnership will be underpinned by a Viking endowment for scientific research into the polar regions, The Viking Chair of Polar Marine Geoscience, a Cambridge University full professorship based at the Scott Polar Research Institute, as well as a sponsorship fund supporting the Institute’s graduate students.
Rendering of the Deck 2 Aft area, Finse Terrace, on-board the Viking Expedition ship. Photo courtesy of Viking Cruises
As part of this endowment, the Institute’s scientists will also undertake fieldwork aboard Viking Cruises’ expedition vessels and join voyages to share their expertise with guests.
Viking Cruises has also partnered with The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a globally recognized bird research facility.
Customers can book from January 15, 2020, with fares starting from $7,500pp. For more information, call or email or travel professional Adam Martindale.
Rendering of the Penthouse Junior Suite – Polar Option. Photo courtesy Viking Cruises
