Viking is celebrating the start of its second season in the Great Lakes region with the addition of the Viking Polaris® which arrived in Toronto for her first port of call. The Viking Polaris is the sister ship of the Viking Octantis® a vessel which began sailing in the Great Lakes in 2022 and returned to the magnificent North American waterways last month.
Viking now has two expedition vessels in the region, each capable of carrying nearly 380 guests. Both identical ships will stay in the Great Lakes region through September 2023. The sister ships sail on all five lakes and guests can choose from a variety of itineraries that operate between Toronto and Duluth.
Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen
Torstein Hagen is the chairman of Viking and he noted “We are proud to welcome both of our expedition ships to the Great Lakes. With historic canals that are engineering marvels, cities with thriving arts and culture and unmatched wilderness, this is a phenomenal region of North America that may be familiar to many—but few have had the opportunity to explore.”
“After our first full season of Great Lakes voyages in 2022, we are grateful for the warm welcome we received from each destination and look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to the region this season and in the years to come.”
Viking Polaris Makes Great Lakes Debut
Viking’s expedition vessels are designed specifically to navigate the Great Lakes and represent the newest, most modern fleet to explore this picturesque region of North America.
Along with their Great Lakes itineraries, Viking has made a significant commitment to local tourism and economic development for the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Canadian province of Ontario. And, all new for the 2023 season, Viking will also call on the new port of Cleveland, Ohio, during the brand new 15-day itinerary, Great Lakes Collection.
Great Lakes Collection Is The Latest Itinerary
Viking’s commitment to the Great Lakes ecosystem is reflected in their partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), which conducts research on the dynamic environment of the Great Lakes and coastal regions. In addition, Viking’s expedition ships are designated official NOAA/U.S. National Weather Service weather balloon stations, from which regular launches are conducted.
Viking Polaris Makes Great Lakes Debut in Toronto, Second Season Capacity Doubles
During Viking’s 2023—2024 sophomore season guests have six Great Lakes itineraries to choose from.
These include the brand new Great Lakes Collection (15 days between Toronto and Duluth) and the Canada & the Atlantic Coastline (16 day between Toronto and Ft. Lauderdale).
The Undiscovered Great Lakes (8 days Thunder Bay to Milwaukee) traverses the width of Lake Superior between Duluth and the Soo Locks, with guests able to discover sea caves by kayak and stroll the quaint, car-free streets of Mackinac Island.
The Great Lakes Explorer (8 days Milwaukee to Thunder Bay) itinerary takes in the granite islands that comprise Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, Mackinac Island, and the boreal forests of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park on Lake Superior’s northern shore.
The Niagara & The Great Lakes (8 days between Toronto and Milwaukee) expedition allows guests to experience the awe of powerful Niagara Falls and bird watch at Point Pelee. Experts guide tours through sheltered bays and woodlands that are home to complex ecosystems and hidden environmental gems.
The Canadian Discovery (13 days between New York and Toronto) treats guests to the remote wilds of eastern Canada which includes colonial outposts amid the rugged coast of the Canadian Maritimes. The itinerary travels the St. Lawrence River and has shore excursions in each port.
Viking Expedition Ships Traverse the Great Lakes
In addition Viking’s grand voyages between the Great Lakes and “the end of the world,” include the Viking Longitudinal World Cruise I, a 65-day journey from Antarctica to Milwaukee on May 5, 2023 and the September 2023 Viking Polaris Longitudinal World Cruise II from Duluth to Ushuaia, as well as Viking Octantis’ epic journey from Milwaukee to Ushuaia on the Longitudinal World Cruise III. Guests will take in engineering wonders like the Welland and Panama Canals, then the Chilean fjords, and finally nature’s frozen gem, Antarctica. The Viking Polaris will also sail the Longitudinal World Cruise IV from Milwaukee to Ushuaia in October 2024.
Viking Expedition Ships are Supremely Appointed
The Polar Class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris host 378 guests in 189 staterooms. The vessels are purpose-built for expeditions, blending safety with comfort in remote destinations. Highlights include The Aula, a stunning panoramic auditorium used for lectures, daily briefings, documentaries and films, which features a 4k laser-projected screen and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The ships offer the Finse Terrace, an outdoor lounge area just above sea level with recessed seating and lava rock “firepits” in which guests can dine al fresco while enjoying the dramatic scenery. There is also The Science Lab developed in partnership with the University of Cambridge and Akvaplan-Niva, it supports a broad range of research activities and is equipped with wet and dry laboratory facilities and guests have supervised access to participate with scientists undertaking meaningful research.
Viking guests have several dining choices including the casual World Café, Mamsen’s, named for the Hagen family matriarch, and Manfredi’s which offers the best of Italian cuisine.
After a day of exploration guests can relax in the Nordic Spa which offers an indoor heated pool and a badestamp (wood-sided hot tub) that is open to the outside.
And, in a first for polar expedition vessels, all staterooms on board Viking’s expedition ships feature a Nordic Balcony, while guests can choose from six stateroom categories that range from 222 sq. ft. to 1,223 sq. ft.
Viking partners with the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge University, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to maintain a world class scientific enrichment environment. Dozens of experts accompany each journey as part of the Viking Expedition Team, including field research scientists, general naturalists, mountain guides, kayak guides, submarine pilots and specialists (ornithology, geology, higher predator biology and history) who deliver daily briefings and enlightening lectures about each destination.
Finally, Viking’s expedition ships showcase the cruise line’s dedication to environmentally responsible travel with an energy-efficient design that exceeds the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements by nearly 38%. Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris have received one of the industry’s first SILENT-E notations—the highest-level certification for quiet ship propulsion, minimizing underwater noise pollution.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Viking Travel. Come back here often for Viking Travel news and updates.
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