Known for having “the thinking person’s cruise^®”, Viking launched their Expedition division earlier this year and continues to expand its offerings. With Viking Polaris—the second purpose-built ship designed for discovery—slated to make its debut by the end of 2022, Viking brings you as close as possible to the world’s most stunning scenery on and off the vessels. Exclusive partnerships and extensive onboard enrichment teams not only celebrate the destinations they are in, but explore them through the lens of these impressive experts.

The new Viking Polaris mirrors its sister ship Viking Octantis, which began her inaugural season earlier this year. The new Polar Class 378-guest ships offer an intimate experience with 189 staterooms. Purpose-built for expeditions, they are the ideal size for exploring remote destinations in comfort and with safety in mind. An abundance of indoor and outdoor viewing areas were designed to enable up-close sightings of vast wilderness and nature’s incomparable locales—from polar ice fields to aquatic ecosystems and boreal forests. The Aula panoramic auditorium is inspired by the University of Oslo’s famed hall (where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was formerly held) and is where you can listen to lectures and daily briefings and watch documentaries and films. It boasts a 4k laser-projected screen that retracts to reveal floor-to-ceiling windows and 270-degree views. The outdoor Finse Terrace sits just above sea level with recessed, heated couches and lava rock firepits. Plus, three different temperature pools feature an inside-outside pass-through where you can relax and admire the scenery around you.

Choose from locations far or close to home with Viking expedition journeys. Itineraries include bucket list ones like Antarctica sailing from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and Amsterdam to Ushuaia plus the Atlantic Islands. Three extended Longitudinal World Cruises offer a choice of itineraries from Buenos Aires to Milwaukee, Duluth to Ushuaia, or Milwaukee to Ushuaia in 2023. Explore the Great Lakes on a variety of itineraries between Toronto to Duluth, Toronto to Milwaukee, Thunder Bay to Milwaukee (and reverse), and Canadian Discovery from New York City to Toronto and Canada & the Atlantic Coastline from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale. New 2023 Grand Journeys encompass such exciting destinations as the Chilean Fjords, Patagonia, Panama, South America, and the Caribbean.

A choice of included experiences allow you to decide what you want to explore based on your own interests and activity level. Expedition equipment you’ll be able to use during these experiences include military pro zodiacs designed for professional use; two-seater polar-tested kayaks; 12-seater convertible Special Operations Boats; and submarines that seat six with revolving seats and 270-degree spherical windows. The Viking Expedition Team is made up of 36 experts who help shape the onboard in-depth daily briefings and lectures and on shore landings. The team includes a photographer, field research scientists, general naturalists, mountain guides, kayak guides, submarine pilots and specialists. You’ll have opportunities that can include helping in fieldwork or interacting through experiential activities such as monitoring birds to help identify migratory patterns or accompanying scientists to collect samples. Participate in research alongside scientists with supervised access onboard in The Science Lab.