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This ultimate adventure takes you to the Antarctic peninsula, where you will witness towering glaciers, snow-covered landscapes, immense icebergs and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing. 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. More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Maximize the value of your overseas flight and enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities.Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change. 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.
Inviting spaces
Observe the wildlife of South Georgia and keep watch for king penguins and seals. Explore the waterways of Charleston by kayak and search for Low Country birdlife. Discover hidden inlets by kayak or admire scenic vistas while hiking historic trails. Set out by kayak to explore the waterways of Greenland’s coast or embark on a hike.
NEW! The Americas & Antarctic Explorer
Since there are no formal nights aboard Viking ships, guests are encouraged to dress in “elegant casual” attire in the evenings. 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). Learn about the exciting adventures of Antarctic explorers, including Sir Ernest Shackleton. 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. The friendly ethos of the crew quickly spread to the guests — or maybe Viking passengers self-select for congeniality.
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Uncover the rich and intriguing whaling history of Red Bay and its surrounding waters. Set out to explore the stunning polar landscapes of the remote Canadian High Arctic. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don’t cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise
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). One place where Viking Polaris passengers benefit from the larger size is in the extra amenities, such as the fitness center and spa. Similar to Viking's ocean ships, Viking Polaris' fitness center has two rooms, one with cardio and weight equipment and the other with mats for yoga. Our SOB trip brought us within 20 meters of humpback whales, so close that we could hear them as they dove. The SOB itself is a game changer, and Viking is the only cruise line that has boats like this.
The Daily
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office click here. I'm somewhere around 65 degrees latitude, sipping a latte and posting photos from my first Antarctica Zodiac ride on Facebook, seated on a leather sofa with a Nordic blanket around my legs. Sail the Drake Passage; its waters are among the coldest and the deepest on Earth. The World Café is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and does not require a reservation.
For current fares, please call a Viking Expert: 1-800-381-4596 or Request a Quote today.
I Almost Missed My Arctic Cruise: Don't Make the Same Boneheaded Mistake I Did - Cruise Critic
I Almost Missed My Arctic Cruise: Don't Make the Same Boneheaded Mistake I Did.
Posted: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
While all these toys sound great, whether you'll actually get to use them is debatable. We had made one landing in four days, with the rest of our time outside sticking to scenic Zodiac cruising. Programs like cloud identification and Happy Whale, where people can send in photos of whale flukes to track migration patterns, are easy to do and require a minimum of effort from passengers. Where passengers will really notice the size is in the sheer amount of public spaces. Viking Polaris boasts multiple outdoor decks, perfect for wildlife and iceberg viewing.
All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. The cruise ship fuel surcharge is additional revenue to Viking Cruises, as are any additional charges relating to currency fluctuation other than for fully paid cruise fares and full fares, which fluctuations are beyond our control.
Celebrate an unforgettable holiday season on this ultimate adventure that features two additional days of discovery on the Antarctic peninsula. Witness towering glaciers, snow-covered landscapes, massive icebergs and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing. In the footsteps of explorers such as Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott, you will be one of the few to discover the world’s last truly wild frontier. Each day brings new surprises and the opportunity to change plans to maximize wildlife sightings and adapt to ever-changing weather. The 13-day “Antarctic Explorer” itinerary is bookended by more than a day of sailing the Drake Passage, notoriously known for its rough seas.
You can take a self-guided tour of the specially-curated pieces aboard using the Viking Voyager app (available onboard). Viking® has marked the launch of its highly-anticipated expeditions as the new purpose-built Viking Octantis® started its first Antarctic season. 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." 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. 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.
The Viking Octantis will spend the Austral summer in Antarctica, before traveling north to be named in April 2022 in New York City by her ceremonial godmother, Liv Arnesen, the world-renowned Norwegian explorer and educator. Arnesen became the first woman in the world to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole in 1994. She sailed on board the Viking Octantis for the ship’s first two expeditions to Antarctica and recorded a special video message to welcome guests, which can be viewed here. 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.
Viking Returns to Antarctica, Adds 87-Day Expedition from the Arctic to Antarctica - TravelPulse
Viking Returns to Antarctica, Adds 87-Day Expedition from the Arctic to Antarctica.
Posted: Tue, 28 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
We lucked out with moderate conditions — not quite the “Drake Lake,” but not the “Drake Shake,” either — both going and returning. Our captain was so conscientious of ensuring a comfortable ride that he made the decision to depart the continent a day early to avoid a weather system other cruise ships chanced — a decision fellow seasickness-prone passengers applauded. Viking has started its third expedition season in Antarctica with the arrival of the Viking Octantis and her sistership, the Viking Polaris, to the Antarctic Peninsula. The two expedition cruise ships will spend the entire southern summer sailing around the white continent. In addition to being comfortable passenger cruise ships, Octantis and Polaris are research vessels.
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. 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. In short, everything I needed to combat the harsh sun and dry air of Antarctica. 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.
That's because IAATO -- the organization that regulates tour operators in Antarctica -- limits the number of people who can be at landing sites at the same time. To be able to get all passengers on land, Viking Polaris needs two consecutive time slots at each site, which can be difficult to snag during the short high season. The company, under the leadership of Chairman Torstein Hagen, started out by modernizing river cruising. Viking then took on ocean sailings with a remarkably well-designed series of 930-passenger ships, meant to appeal to a more intellectual type of traveler who still wants plenty of amenities. Witness stunning vistas, unique wildlife and diverse cultures as you journey on a memorable voyage from the Earth’s far north to the extreme south. Admire Nuuk’s rugged beauty and the icy wilderness of the Canadian High Arctic.
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. 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. 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. 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.
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