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Viking Second Expedition Ship, Viking Polaris Floated Out

Viking Second Expedition Ship, Viking Polaris Floated OutViking® recently announced that their newest ship Viking Polaris® was “floated out.” The news means that the ship has met a major construction milestone by touching water for the first time.

The ship is the cruise line’s second expedition ship and expects to welcome 378 guests on board when it sets sail. Viking Polaris’ identical sister ship, Viking Octantis®, was floated out in December 2020.

The Viking Polaris is Floated Out for the First Time Ever

The new ship debuts next summer and will spend its maiden season sailing from the Arctic and Antarctica. Viking Octanis is scheduled to debut early next year with sailings to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes.

Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking announced: “We are now one step closer to our launch of ‘the thinking person’s expedition,’ with new voyages that will allow our guests to explore the ends of the world and closer to home—in comfort. We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Fincantieri, who has helped us build the world’s most beautiful ocean ships and are now helping us perfect expedition cruising. We look forward to welcoming guests on board Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis next year.”

The Viking Polaris Will Sail in 2022

Viking Polaris’ float out ceremony took place on July 27. The float out is cause for excitement as it signifies that a ship has moved into the final stage of construction.

After the float out she was moved to a nearby outfitting dock for additional construction as well as an interior build-out. Once the final outfitting is completed Viking Polaris will be delivered to Fincantieri’s VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway.

The world renowned explorers Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft are the ceremonial godmothers to Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, respectively. Native Norwegian Arnesen was the first woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole in 1994. Bancroft is the first woman to ski to both poles.

Arnesen and Bancroft also have the distinction of being the first women to ski across Antarctica in 2001. They co-founded Bancroft Arnesen Explore / Access Water, an enterprise which seeks to engage and empower individuals to create a sustainable future.

Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft are Viking’s Ceremonial Godmothers

Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are small enough to navigate remote polar regions and the St. Lawrence River, but large enough to offer superior handling and stability in the choppiest of waters. Viking’s expedition ships have elegant and intimate public spaces similar to the line’s ocean cruise ships and exterior features geared for rough waters including stabilizers to decrease rolling by up to 50 percent.

While hosting guests the ships will also function as working research vessels. Additional amenities include expedition equipment such two-seater Arctic-tested kayaks and six-guest submarines that feature revolving seats and 270-degree spherical windows.

Guests have access to a Viking Expedition Kit containing boots, binoculars and waterproof pants and each ship features state of the art safety equipment including satellite phones, VHF radios, ropes, life jackets and a comprehensive shore survival kit. Excursion gear such as trekking poles, snowshoes and skis is available to all guests as are dynamic lectures and entertainment.

All staterooms feature a Nordic Balcony, a sunroom that converts into an al fresco viewing platform and guests can choose from six stateroom categories ranging from 222 sq. ft to 1,223 sq. ft.

For more info about the Viking Polaris second Viking Expedition ship, HERE!

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