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What It’s Like to Sail to Antarctica on Viking’s Luxe New Expedition Ship

By Megan Spurrell

Just last week I sat in a Norwegian hot tub known as a badestamp, the steam rising to meet the crisp air of Antarctica that flushed my cheeks. As our ship sailed at a leisurely pace past brilliant blue icebergs, I kept an eye out for the occasional crabeater seal—usually perched on ice floes, they’d lazily lift their heads to glance over at us. I lived like that—in this delicate sweet spot where great adventure and comfort meet—for a full eleven days on board the brand-new Viking Octantis .

This is only a sliver of the experience on the ship, which just completed the first four sailings of its shakedown season in Antarctica . Announced in early 2020, the 378-passenger ship—which will also sail around the Great Lakes and South America in the year ahead—is the first in the brand’s new line of expedition ships (the second, Viking Polaris , will begin sailing late this summer).

Many on board had spent the last two years looking forward to the ship's launch, which took place at the start of 2022. The consensus: the experience was well worth the wait.

The ship delivers on Viking trademarks that guests love, with all-new offerings geared toward adventure travel: There are zodiacs and sightseeing boats that can be launched off the back of the ship, a science lab where guests can learn from the marine biologists onboard, and an expedition center where wildlife sightings are charted daily beside interactive maps of the region, to name just a few. And when you need a minute between all that activity? You’ll find that beloved Nordic design Viking is known for, with quiet nooks for reading, comfy chairs with stellar views, and more.

Here's what else you'll find aboard the Viking Octantis . 

A ship designed for learning

Chairman Torstein Hagen often says that Viking is “the thinking person’s cruise.” Make of that what you will, but it’s something I thought of many times on the Octantis .

For starters, take the size of the Living Room, a space filled with leather reading chairs, puzzles , and a wealth of thoughtfully selected books curated by London’s Heywood Hill (purported to be the favorite bookstore of Queen Elizabeth II) and Cambridge University’s Scott Polar Research Institute. While it’s not the only area for unwinding, it dwarfs the Explorer’s Lounge, which serves top-shelf cocktails and the sounds of live piano every afternoon, and the chaise-filled Aquavit Terrace pool bar on the back of the ship. (The latter two spaces are also found on other Viking ships.) Though there are always quiet nooks to escape to—the size really is notable—the Living Room hosts a rotation of activities, too, including daily workshops with the resident photographer.

On the back of the ship, a remarkable room called the Aula functions as a lecture hall—if, you know, your college lecture hall had plush pleather seats draped in wool blankets and a help-yourself espresso machine parked outside. Massive windows on three sides make it possible to steal glimpses of the very surroundings a cast of lecturers educate passengers on: Daily talks range from an 45-minute “Diversity of Penguins” seminar from on-board ornithologists, to a discussion on Antarctica’s formation from a geologist. Many evenings, documentaries are played here as well (a favorite featured original footage from Roald Amundsen's 1910 to 1912 South Pole expedition).

Guests have a chance to turn their curiosity into action in The Science Lab, where they can learn about active research projects being conducted onboard (thanks to partnerships with the University of Cambridge and Norwegian research institute Akvaplan-Niva). There’s a citizen science element as well—laymen can sign up for a laboratory experience that involves helping the team count microplastics found in water samples, or preparing bait for an underwater camera that documents local wildlife. (Though, frankly, I felt most helpful taking a tour then leaving them to get back to the real work.)

Outdoor spaces for taking in the destination

With so many great spaces indoors, you might be surprised to learn that the bow was my favorite spot on the entire ship. The wildlife watching, made easy thanks to pro binoculars in every stateroom, was addicting; add in the expedition staff—a mix of marine biologists, cetologists, historians, and adventure tour guides with many years of expertise in the region—and their regular presence on the deck made it hard to step away. What a privilege to be able to point out something moving in the water and have an expert just feet away immediately identify the animal to you, then answer every question you could have about their behavior, lifecycle, and tips for identifying them on your own. Even greater: I found the on-board geologist just as able to answer my questions about Gentoo penguin behavior as a member of the excursion team could pick out humpback whales on the horizon—everyone is an expert in everything, it can seem.

Inside, the scenery still takes the lead

For those less comfortable amid the elements, take comfort in knowing the indoors are designed for appreciating the outdoors. The Shelter is a covered space between the ship and the bow with heated railings to warm cold hands and plush seats. On the back of the ship, the Finse Terrace got a bit less wind, but was also great for bird and whale watching . (It appears a plush set of lounge chairs will fill that area in warmer climes.) And make sure to find secret-spot The Hide before disembarking: Right in the bow of the ship on Deck 1, the speakeasy style enclave has a fireplace and front-row seats to the lashing waves outside, with nightly storytelling hours featuring members of the expedition team. 

As for the staterooms? Nordic balconies, as Viking calls them, ensure everyone can hear the blow of minke whale spouts right from bed—just hit a button and the top half of floor-to-ceiling windows recedes, allowing guests to feel the fresh air from the comfort of their couch. 

Active excursions

While excursions offered on the Octantis will vary by destination, the ship’s hangar full of toys gives passengers a glimpse of what to expect wherever they sail with the ship. It currently houses 16 kayaks, 17 zodiacs, two special operations boats, and two yellow submarines (named John and Paul, as if there were any other option; the Polaris will have George and Ringo).

Alex Erdekian

Diana Oates

Jessica Puckett

Meaghan Kenny

All of these activities were included in the trip cost, which isn’t always the case on other ships where special experiences like submarine rides can run about $500 a pop. Viking is known for always including one excursion per destination; in Antarctica, landings are guaranteed once per day. Though landing destinations can vary greatly based on conditions, we got to visit an abandoned whaling station at Deception Island, the largest Gentoo penguin colony in the Antarctic Peninsula at Cuverville, and a number of research bases where we could snowshoe to viewpoints (surrounded, of course, by more adorable penguins). 

The Finse Terrace

One big letdown: The submarines weren’t operating for the first three Antarctic sailings due to technical difficulties, and only quietly began running on the last days of the fourth sailing that I was on. Guests were offered a chance to ride on an invitation-basis leaving a good number grumbling about not being asked. (I was among those enviously watching the dozen or so who made the cut.) The submarine did reach depths of over 200 meters—subs on other liners stay closer to 100–where one guest one board said they observed the seabed with a very rare sighting of a 30-foot-long phantom jellyfish. 

It's a reminder that Antarctica requires a high level of flexibility—you might get a day of rough seas on the Drake Passage (we, miraculously, had smooth sailing both ways), weather can lead to canceled landings, sometimes more than once on a single trip, and that submarine just might not work. Consider that when booking, and you'll be in for a better experience over all. 

COVID-19 requirements in place

Like Viking ocean ships, Octantis has an onboard lab that processes over 500 COVID-19 tests daily. At the moment, every day starts with guests leaving a test tube of saliva outside their door for PCR testing, and contact-tracing devices are to be carried or worn throughout the trip. Vaccinations are required, as are masks in indoor areas. Good thing: As I spoke to friends on other Antarctic cruises this season, many smaller than ours across a number of lines, every one reported a few COVID cases on their ship. Not ours; not one.

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Viking Antarctica Cruises: A Complete Guide for Adventurers

Looking to explore Antarctica in the comfort of a floating, amenity-filled hotel? Eager to learn about polar wildlife and important scientific research? If so, one of Viking’s Antarctica-bound cruises should be on your travel wish list. Two good friends, both world travelers and frequent cruisers, recently returned from Viking cruises to Antarctica. This article explores what a Viking cruise to Antarctica is like – the ship and excursions – plus tips to get the most out of the experience. 

My two friends, Ingrid and Irene, take several major trips yearly and treasure wonderful memories of their time exploring Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. After they returned from their Viking Antarctica expedition cruises, I had to know more, so I debriefed them on their adventures. I thank Ingrid and Irene for their insights about their experiences and suggestions for future travelers aboard a Viking expedition ship bound for Antarctica.

Top 5 Reasons to Take a Viking Antarctica Expedition Cruise

• Visit the world’s unique snow and ice-covered continent. Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, highest, and brightest continent.
• View wildlife that populates the frozen continental region , including penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, arctic terns — and even tiny krill (a favorite meal for penguins). 
• Learn about the ecosystem and hear from scholars and scientists about their research aboard the ship . Viking has partnered with several global scientific communities, including the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. On each Antarctica cruise, there are dozens of Viking Resident Scientists and Viking Expedition Team members. Soak in all you can from ornithologists, marine biologists, climatologists, geologists, and other specialists. Find out more about their current research and view their work in the onboard laboratory. Become a student at scientist-led lectures in the impressive Aula auditorium with massive floor-to-ceiling windows. 
• Enjoy the ship’s many included (at no extra cost) amenities and comforts , including a fitness center; spa; several dining venues; complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner; and self-serve launderettes. Note that Viking does charge for some extra services, including a Silver Spirits beverage package (for spirits plus specialty wines and beer), some spa services (including massages and facials), and laundry services (if you want to send your clothes out to be washed).
• Meet like-minded adventure travelers. Get to know other guests who share your love of learning more about the planet and experiencing what few others have. 

The Viking Antarctica Expedition Cruise Options

Viking operates two identical state-of-the-art Polar Class 6 Expedition ships, Octantis and Polaris, each carrying 378 guests.  

Three Antarctica-bound cruises vary in length and run from November through February, the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere:

• Antarctic Adventure : 15 days (Days 4-12 explore Antarctica)
• Antarctic Explorer : 13 days (Days 4-10 explore Antarctica)
• Antarctica & South Georgia Island : 19 days (Days 12-16 explore Antarctica)

The cruises originate in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and conclude in Ushuaia, Argentina.

• The Antarctic Adventure and Antarctic Explorer cruises traverse the Drake Passage (the body of water where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans converge between South America and Antarctica) before reaching Antarctica. Guests visit the Melchior Islands, Danco Islands, Damoy Point, Enterprise Island, Mikkelson Harbor, and Elephant Island. Then, the ship sails back over the Drake Passage, with views of Cape Horn.
• The Antarctica & South Georgia Island cruise sails the Atlantic Ocean and visits the Falkland Islands as well as South Georgia Island before continuing to Antarctica. It also sails over the Drake Passage and by Cape Horn before its conclusion.

Pre- and Post-Extensions

Antarctic Expedition cruise guests can add pre- and post-extension trips — like other Viking cruises. The pre-extension options for the Antaractica-bound cruises include visiting Buenos Aires, the Iguazú Falls, the Atacama Desert, or Easter Island. Post-extensions are available in Patagonia.

Viking Polar Expedition Ships

Viking has a long history of providing excellent guest experiences, excursion choices, and highly-rated service, food, and amenities on their river and ocean voyages. The Octanis and Polaris expedition ships are no exception.

Amenities & Common Spaces

Viking is known for its well-designed ships that sport Scandinavian designs with soft colors. The ships’ configurations and artful design elements create a comfortable, relaxing environment. Furthermore, the expedition ships have impressive artwork, including paintings, photography, and sculptures, many celebrating Norwegian culture. You can take a self-guided tour of the specially-curated pieces aboard using the Viking Voyager app (available onboard).

Inside, each ship has a fitness center; a hair salon; an extensive spa with a steam room, a snow grotto, a sauna; and several pools. In addition, there are various common spaces, including a well-curated library, the Living Room, the Hide, and the Explorers’ Lounge. A medical center is also on board.

At the stern of the ship is the cavernous hangar within the ship. This is where the excursion vessels are housed and maintained. Near the hangar is the almost 400-square-foot science laboratory where scientists conduct research. Guests are encouraged to observe happenings in this space.

Outside, the ship has plenty of lounging space, with comfortable seating and firepits, on the deck and the Shelter (a covered outdoor space with seating).

Viking publishes a dress code that suggests casual clothes during the day. Since there are no formal nights aboard Viking ships, guests are encouraged to dress in “elegant casual” attire in the evenings. Dress nicely (sweaters and slacks are fine) and comfortably. Bear in mind that casual dress is always appropriate in the World Café.

You have your choice of dining venues, all provided at no extra charge. The World Café is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and does not require a reservation.

• The Restaurant offers regional menu items that change daily as well as traditional favorites that are always on the menu. A reservation is required and can be made with the maître d’ once aboard.
• Aquavit Terrace is a casual dining space at the ship’s stern.
• Manfredi’s offers a variety of Italian dishes (and requires a reservation).
• Mamsen’s features Norwegian-inspired items, including soups and open-faced sandwiches.
• World Café is a casual spot with an open kitchen featuring seafood, sushi, and grilled foods like burgers and steaks.
• Room Service is available 24/7.

Onboard Education & Entertainment

In addition to being comfortable passenger cruise ships, Octantis and Polaris are research vessels. As such, scientists and researchers are cruising along with the passengers. This translates to unique opportunities to learn more from the specialists on board through their lectures and scientific work.

Onboard entertainment includes vocalists and instrumentalists who play in the afternoons and evenings in the Explorer Lounge. On some evenings, guest researchers or lecturers share their experiences – or stories – with guests in The Hide, a space near the ship’s aft that features cozy seating and a bar. 

Staterooms 

The Viking polar expedition ship’s staterooms all feature Nordic balconies with unique floor-to-ceiling windows. You can open the top of the window to take in the sights and smells of the outside from the comfort of your room. The Explorer Suite and the Owner’s Suite on the expedition ships also have private outdoor spaces.

Each stateroom comes equipped with good-quality binoculars, a warming closet to dry your clothes post-excursions, heated bathroom floors, plenty of storage space, a mini-bar, a safe, 110V and 220V electrical outlets, USB and USB-C outlets, and other comforts. Sunscreen, hand cream, and chapstick are some amenities in the stateroom. 

Six stateroom categories offer varied square footage and amenities. Advance bookings (number of days before the ship’s departure) for the spa, alternate restaurants, and excursions are dependent on the stateroom category you book.

• 215 square feet
• 11:00 am embarkation; 3:00 pm stateroom access
• Can book expeditions 47 days before departure
• Mini-bar with soft drinks, water, and snacks
• 11:00 am embarkation; 2:00 pm stateroom access
• Can book spa treatments 60 days before departure
• 269 square feet
• 11:00 am embarkation; 1:00 pm stateroom access
• Can book expeditions 57 days before departure
• Can book spa treatments 70 days before departure
• Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water, and snacks
• Welcome bottle of champagne
• Complimentary ironing and shoe shine service
• 322 square feet
• 11:00 am embarkation; 11:00 am stateroom access
• Can book spa treatments 80 days before departure
• Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, ironing, and shoe shine service
• 548 square feet
• Can book expeditions 67 days before departure
• Can book spa treatments 90 days before departure
• Complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package 
• Private outdoor space
• 1,238 square feet
• Priority embarkation; 11:00 am stateroom access
• Can book spa treatments 100 days before departure
• Daily personalized tea or pre-dinner cocktail and canapé s
• Dinner and guided tour with the ship’s officers 

Viking Antarctic Expedition Cruise Excursions

Viking guarantees at least one excursion daily, weather permitting. Excursions include scenic outings to view wildlife and scenery; trips to Antarctica, where guests explore the area; submarine trips down to the ocean’s depths; and kayaking. All passengers can enjoy the excursions at no extra charge.

A unique feature of the Viking Expedition ships is the large hangar at the stern (rear of the vessel). It houses the specialty crafts used to transport passengers daily to their scenic destinations.  

The four main vessels passengers can access are the following:

• Special Operation Boats (“Special Ops Boats”) are used to tour bays and view wildlife. Riding in Special Ops boats allows passengers to get a close look at wildlife and the surrounding sea and land — a much closer view than from aboard the ship.
• Zodiacs (rigid, inflatable boats) ferry guests from the ship to shore and back.
• Submarines take guests down in the water about 650 feet to view wildlife below the surface. Two yellow submarines are on each ship, and each sub seats six guests and one pilot. The subs are named after the Beatles, the hugely popular English rock band with the 1964 hit Yellow Submarine . The Viking Octantis ship has John and Paul , and the Viking Polaris ship has George and Ringo . Lest a submarine excursion sounds a bit scary, I should mention that there is a boat with Viking crewmembers on the water’s surface to monitor the sub the whole time it’s submerged.
• Kayaks for experienced kayakers.

Viking Polar Expedition Cruise Packing Tips

Viking provides all outer clothing, boots, and gear you’ll need for excursions. The Viking Expedition jacket you receive (and use while exploring off the ship) will be yours to take home at the end of the trip. What a souvenir!

It’s relatively easy to pack lightly for an expedition cruise. In fact, you may consider packing just a carry-on suitcase and a personal item for this journey. Doing so negates the need to check baggage on your flights, eliminating the chance of the airline misplacing your luggage. And since Viking provides all the outer gear you’ll need, and there’s a free laundrette (washers, dryers, laundry soap, and irons), it’s easy to get by with fewer clothes as you can easily do your wash while aboard. Some stateroom classes – Nordic Junior Suite, Explorer Suite, and Owner’s Suite – provide complimentary laundry services.

Suggested Packing List

Viking provides guests with a suggested packing list before the cruise. The packing list below includes recommendations from my two friends based on their recent Viking Antarctica cruises.

• 2 pairs of socks (designed for outdoor activities like hiking)
• 2 pairs of fleece-lined pants
• 1-2 tops to use as a base layer before getting dressed for excursions
• thermal long pants and top (preferably not cotton; consider Merino wool)
• 1 pair of mittens with a foldover section (so your fingers can be free to operate your camera or other devices)
• 1 fleece neck gaiter (that can be pulled up to your nose for extra warmth)
• 2 pairs of pants while aboard the ship
• 3-4 shirts/blouses for life aboard the ship
• 1 sweater 
• 1 fleece jacket
• 2-3 pairs of undergarments 
• 1 set of pajamas
• camera or smartphone for taking pictures
• swimsuit (to use in the onboard pools and hot tub)
• sneakers with good tread
• sunglasses and/or sun goggles (to keep the wind out of your eyes)
• lanyard for holding your smartphone if planning to take some pictures while in a zodiac or special-ops boat

Viking Polar Expedition Cruise Tips

• Because crossing the Drake Passage can be unsettling for some people prone to seasickness, get some motion sickness prevention patches prescribed by your doctor. They may work better than Dramamine or similar medications.
• In preparation for excursions, give yourself plenty of time to get dressed. There are several layers of clothing and heavy boots to don, which takes time. A life vest over all the layers completes your outfit for activity off the ship.
• Always remember to go to the bathroom before beginning to get dressed. You certainly don’t want to have to peel off all the layers you just put on!
• Stay well hydrated throughout the day. 
• Apply hand cream and chapstick regularly to keep your skin moisturized. 
• If you want a quiet dinner, plan to eat later, like 7:30 or 8:00 pm. Most guests have finished (or are finishing up) their meals at this point.

Related Articles

Viking related articles.

• Viking Ocean Cruises: The Ultimate Guide
• Viking Ocean Cruise Excursions: What You Need to Know
• Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps to Take After Booking a Cruise
• Viking River Cruises: The Complete Guide
• Best Sights to See on a Viking Grand European Tour Cruise
• Viking Antarctica Cruise: A Complete Guide for Adventurers

General Travel Planning Articles

• Best Apps and Websites for Savvy Travelers
• Travel Lightly: Top Ten Tips for Your Next Trip

Travel Planning Timeline

• Expert Tips for Traveling to Europe for More Fun, Less Stress
• How to Use Google Translate While Traveling

Final Thoughts

Thanks again to Ingrid and Irene for sharing their experiences and suggestions for other travelers. The highlights for them (and other guests) who enjoyed their Viking Antarctica expedition cruises were:

• The ship itself and its many inviting spaces.
• The shipboard experience, including the lectures and the live music performances.
• The majesty of nature viewed from the ship and when in Antarctica.

Ingrid considers her Viking polar cruise a “trip of a lifetime.” That sums up the feelings of other happy adventurers who have explored a unique spot on the earth aboard the Viking Octantis or Polaris. It may just be time to add this journey to my travel plans. 

Have you been on a Viking Antarctica expedition cruise? If so, please share your experiences and/or suggestions for future travelers. Thanks! 🙂

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4 thoughts on “viking antarctica cruises: a complete guide for adventurers”.

Thank you for this excellent post. I’m booked on this exact cruise in 2024 and I have been nervous about what the trip would be like. My mind is not at ease.

I’m so glad that you found the article helpful. I hope you have a wonderful adventure!

This is on my bucket list!!! Thank you for doing a post! I’m tagging this for the future!!

You must have an exciting bucket list, Kay, as Antarctica is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Enjoy your journey to one of the most unique places on the planet!

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I found Goldilocks in Antarctica with this big little ship that’s just right

Editor's Note

Sweating it out in the dry heat of my cruise ship's Scandinavian-style sauna, I happily watched multiple groups of whales play hide-and-seek among the icebergs of Meusnier Point, Antarctica.

I'd already spent plenty of time whale watching in more typical polar fashion: shivering on Viking Polaris' bow with my bundled-up, binoculared shipmates and zipping about in rigid inflatable Zodiac boats in our matching bright red waterproof jackets.

Still, I couldn't resist continuing my "Where's Whale-do?" games from inside the ship's gorgeous (and complimentary) Nordic spa.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

My travel companion, Emily, is not a fan of extreme temperatures, so she chose to float in the spa's heated pool, complete with bubbles at one end. She also had a jaw-dropping view from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows lining one edge of the pool.

I, on the other hand, had come to the spa not for whales, but to try the Nordic bathing ritual of alternating between heated rooms like the sauna or steam room and cooling experiences like a cold water bucket dump and a snow room. It wasn't so different from the rest of my day, moving from the comfort of my cozy cabin to the extreme outdoors of the Antarctic Peninsula and now to this steamy spa.

My favorite therapies were the sauna and the badestamp (a hot tub with an open window for simultaneous hot and cold sensations). I liked them as much for their physical benefits as for their picture windows showcasing the icy scene outside.

Perhaps the experience should have been jarring — dripping sweat in a swimsuit while gazing at one of the harshest climates on the planet — but cozy comfort in the midst of a rugged adventure is the calling card of Viking Polaris.

The 378-passenger expedition-style cruise ship — from every "Downton Abbey"-loving baby boomer's favorite ocean/river/expedition cruise line Viking — is like the Goldilocks of the South Pole. It's not so big that it can't let guests disembark onto Antarctica's snow-covered shores, nor is it so small that it can't offer creature comforts like spacious cabins, multiple dining venues and that expansive spa.

Its interior spaces are well designed, friendly and inviting, while its rugged exterior and ice-strengthened hull enable it to cruise the icy seas at the ends of the earth.

In essence, it's "just right."

Inviting spaces

On an Antarctica cruise, you spend a perhaps surprising amount of time on your cruise ship. It takes nearly two days each way to wend your way through the Beagle Channel and sail through the rocking and rolling Drake Passage between Ushuaia, Argentina, and the Antarctic peninsula with no stops. Once alongside the White Continent, the captain prefers to sail the ship during daylight hours, so mornings are often spent making your way to the landing site and waiting for the expedition crew to set up.

You need a vessel you enjoy spending time on. Viking Polaris is that ship.

The ship has three main lounge areas — the midship The Living Room; the forward-facing, two-deck Explorers' Lounge; and the low-level, speak-easy-style The Hide — and all are designed to feel like inviting hangouts in your stylish home.

In The Living Room, friends of ours would often hang out in "business class" — oversized leather chairs with footstools — scrolling through photos while sipping a glass of Champagne or an Irish coffee from the nearby bar. A dedicated group would gather on the couches and easy chairs for daily trivia at noon; other passengers saved their competitive spirit for mahjong and Scrabble at the game tables by the windowed exterior walls.

It was easy to strike up conversations with other guests in the Explorers' Lounge, even when we were all facing forward along the curved windows to take in the view. Fani at the bar would bring us nearly any drink we could dream up — a lemon drop or ironically tropical mai tai for me, a Pimm's Cup for Emily — and always stopped to chat.

The few times I stopped by The Hide during the day, I would collapse into an oversized chair, put my feet up below the slanted windows and immediately start to doze off, lulled by the rocking of the ship. In the evenings, we'd grab a double shot of Baileys at the speak-easy-style bar (all the booze, minimal mixers) and listen to the expedition crew members tell tales of their adventurous exploits, like a bedtime story for grown-ups.

Related: Best Antarctica cruise ships

Big-ship choices

"We're always so busy," I complained to Emily around the halfway mark of our two-week trip. "There's too much to do on this ship!"

I was frustrated because I'd gone to hear a talk by one of the expedition crew members and missed an orca whale sighting. I was constantly torn between attending all the events in the Viking Daily newsletter I'd starred, spending time outside with my binoculars hoping for serendipitous animal sightings, or participating in multiple off-ship activities (landings, Zodiac cruises, kayak tours).

It was a good problem to have.

Viking Polaris is not a big ship but it has so much to offer, with choices at every turn.

For its not quite 400 guests, the ship has four restaurants, plus room service. For example, each morning, I'd make my way upstairs to the World Cafe buffet for breakfast, where I'd debate whether I should pillage the fruit and yogurt bar or ask one of the chefs for a made-to-order omelet.

If I wanted a cheat day, I could turn right instead of left and duck into Mamsen's, where a Scandinavian-style waffle topped with chocolate sauce or Norwegian brown cheese was always an alluring option. Or, on a truly lazy morning, I could order a full hot breakfast to my room, no extra charge.

For dinner, I could also make reservations at The Restaurant for a big-ship-style three-course meal with waiter service. For a date night or a group celebration, or just Thursday, Manfredi's wowed with its housemade pasta and Italian specialties. Shackleton could have survived for days on a plate of the restaurant's droolworthy gorgonzola gnocchi.

I had even more choices of how to spend my time on board. I could attend a workshop in Expedition Central about knot tying or identifying bird feathers, pop into The Aula (the ship's auditorium inspired by the Great Hall in Oslo where the Nobel Prizes used to be presented) for a documentary screening or a presentation on whale sex or Neanderthal DNA, or join a gin tasting or mate workshop.

I wanted to do it all — but I also wanted to linger on the aft Finse Terrace with its sunken fire pit seating and gaze out to sea, or walk laps along the outer promenade in the hopes of spotting whales or seabirds. Or, perhaps I just wanted to be lazy and spend more time in the Nordic Spa's gorgeous pool or reading a breezy novel, curled up on a sofa in The Living Room.

Related: Antarctica reading list: These 8 books are must-reads before a trip to the White Continent

Cozy cabins, built for expeditions

"Pass me more chocolate from the magic drawer," I said to Emily one afternoon after we'd shrugged out of our multiple thermal layers and collapsed on our beds in our fleece pullovers and leggings. She handed over a small bar of Norwegian milk chocolate, as well as a bottle of soda water from our minifridge, which our room stewards topped up every day to keep us in a never-ending supply of treats.

I used to think of expedition ship cabins as bare-bones affairs, with fixed twin beds, tiny bathrooms with the shower practically on top of the toilet and no design aesthetic whatsoever. On older ships, that portrait might be accurate, but on Viking Polaris, my room was cleverly designed and full of creature comforts.

Every room on the ship is classified as a balcony cabin or suite, but a true balcony is useless in Antarctica, where you're not going to sit and watch the waves at frigid temperatures for long. Instead, the outer wall of my room was made from two panes of glass. At the touch of a button, I could roll down the top pane like a car window, allowing some fresh air in and enabling me to take photos without glass in the way.

It was a perfect compromise between an exterior veranda and a picture window that does not open. Plus, the huge window filled my cabin with light (blackout shades can also be deployed with a button for light sleepers).

I loved the L-shaped leather seating nook by the window, where I could curl up with a book or a room service meal. (The fried chicken on the in-cabin dining menu is divine!) I used the desk to charge my laptop, but a handy hidden drawer beneath the desktop is the perfect spot to hide your jewelry, should you use the mirror for dolling up for dinner.

On the far side of the cozy beds (twins that can be pushed together into a queen), extra space is devoted to getting dressed because it's a tad more complicated on an expedition cruise. An L-shaped wardrobe has plenty of hanging space and drawers for all the hats, gloves, warm jackets and base layers I brought to handle the polar chill, not to mention the pharmacy of seasickness medication and remedies Emily and I brought to survive the Drake Passage. The extra floor space is needed for pulling on boots and wiggling into life jackets.

Related: Antarctica gear guide: What you need to pack for a trip to the White Continent

But the real genius of this dressing area is the heated drying closet found in every cabin. It's got a rack with hangers for your waterproof jacket and pants and hooks for your life jackets and ship-provided boots. We used it not only for our expedition gear, but to hang up laundry we didn't want to subject to the ship's dryers.

Also heated: the bathroom floors. They felt amazing on my cold bare feet in the mornings but also helped us dry gloves and swimsuits when the drying closet was overfull.

No tiny nautical "heads" for Viking! In addition to the heated floor, my cabin's spacious bathroom had a large shower with a long shelf for toiletries, his and hers drawers, shelving and a selection of complimentary bath products, including sunscreen, hand lotion and separate body lotion and lip balm with SPF protection. In short, everything I needed to combat the harsh sun and dry air of Antarctica.

Accessible adventures

The ease and comfort of Viking Polaris' onboard persona also extend to its offshore adventures. You might have to endure some wind and rain and freezing temperatures, but Viking is going to do everything possible to make sure its guests are able to access all Antarctica has to offer.

It all starts with The Hangar, which is part water-level boat storage, part comfortable passenger loading zone. The expedition crew members can launch 16 Zodiacs, two special operations boats (affectionately called SOBs), two yellow submersibles named George and Ringo with their patrol boat, and eight double kayaks (plus two single guide kayaks) in under an hour, partly because they don't have to lower boats from the top deck of the ship, as is the case with many expedition vessels.

For their part, guests don't need to navigate gangways or crowd a floating marina when they're ready for their playtime. The Hangar has multiple waiting areas — a main space for the Zodiac queue with bench seating, a gear-up zone for kayakers and a seating area (with snacks and hot beverages) for guests going on a kayak or submersible ride.

These are all separate from the boarding zone, where groups are invited to go only when they're about to board their ride. And it's all accessible from the ship's main elevators.

The first time I arrived at The Hangar, it was crowded with people clomping around in the ship-loaned heavy boots and bulky outer layers. But Polaris' expert crew kept everything orderly and moving. They even helped me put on my Zodiac life jacket, which I swear to you is not as simple as putting on a backpack, and directed me to the correct waiting area.

The crew also demonstrated how to stomp through a boot-washing machine (imagine a car wash, with soap and spinning bristles, for your shoes), the latest in biosafety technology, before escorting me to a Zodiac. Here, two crew members helped me into the boat like I was royalty alighting from my carriage — one handing me down from the ship into the waiting grasp of another crew member standing in the Zodiac.

Once in the Zodiac, we'd race to shore for a landing, cruise the sea looking for whales or transfer into kayaks (my favorite) for a quiet paddle. The transfer from the Zodiac to the kayak and back again is not exactly a graceful endeavor, but anyone who wants to paddle must prove their agility in an on-ship trial before being allowed to take their skills to the water.

It's worth it, and easier than it looks. On my first kayak outing in Damoy Point, I watched our first penguins of the trip cavorting on the rocky shores and occasionally diving smoothly into the sea. We did more floating than paddling, but I still enjoyed playing penguin paparazzi from the sea.

On the second outing, my group paddled all the way around a small island in Mikkelsen Harbor, where we admired a seal preening on the rocks and penguins soaring in and out of the waves (a swimming style called porpoising). Being part of a small group on the water amid the dramatic backdrop of Antarctica's mountains and never-ending sky was a quiet thrill — but no less incredible.

Related: I just went kayaking in Antarctica — and it was the most calm I've felt all year

If you're willing to pay several hundred dollars, you can also book an adventure in one of the ship's two six-seater submersibles. Always up for an adventure, I fought my fear of being completely surrounded by water as the driver took us 425 feet below the water's surface to gaze upon exotic starfish and coral. I didn't see the giant phantom jellyfish spotted earlier in the cruise — and about which Viking's expedition team published a paper in the scientific journal "Polar Research" — but I enjoyed the novel approach to sightseeing in Antarctica ... after I stopped hyperventilating, that is.

Viking is also unique in that its ship carries two special operations boats. These speed boats were designed with accessibility in mind — they can be boarded more easily than Zodiacs and have comfortable, individual bucket seats with armrests and hand grips.

I'm sure the intention is to take guests, especially folks not up for daily Zodiac rides, on scenic cruises to follow whale families and iceberg views. But sometimes the drivers get a little naughty.

On one SOB ride, the driver gunned the engine to careen around floating ice on our way back to the ship. Emily and I shrieked and squealed with laughter as water sprayed our faces and drenched our waterproof outerwear as if we were in some sort of water park attraction. As we disembarked, the other passengers thanked us for taking the two seats in the back — the ones most likely to get drenched.

Education as entertainment

The biggest social event on a Viking Polaris Antarctica cruise is not necessarily the first glimpse of the continent's towering icebergs and snow-covered mountains. It's the weather balloon launch.

All week, our shipmates asked the expedition team, "When will you launch the weather balloon?" When the auspicious date was finally announced, we all set our phone alarms so as not to miss the big morning event.

On the day, I climbed up to Deck 7 (usually off-limits to guests) to find not only a crowd of passengers, but the dining team handing out cups of coffee spiked with Amarula liqueur.

The atmosphere was festive as Meghan, the chief scientist, explained how weather balloons worked, and we all excitedly counted down to the release as if it were New Year's Eve. Afterward, the nerdiest of us crowded around a projection screen in Expedition Central to watch as the balloon's recording device reported back on air temperature, pressure and humidity at different elevations.

Viking Polaris has no activities team, as its officers are quick to tell you, because Antarctica provides the entertainment. But aboard the ship, education takes center stage in most of the activities.

The ship's 22-person-strong expedition team is made up of mountain and kayak guides, but also naturalists, biologists and other experts. They lead the daily briefings with information about landings and itinerary changes, but they also host presentations on topics ranging from penguins and sea birds to glaciers and global warming, often with some cheeky humor and cartoons thrown in to keep topics from getting too dry.

And while every expedition ship in Antarctica sets sail with an expedition team, only Viking employs a full-time crew of scientists who record actual data on board and send it off to the line's research partners to analyze.

A chief scientist and two assistants live aboard the ship and collect water samples to study microplastics and phytoplankton, take video of sea life for polar species studies and send up weather balloons to contribute data to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Their partners include the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the University of Western Australia and the University of Cambridge's Scott Polar Research Institute.

The ship's working lab is off-limits to passengers except for a few times during a cruise when they're welcomed in to look at microplastic samples or phytoplankton under microscopes. These events were always well attended, so much so that sometimes it was hard to get a good view of the scientists.

Some of us might have been a tad disappointed that guests couldn't participate in most of the real data collection on board. The consolation is knowing that your vacation dollars are doing more than putting money in the pockets of travel company owners — they're funding actual scientific research, as well.

Adventure for everyone

Halfway through our cruise, after yet another day spent riding in Zodiacs and grinning like dorks at the adorable antics of gentoo penguins, Emily decided to video chat with her parents in Australia. (Let that sink in for a moment — video chatting from Antarctica to Australia on a cruise ship.)

"I'm so jealous of your adventure," her mom said on the call. "I'm too old to do that now."

My friend — and Viking and its entire expedition department — begged to differ.

I don't know who Emily's parents thought were cruising with us aboard our ship, but it was certainly not overrun with sporty tech bros or outdoors enthusiasts accustomed to roughing it in the wilderness.

Instead, our shipmates on this no-kids-allowed ship were mainly retired couples with the occasional family group of older parents with adult (30-plus) children looking to visit a bucket list destination in safety and comfort.

Essentially, our ship was filled with people just like Emily's parents: well-traveled, active folks who are curious about the world and want to experience it all. But now, instead of settling for the old, renovated Russian ice-breakers or bare-bones expedition vessels that used to be the only options for exploring remote destinations, they can choose a more comfortable option. Our shipmates preferred Viking's thoughtfully designed and spacious accommodations, choice of elevated dining options and inviting onboard spaces over the experience found on many other, especially older, expedition ships.

The younger travelers on the ship appreciated the spacious gym, opportunities to kayak and late-night bars with a welcoming vibe. Older guests appreciated the opportunities for waiter-served, sit-down meals; the way the ship and crew made getting on and off the ship for landing opportunities easier; and the flexible nature of the daily schedule. (You could race from event to event or enjoy a leisurely afternoon reading in The Living Room.)

When we finally had a landing on the Antarctica peninsula proper, the expedition leader announced that his team would do everything they could to make sure every passenger had the chance to at least set foot on land, even if they weren't up for a walk through the snow.

The only folks Viking Polaris can't accommodate are extra-adventurous travelers who are looking for multiple landings a day, polar plunges, the option to camp out on the peninsula or more active hikes, kayaks or snowshoe adventures.

Also, rules for cruise ship visits to the Antarctic peninsula state that only 100 passengers (plus expedition staff members) can be ashore at any given landing at a time, and ships carrying more than 200 passengers can only land at specific locations. The result is that Viking Polaris does not have full access to all the landing sites on the peninsula and also that guests have limited time ashore to make sure everyone on board can rotate through, 100 people at a time.

Friendly atmosphere

At the World Cafe, our waitress Celeste approached our table with a sly smile and presented Emily with a dish of coconut gelato she hadn't ordered.

Emily had asked the previous day if any coconut gelato was available, and Celeste had gone down into the galley and fetched her some, even though it wasn't on the day's ice cream rotation. Emily had been so happy about the treat that Celeste took it upon herself to repeat the experience the following day.

Celeste was not the only crew member to go above and beyond to make our stay on Viking Polaris memorable. I don't think I've chatted as much with my room stewards on other ships as I did with Rico and Joko, who were always in our hallway and would come out of whichever room they were cleaning to greet us and ask us how our day was.

Grace at Manfredi's moved mountains (or maybe just tables) to accommodate our requests for group dinners, and Santosh at the World Cafe made us vegetarian chickpea curry on request and fetched me chile oil from below decks to spice up my eggs at breakfast. The expedition team members were always happy to take our photos, point out whales or chat with us out on deck.

The friendly ethos of the crew quickly spread to the guests — or maybe Viking passengers self-select for congeniality. Every time we got a drink in the Explorers' Lounge, Emily and I would find ourselves in conversation with whoever was seated next to us. The folks we shared a submersible ride with or the folks who always worked out in the fitness center at the same time as me would greet us when we met in the buffet or in line at The Hangar.

(The only exception to this rule was in the ship's self-serve launderettes. Like the wilds of Antarctica, those were a penguin-eats-penguin, survival-of-the-fittest, lawless outland — and you'd better watch your back ... and your wet clothing.)

I admit I was nervous about spending 11 nights on a cruise ship in the middle of nowhere, but by the time we disembarked in Ushuaia, I found I was a bit teary about leaving. The ship had quickly become my home, and the crew and my shipmates my family, and I knew I would miss them all.

I didn't have the luxury of trying multiple ships sailing expeditions to Antarctica, but it didn't matter. The first one was a hit, and my shipmates and I discovered that for a comfortable adventure to the ends of the earth, Viking Polaris was "just right."

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The Return of Viking Cruises to Antarctica

Viking Cruises announces the commencement of its third Antarctic expedition cruise season aboard the Viking Octantis and its sister ship, the Viking Polaris .

Both ships will spend the southern summer in Antarctica before returning to the Great Lakes of North America for voyages in spring, summer, and early autumn.

To meet the strong demand for Antarctic travel, Viking has opened reservations for the 2025-2026 season, including a new 87-day expedition cruise departing in September 2025. The itinerary starts from Nuuk , Greenland, and concludes in Ushuaia , Argentina, allowing guests to explore the natural beauty and historical waterways of the Canadian High Arctic. They will then sail along the eastern coasts of North and South America, stopping in Caribbean ports and Peru, exploring Chilean glaciers before heading to Antarctica.

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Gentoo penguins in Antarctica

“ As we welcome guests for the third season in Antarctica, we are pleased to introduce even more opportunities for curious travelers to experience this phenomenal region in the comfort of Viking ,” said Torstein Hagen , President of Viking. “ By creating expeditions for our ideal traveler, whom we call ‘The Thinking Person,’ our guests can explore some of the Earth’s most pristine destinations in the most responsible way possible, also participating in significant scientific discoveries. During my journey to Antarctica, I witnessed firsthand the incredible landscapes and wildlife that this fascinating continent has to offer. In my opinion, everyone should make a trip to Antarctica at least once in their lifetime .”

guest Viking Octantis in Antarctica.

Viking Octantis in Antarctica.

Hagen recently met with the award-winning British photographer Alastair Miller , engaging in a pleasant conversation about his journey in the “White Continent” aboard the Viking Polaris . They discussed the intriguing story of how Hagen’s passion for travel and interest in remote destinations began during his childhood when he sent a letter to Ushuaia from his home in Norway.

The arrival of Viking expedition ships in Antarctica also marks the completion of two inaugural cruises circumnavigating the globe from North to South: the 71-day Longitudinal World Cruise II from Duluth to Ushuaia and the 70-day Longitudinal World Cruise III from Milwaukee to Ushuaia.

skiing near Paradise Bay, Antarctica.

onshore in Antarctica.

These highly acclaimed Grand Voyages offer guests a variety of destinations in a single itinerary, sailing from the heart of North America through engineering marvels like the Welland and Panama Canals , to the fjords of Chile, and finally to Antarctica. Following the upcoming third season of Viking in the Great Lakes, the Viking Polaris will embark on the Longitudinal World Cruise IV from Milwaukee to Ushuaia in October 2024, and the Viking Octantis will embark on another itinerary of Longitudinal World Cruise II.

Viking , a global leader in scientific enrichment on expeditions, collaborates with prestigious academic institutions such as the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology , and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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Researchers visiting from partner institutions are part of the Viking Expedition Team , comprising 36 experts who guide guests through significant scientific work, providing explanations during land excursions, as well as world-class lectures onboard.

Viking Octantis in Antarctica

In early 2023, the Viking Expedition Team published the company’s first scientific article following observations of the rarely encountered giant phantom jellyfish (Stygiomedusa gigantea). Sightings took place during submarine dives in the coastal waters of the Antarctic Peninsula in early 2022. Written by two of Viking’s leading scientists, the article was published in Polar Research , the scientific journal of the Norwegian Polar Institute.

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Viking Expedition Ships

The vessels of the Polar Class, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris , accommodate 378 guests in 189 cabins. Specifically designed for expeditions, they boast ideal dimensions for safety, ensuring comfort even in remote destinations. With more internal and external observation areas than other expedition ships, guests are as close as possible to Earth’s most magnificent landscapes.

Highlights of these two ships include The Aula , a splendid panoramic auditorium inspired by the famous ceremonial hall at the University of Oslo, formerly the venue for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Used for lectures, daily briefings, documentaries, and films, this spectacular venue features a retractable 4K laser-projected screen that unveils floor-to-ceiling windows and 270° views.

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The Finse Terrace is an outdoor lounge just above sea level with recessed seating, designed to provide guests with the same comfort as inside the ship while enjoying the spectacular scenery. Named after the Finse plateau in Norway, where some of the greatest polar explorers, including Nansen and Amundsen, trained for their expeditions to the North and South Poles.

The Hangar is an innovative docking point, the first of its kind, facilitating the embarkation and disembarkation of boats for special operations and other equipment, keeping guests and crew protected from marine elements.

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Viking_Octantis_2022_The_Hangar

The Bow is a significant platform at the bow with a view, while in inclement weather, The Shelter is a comfortable, partially enclosed space where guests can warm up with a hot beverage before returning outdoors.

Onboard, there is also The Science Lab , a large space developed in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and Akvaplan-Niva. It is designed to support a wide range of research activities and is equipped with wet and dry laboratory facilities. Guests have access to the Science Lab to experiment and learn with scientists how to undertake meaningful research.

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Expedition Central is the place where the expedition team can consult with guests on expedition activities and share knowledge about destinations, using 3D-printed maps, digital screens, and an advanced cartographic table for spatial data visualization.

Speaking of dining, the Dining Choices restaurant offers refined cuisine with typical regional dishes and classics always available, while the casual World Café offers an open kitchen, a bakery, premium fish grilling, and sushi, along with a wide range of international flavors. Mamsen’s , named after the matriarch of the Hagen family, is the restaurant serving Scandinavian-inspired dishes, while Manfredi’s offers the best of Italian cuisine.

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After a day of exploration, The Nordic Spa offers guests the opportunity to experience the latest healthy Nordic traditions, with a heated indoor pool with large windows and a badestamp, the typical outdoor hot tub.

The Explorers’ Lounge is located on the highest deck of the ship, with floor-to-ceiling windows: from here, you can admire the magnificent scenery, share discoveries with fellow travelers, or enjoy a drink.

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The Living Room on the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris is the ideal lounge to admire the view, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. Here, you will also find the library, which, like on all Viking ships, is curated by the acclaimed Heywood Hill bookstore in London and the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge.

The Nordic Balcony is a novelty for this class of Viking expedition ships: all cabins are equipped with a Nordic Balcony, a veranda that transforms into an outdoor panoramic platform with an elbow-height observation shelf to stabilize binoculars or a camera.

Guests can choose from six cabin categories, ranging in size from 20 sqm to 114 sqm; all these cabins feature a Nordic balcony, a king-size bed, and a spacious bathroom with a glass shower, heated floor, and anti-fog mirror. Each cabin also has an exclusive drying closet where warm air circulates to dry clothing and expedition equipment.

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Viking Octantis.

The Expedition Ship Suites , namely the 30 sqm Nordic Junior Suite and the 54 sqm Explorer Suite on the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, are similar to the other suites in the Viking fleet. They have wooden details and amenities that include larger spaces and additional seating, an expanded bathroom with a large shower and double sinks, welcome champagne, a well-stocked minibar replenished daily, free laundry, restaurant priority reservations, and more.

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The Explorer Suites have two separate rooms, a Nordic Balcony, and an external veranda. Additionally, each ship has an Owner’s Suite of 114 sqm consisting of three rooms: a living room, a dining/meeting room, and a bedroom, as well as a private balcony of 73 sqm where the traditional Norwegian badestamp, i.e., the hot tub, is located.

Viking expedition ships have set a new standard for responsible travel, with a high-energy efficiency design exceeding the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEDI) requirements by almost 38%. In addition to an integrated bow creating a longer waterline, engines with heat recovery systems, and Azipod electric propulsion, the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris have received one of the industry’s first SILENT-E certifications: the highest level of certification for silent ship propulsion, minimizing underwater noise pollution.

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It is a profound experience to set eyes upon Antarctica for the first time. Breathtaking vistas, otherworldly wildlife and the journey itself leave an indelible mark on visitors. Here is a land of paradoxes: the world's biggest desert that is also the world's largest ice sheet, nearly two miles thick. Virtually unexplored just 150 years ago, this continent belongs to no nation, and is protected by an international treaty for peaceful scientific pursuit.

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Few places are as otherworldly as Antarctica, with its raw sculpted landscapes awash in blue and white. Here nature is at its most flawless—an experience sure to transform visitors. The ideal time to explore is the Antarctic summer, starting in November when cold, windy weather turns to 24-hour sunlight and temperatures rise to a comfortable 32° F. The ice melts, unlocking frozen seaways. Activities maximize your interaction and virtually all are included: explore by Special Operation Boats, kayak, submarine, zodiac and more. Here are some highlights you may experience during your journey:

• Catch a glimpse of Gentoo penguins, Weddel seals and blue whales
• Shore landings offer amazing opportunities for wildlife viewing
• Included Special Operation Boats excursions present stunning scenery for photos
• Cross-country ski or snowshoe into the peninsula’s interior
• Excursions include an undersea dive in a panoramic submarine
• As a citizen scientist, assist onboard scientists with research
• Gain bragging rights for crossing the legendary Drake Passage

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The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking cruise ship

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Fast-growing Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line.

Not only does the California-based company offer ocean cruises in almost every corner of the world, it also offers river cruises on many of the world’s major rivers.

That’s notably different from most cruise lines. Typically, cruise lines operate either ocean cruises or river cruises but not both. That gives them a smaller range of itineraries.

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Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note, from the Douro in Portugal to (until recently) the Volga in Russia.

The company also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Southeast Asia, and it just began river trips on the Mississippi River .

There are 80 river ships in Viking’s fleet — an astounding number. None of its main competitors among river lines catering to North Americans, which include Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and AmaWaterways , have anywhere near that number of vessels.

Related: First look at Viking’s stylish new Nile River ship

Among ocean cruise destinations, Viking has a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which it considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) However, you’ll find Viking’s nine traditional ocean ships everywhere from North America to Asia and Australia.

Last year, the line began cruising to Antarctica with its first expedition ship — a type of vessel built specifically for travel to remote, hard-to-reach places. Viking now has two such vessels.

Among the line’s voyages, there’s everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages.

Overwhelmed with choices? Here are the five best Viking cruise destinations where the line can truly offer you a memorable vacation.

Scandinavia and Northern Europe

Some of Viking’s most interesting itineraries are around Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, with many beginning or ending in Norway — the homeland of the company’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen.

As Hagen once told me, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea are what the company considers “Viking country” — a region where it wants to dominate.

During summers, in particular, Viking devotes an unusually large number of its ships to itineraries around Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and other Northern Europe destinations such as Iceland. Many, notably, use the relatively small but famously scenic Norwegian city of Bergen (population 286,000) as a gateway, something no other line is doing. That allows for unusual variations on the typical Baltic Sea or Norwegian fjords cruise.

The line’s most popular route in the region, “Viking Homelands,” is a two-week-long, one-way trip between Bergen and Stockholm that combines several days of exploring the fjord region of Norway’s west coast with more-typical Baltic cruise destinations such as St. Petersburg, Russia, and Helsinki.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Note that, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Viking has pulled the St. Petersburg stop, as well as stops in Finland and Estonia from the Viking Homelands itinerary; the trips instead feature extra stops in Norway and Denmark. It’s unlikely St. Petersburg will return to the itinerary until the war in Ukraine is resolved.

Viking also offers a 14-night itinerary that includes several stops in the northernmost part of the country above the Arctic Circle. Dubbed “Into the Midnight Sun,” the one-way route between Bergen and London is unique because it combines calls in far-north Honningsvag and Tromso, Norway, with visits to Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands. Though part of the United Kingdom, these archipelagos have ties to Norwegian and Viking history.

Itineraries that will take you from Bergen to Iceland or even as far away as France, Portugal and Spain also are available.

Viking’s Scandinavia and Northern Europe trips range widely in length from just seven nights to a whopping 28 nights.

Among the longest sailings that Viking offers that include calls in Northern Europe are one-way, 28-night voyages between Bergen and New York City. The trips include stops in Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada.

In Northern Europe, Viking ships mostly sail out of Bergen, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London as well as Reykjavik.

The Mediterranean

Viking has grown into a major player in Mediterranean sailings, with more than 30 distinct itineraries that include stops in the region.

The trips include voyages focused specifically on the Western Mediterranean or Eastern Mediterranean and some that include stops across both areas.

Typical of the latter is the line’s 14-night “Mediterranean Antiquities” routing, a one-way trip between Athens and Barcelona that stops in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Monaco, France and Spain.

More-focused Mediterranean itineraries include the line’s nine-night “Empires of the Mediterranean” voyages between Venice and Athens, which mostly concentrate on stops along the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea in Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.

In the Mediterranean, the line’s main hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens), Greece; and Istanbul.

Related: The complete guide to Viking cabins and suites  

Europe riverways

Viking is, quite simply, the giant of river cruising in Europe — at least among lines that cater to English speakers. The company operates around 70 river ships on a broad swath of the continent’s rivers — far more than any other river line catering to North Americans.

In all, the line accounts for about half of all river cruises taken by North Americans in the region. The next biggest player in Europe river cruises for North Americans, AmaWaterways, is less than half the size.

Among the rivers in Europe where Viking has a major presence are the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also offered cruises on the Dnieper River in Ukraine. The voyages have been suspended since Russia invaded the country in early 2022.

On nearly all of the rivers, the line offers multiple itineraries with lengths ranging from seven nights to as many as 22 nights.

Among 10 different itineraries on the Rhine River alone, offerings range from a seven-night “Rhine Getaway” from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, to a 22-night “European Sojourn” from Amsterdam to Bucharest, Romania. The latter adds travel on the Main and Danube rivers to days on the Rhine.

Viking offers some of the most intimate and elegant cruises on the Nile, with three ships including the recently unveiled, 82-passenger Viking Osiris — one of our favorite vessels on the river.

All three of Viking’s Nile ships operate the same seven-night Nile cruise itinerary that Viking pairs with a four-night stay at a hotel in Cairo (three nights before the cruise and one night after) to create an 11-night “Pharaohs and Pyramids” tour of Egypt.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s loyalty program

The cruise portion of the tour includes visits to the historic temples of Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Dendera and Abu Simbel as well as a visit to the iconic Valley of the Kings. The stay in Cairo brings a visit to the pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and other sites.

Viking Osiris is the first of four sister ships that Viking plans to launch on the Nile by 2025 as it doubles its footprint in Egypt. The vessels offer a clean-lined, Scandinavian-influenced design that mimics the look of Viking’s Europe-based vessels.

Notably, the ship features an entire deck of sprawling suites that rival anything else found on the Nile for luxury and comfort. Each comes with two full-size rooms — a large living room with a residential feel and an adjacent bedroom with a walk-in closet and bathroom. Each suite also has an outdoor balcony with seating for two — something you don’t always see on Nile ships.

Viking is a newcomer to cruises to Antarctica, but the destination is a big growth area for the line. Viking recently added two new, 378-passenger expedition cruise vessels specifically built to travel to the White Continent.

Dubbed Viking Octantis, the first of these vessels began sailings to Antarctica in February 2022. The second ship in the series, Viking Polaris, has just joined its sister in Antarctica this year. Together, the two ships are already making waves in the market for Antarctica cruises, in part because they have several new and unusual features.

Most notable is The Hangar, an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to two of each ship’s exploratory vessels while still in the protected interior of the ship. A first for an expedition ship, it’s something that is significantly improving the experience for passengers heading out on Antarctica exploration.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

In another first for polar expedition cruise vessels, every cabin on both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel.

Viking offers several Antarctic itineraries, with the typical trip starting with a night at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, to board one of the two expedition ships for an 11-night cruise to Antarctica and back. A longer version of the trip features 13 nights on board one of the ships and extra days in Antarctica.

Viking also offers Antarctica sailings that combine a visit to the White Continent with stops in the Falkland Islands, Uruguay and Brazil.

Viking Octantis, notably, also operated Viking’s first sailings around the Great Lakes this year. In 2023, both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris will spend their summers in the Great Lakes.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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